exporting audio in ableton

[ogudaktig]

Hello,

I need to know which bit depth, sample rate, and file type is appropriate, or best, in certain occasions.

Like for instance, I just want to upload my mix to soundcloud to share with the world. Which bit depth, sample rates, and file type should I have?


Would I change any of those options if I wanted to make a cd?


Thank you for your help.

Also, I understand what normalize does, but I don't understand it's practical application, could you help me out with that too?

If I sound like a noob, I am.

Thanks again,
Dave

[~X~]

for cd encode it 16 bit wav, 44khz. thats red book standard.

for soundcloud id encode MP3:320kbps/44khz/16 bit. Wav is better quality, yes, but some people have slow internet and wouldnt like waiting for a 30-40mb wav file to load to hear 3 mins of music.

Normalize brings up the level of the audio setting the highest peak in the audio to the volume specified. The entire audio is brought up by the same amount, so its not like compression.
Ex: You have an audio file that peaks at -5.7dbfs and you want to make it louder. You set the to 0dbfs and apply the effect. Ittl proccess the audio so that the volume is raised enough that the highest part in the audio (-5.7dbfs in this example) is brought to the volume specified (0dbfs).

[krushing]

Soundcloud re-encodes the stream @ 128kbps anyway, so it might be ideal to just upload the wav version.

[ogudaktig]

Thank you.