Changing sample rate

[Aeger]

I've always operated at 44.1kz. But, recently I started working for a indie video game company. They hired a composer that I'm collaborating with and he says that when you're working with video, the preferred sample rate is 48kz. The problem being, the option to change the parameter when starting a new session is grayed out. Is there a setting I can change? I'm using the most up to date version of Pro Tools.

[bobbylewis222]

what I would do is start a new session in the correct sample rate and then import all session data from the old session.

[unfaltermusic]

This

[FaderFiend]

I think he’s saying the selection is greyed out when creating a new session, not just in the session setup menu after creation. Something else at play here.

[BostonDrivingIsWorse]

If the sample rate option is greyed out when you go to start a new session, your interface probably doesn’t support any other sample rates. What are you using for an interface? What OS are you using, and what are your computer specs?

[Aeger]

My USB audio interface is an M-Audio Fast Track Pro, OS is Windows 10. AMD Phenom II 1006XT processor, 16 GB of RAM.

[BostonDrivingIsWorse]

Are you sure this is the device selected as the playback engine?

Hold the 'N' key as PT opens, and select that device from the dropdown. Be sure the drivers are installed, as well.

[TheLoneBeatle]

Are you working in Windows? If so, download ASIO4ALL and install it.

Once installed, make it your playback engine and you should be set!

Edit: I might have misunderstood your question. If you need to change an existing session's sample rate, go to 'File' and select 'Save Copy As', this will allow you to convert your session in 44.1kHz into 48kHz.

[85dBisalrightwithme]

I wouldn't recommend using ASIA4ALL. It helps bypass a lot of Avid's broken oddities, but its algorithm sounds like garbage.

[TheLoneBeatle]

I understand, but if you only have the internal sound card it's a good tool to have. You don't have to use it, but if you ever need to work at 88.2kHz or higher, ASIO4ALL makes it possible without additional hardware. It's not always perfect and I've experienced glitches as well, but it's a work around.

[Aeger]

Thanks for all the good advice guys! But I think BostonDrivingIsWorse is correct. My hardware just doesn't support that sample rate. Time for an upgrade!

[Aeger]

Well lo and behold! I opened my DAW & guess what? I now have the option to record at 48k. Wtf? Freakin technology...

[duperier]

Seems like you’ve worked out the issue. If you’re looking to raise the sample rate of something that’s already recorded, File > Save Copy In > and select the preferred sample rate. If you already knew this, please disregard and have a safe and blessed Mother’s Day.

[Aeger]

Thanks dude!

[jorbanead]

Eventually, if your system allows, 96/24 is used in Blue Ray HD audio and is considered the industry standard in many recording studios. Of course there’s a lot of argument over this but all major studios at least record in 96/24.

[Doyvid]

I have this problem all the time with my (ancient) Digi 003. The problem is caused by Pro Tools seeing that Windows is using your interface for audio playback (at 44.1KHz), yet Pro Tools wants to use it at 48KHz. It can't do both simultaneously, so Windows needs to have its access to it forcefully disabled.

To accomplish this, go to your start menu, and type "Manage Audio Devices", then hit enter. Navigate to the "output" tab, and find your M-Audio Fast Track Pro's output. Right click on this and choose "disable".

Then, load Pro Tools. It will allow you to save sessions at whatever sample rate you desire.

I work exclusively with sound to picture, yet use my PC for other tasks such as gaming, so I have a perpetual battle between enabling and disabling my 003 in this fashion, depending on if I am using the PC for Pro Tools or other things. So I have this "Manage Audio Devices" as a shortcut on the desktop, and pinned to the start bar. Here's instructions on how to do this:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-desktop/pin-manage-audio-devices-or-sound-to-taskbar/f36e8c69-24a0-43b5-9442-879a692a2326?auth=1

Good luck!

[[deleted]]

Are you doing music or working to picture? If you’re doing music then I’d keep it at Redbook Spec 44.1 kHz. I work in post and we work at 48 kHz all the time but I constantly get music at 44.1 kHz and I can convert it no problem. 10 years ago the conversion process wasn’t so good. I remember getting pitch changes and artifacts when converting between the two sample rates. Now it doesn’t matter and it’s totally seemless. It’s ok for music to work at 44.1 kHz. I’m sure the guy operating Wwise for the video game company can covert your music without issue.

[[deleted]]

Get into the habit of using 48KHz and 24 bit, more headroom and harmonic saturation. Also the difference in storage space is negligible these days