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[Wavebasix]

Can somebody explain me why Korg choose 48kHz instead of 44.1 or the option to choose both. Because I am working with 44.1 and it's not possible for me to use the digital output of the Kronos which I think is a big dissapointment. I think I am not the only one facing this problem. Is there some workaround possible here or could this be fixed with a software update?

Thanks,

[NormC]

[GregC]

[Bitflipper]

The question posed has nothing to do with the relative merits of different sample rates, but with an issue selecting 44.1 KHz in the Kronos. Personally, I've not run into this issue, as I have always just used the default rate (even though most of my recording projects are 44.1).

Why did Korg choose 48 KHz? They had to settle on something, and the marketing department knew some percentage of the public would buy the "48 sounds better" myth. 48 KHz has long been a standard for samplers (e.g. Kurzweil). It's the default sample rate for most consumer audio interfaces, and requires no conversion for DVD audio. It's a perfectly acceptable rate.

Is this necessarily a problem? Not at all. Most DAWs will automatically and transparently convert audio to the project sample rate as needed, regardless of what it is: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96. This means that if you are using a combination of software synthesizers and samplers in your project, along with outboard synths such as the Kronos, you just don't need to care that they might be at different sample rates or bit depths.

Now, you can run into clocking issues (e.g. clicks in the recorded audio) with digital inputs, especially with disparate sample rates. The solution is simple, though: specify the synth as the clock master. AFAIK, all DAWs let you do this. The only downsides are that a) you might have to change the clock source as you switch between different outboard digital instruments, and b) the Kronos will need to be connected and booted up or the DAW will hang. The solution: record the part and then switch the clock back to "internal".

My general advice would be: if the Kronos is going to be your primary instrument in a particular recording, just set the DAW's project sample rate to 48 KHz and go. Otherwise, don't worry about it.

[amit]

I understand your problem that you cannot use digital outs (spdif) with your 44.1k setup, however there can be many reasons for sticking with a single sample rate.
1: Better optimisation for filters and other dsp parameters (for the algorithms that are sample rate dependent) less math = less CPU load = better polyphony or stability.
2: A 48K crystal based DAC/ADC. Only supporting multiples of 48k;I.e 96k,192k etc

3: better perceived latency. For example At a 64 sample bucket, 48k will be processed faster as opposed to 44.1k

4: Better analog Sampling/recording resolution. Though I prefer sampling/recording at 96k, 48k is still better than 44.1k (less interpolation)

5: 48k is standard DAT
44.1K is/was a limit imposed by the earlier standard for cd recording,
Based off Nyquist's theory on human hearing frequency limitation and how doubling the frequency gives most fidelity for humans. However when you bring in dsp math, there are lot more factors/techniques/hacks/approximations involved that work better ( or produce lesser artifacts) at higher resolutions (for example internal upsampling), the better your source there is lesser interpolation required)

I won't go into bit depth here as that is whole different thing.
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[Wavebasix]

Thanks guys that cleared some things but I still thing it is a pitty they did not add the option to choose between 44.1 and 48.

[Mike Conway]

[SeedyLee]

As I recall, the primary reason for 48k as a standard is for use with film and ensuring frame accuracy at 24 fos. This is why it was adopted as the standard frequency for ADAT.
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