Editing Sampling (signal processing) (section)

==== Bit depth ====
{{See also|Audio bit depth}}

Audio is typically recorded at 8-, 16-, and 24-bit depth; which yield a theoretical maximum [[signal-to-quantization-noise ratio]] (SQNR) for a pure [[sine wave]] of, approximately; 49.93&nbsp;[[Decibel|dB]], 98.09&nbsp;dB, and 122.17&nbsp;dB.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.analog.com/static/imported-files/tutorials/MT-001.pdf |title=MT-001: Taking the Mystery out of the Infamous Formula, "SNR=6.02N + 1.76dB," and Why You Should Care}}</ref> CD quality audio uses 16-bit samples. [[Thermal noise]] limits the true number of bits that can be used in quantization. Few analog systems have [[Signal-to-noise ratio|signal to noise ratios]] (SNR) exceeding 120&nbsp;dB. However, [[digital signal processing]] operations can have very high dynamic range, consequently it is common to perform mixing and mastering operations at 32-bit precision and then convert to 16- or 24-bit for distribution.