16, 24,or 32 Bit Audio? How Much Do You Need For YouTube?

You only need 10-bits, in my opinion. Too little? What about 12? Can you hear the difference beyond that? A 16-bit, 24-bit or 32-bit container does NOT mean you have 16-bits, 24-bits or 32-bits of amplitude resolution. Anyway, I did some samples so you can come to your own conclusion.
My point isn't that you need X bits of data for your audio. My point is only that it is less then 16 and 24-bits. Which means 32-float, as I've explained in my other videos, is malarky.
I explain why 32-bit-float has nothing to do with mic gain and clipping
maxrottersman....

[@nerdicorgi]

I think the problem stems form the word "need." Most content creators don't "need" 32 bit float. But where it comes in handy is when you have a suite of capable devices all operating at a native 32 bit float allowing you to repair previously unsalvageable audio. The volume range you show in your video may indeed be representative of most media (from modestly quiet to a bit loud) but anyone running the gamit from extremely quiet whispers to blood curdling screams will struggle to find an acceptable gain setting on their recording that captures all of it one take. 32 bit float will allow those people to come in post-production and adjust that audio without the peaks being crushed or the boosted lows bringing in a bunch of distortion and noise.
As for whether or not people can "hear the difference" I'd say that's missing the mark. Most people, after all, are rarely listening on speakers operating at higher that 24 bit at 48000Hz. But again, 32-bit isn't for the end listener. It's for the person producing the content.

[@MaxoticsTV]

32-bit float doesn't allow you to repair previously unsalvageable audio. If I'm wrong, I'd appreciate that you give me a technical explanation on how it does so. There is no such thing as a 32-bit float ADC. Most people's audio systems don't amplify quiet whispers to blood curdling screams beyond 60db in dynamic range. That 10-bits worth of data.
If you listed to true 24-bit you'd either not hear 14 bits of it (soft sounds) or your speakers would explode or your eardrums (loud sounds).
YES, one can do post in 32-bit float. There are some benefits there. But they have NOTHING to do with what happens in the analog to digital conversion process. Again, prove to me you can resolve more than 16-bits of data from a microphone (analog source). And if you can't resolve more than 16-bits, how the heck would saving it to 32-bit (or even 24-bit) make a difference? Thanks for comment!

[@nerdicorgi]

@@MaxoticsTV I'd encourage you to check out the video from Rode entitled "Game-changer: Demonstrating How 32-Bit Float Recording Works"
The fact that most people don't understand the application of 32 bit float doesn't really change the really change it's usefulness.

[@MaxoticsTV]

@@nerdicorgi That's funny. It was exactly that Rode video that sent me into this ongoing effort to warn people that 32-bit float doesn't prevent clipping or eliminate the need to set your pre-amp gain. You can find that video on my channel.
Again, 32-bit float provides NO benefits for analog to digital recording. It doesn't work the way you think it works. You believe big corporations trying to sell you equipment. Okay ;) One day the lie will fade away because despite what that marketing guy at Rode says, 2+2 will never equal 5. Cheers!