By Tug·July 13, 2026·5 min read

What Bit Depth Should You Record At?

Record in 24-bit as your default, or 32-bit float if your gear offers it. Keep 16-bit for a finished file, not for recording. That covers what almost everyone needs. The higher the bit depth, the more room you have before a recording clips, which is really what this choice is about. Here is the plain version.

24-bit by default, float if you have it

24-bit is the safe, universal choice for recording. It gives you plenty of headroom, so you can record at a sensible level and lift it later with no noise. If your recorder or interface offers 32-bit float, use that, because it means a take basically cannot clip.

Save 16-bit for final delivery, like a CD-quality file. It is fine for a finished track but leaves too little margin while you are actually recording.

What bit depth actually is

Bit depth is how finely the level of each moment of audio is measured. More bits means a wider span from the quietest sound to the loudest, and more headroom before the signal hits the ceiling and clips. 16-bit gives about 96dB of that range, and 24-bit gives about 144dB.

That extra range is not about sounding richer. It is about room. More headroom means you can record safely below the ceiling and still have a clean, quiet noise floor.

16-bit vs 24-bit

24-bit lets you record at a comfortable, lower level and raise it afterwards without dragging up hiss. 16-bit works for a finished file but gives you little room to work, so a moment louder than you expected can clip.

The simple rule: record in 24-bit, and deliver a 16-bit file only if something specifically asks for it. There is no downside to recording at 24-bit.

32-bit float: the clip-proof option

32-bit float works differently. It stores audio in a way that gives enormous headroom, so a recording effectively cannot clip, and you can raise or lower the level afterwards with no penalty. That is a real safety net when levels are unpredictable, like a live take or a loud transient you did not see coming.

It is worth being honest about what it does, though. On a normal single converter it protects your project after the sound is digital, it does not raise the limit of the mic or the converter itself. There is a fuller explanation in the 32-bit float piece.

Where Reel fits

Reel records in 32-bit float, so your takes have huge headroom and you can re-level them freely without adding noise or losing quality. You still set a sensible level, but you are recording with a safety net rather than walking a tightrope.

See how Reel works

A quick tour of Reel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 24-bit better than 16-bit for recording?

Yes, for recording. 24-bit gives far more headroom, so you can record at a safe level and raise it later without noise. 16-bit is fine for a finished file but leaves little margin while recording. Record in 24-bit and deliver 16-bit only if asked.

What is 32-bit float?

A recording format with enormous headroom, so a take effectively cannot clip and you can re-level it afterwards with no penalty. On a normal converter it protects the audio once it is digital, rather than raising the mic or converter's own limit.

Does bit depth affect sound quality?

Mostly it affects headroom and noise floor rather than making audio sound richer. Higher bit depth gives you more room to record safely below clipping and lift levels cleanly. 24-bit is the practical sweet spot for recording.

Should I record in 32-bit float?

If your recorder or interface offers it, yes, because it gives a clip-proof safety net and free re-leveling. If not, 24-bit is an excellent default. Set a sensible input level either way.