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Sample rates
= Rivendell Audio Sample Rate Recommendations =


The most common and recommended sample rates for the [https://rivendellaudio.org Rivendell Radio Automation System] are:
{| class="wikitable"
! Sample Rate
! Recommended Use
! Notes
|-
| '''44.1 kHz'''
| Traditional music/CD workflow
| Best when the majority of source audio comes from CD rips
|-
| '''48 kHz'''
| Modern broadcast and streaming
| Preferred for FM, streaming, JACK/PipeWire, and modern processing chains
|}
Rivendell supports multiple PCM sample rates, but the most important rule is consistency across the entire audio chain.
== Keep the Entire Audio Chain Matched ==
All major components should run at the same sample rate:
* Audio Interface
* JACK / PipeWire
* Rivendell Audio Store
* GlassCoder & GlassGUI / BUTT / DarkIce / Liquidsoap
* Stereo Tool
* Streaming Encoder
<div class="mw-message-box mw-message-box-warning">
'''Important:''' The Rivendell '''System Sample Rate''' should be selected before importing audio and should not be changed later on an active system.
</div>
== Recommended Setups ==
=== Modern FM / Streaming Station ===
'''Recommended Format'''
* '''48 kHz'''
* '''16-bit or 24-bit PCM'''
'''Why 48 kHz?'''
* Native rate for most broadcast hardware
* Matches AAC, Opus, and modern streaming pipelines
* Avoids unnecessary resampling in JACK/PipeWire workflows
* Better compatibility with video and social media content
* Preferred by most modern audio processors
=== Legacy Music Library / CD-Focused Workflow ===
'''Recommended Format'''
* '''44.1 kHz'''
Best suited when the majority of source material originates from audio CDs.
This minimizes resampling during import, although modern broadcast chains generally benefit more from maintaining 48 kHz consistency end-to-end.
== What NOT To Use ==
Avoid using the following sample rates for normal radio operations:
* '''96 kHz'''
* '''192 kHz'''
These dramatically increase:
* CPU usage
* JACK/PipeWire overhead
* Storage requirements
* Network bandwidth usage
...while providing essentially no listener benefit for radio broadcast or streaming applications.
== Best Practices for Rivendell Systems ==
A stable modern Rivendell broadcast chain typically uses:
{| class="wikitable"
! Component
! Recommended Sample Rate
|-
| Rivendell Audio Store
| '''48 kHz'''
|-
| JACK / PipeWire
| '''48 kHz'''
|-
| Stereo Tool
| '''48 kHz'''
|-
| Liquidsoap Internal Processing
| '''48 kHz'''
|-
| Streaming Encoder Input
| '''48 kHz'''
|-
| Final MP3/AAC Stream
| '''44.1 kHz or 48 kHz'''
|}
== Benefits of Keeping Everything at 48 kHz ==
For most modern broadcast and streaming systems, maintaining a consistent '''48 kHz''' workflow minimizes:
* XRUNs
* Resampler artifacts
* Clock drift
* Unnecessary FFmpeg processing
* CPU overhead
This results in a cleaner, more stable, and lower-latency audio chain.

Latest revision as of 16:57, 9 May 2026

Rivendell Audio Sample Rate Recommendations

The most common and recommended sample rates for the Rivendell Radio Automation System are:

Sample Rate Recommended Use Notes
44.1 kHz Traditional music/CD workflow Best when the majority of source audio comes from CD rips
48 kHz Modern broadcast and streaming Preferred for FM, streaming, JACK/PipeWire, and modern processing chains

Rivendell supports multiple PCM sample rates, but the most important rule is consistency across the entire audio chain.

Keep the Entire Audio Chain Matched

All major components should run at the same sample rate:

  • Audio Interface
  • JACK / PipeWire
  • Rivendell Audio Store
  • GlassCoder & GlassGUI / BUTT / DarkIce / Liquidsoap
  • Stereo Tool
  • Streaming Encoder

Important: The Rivendell System Sample Rate should be selected before importing audio and should not be changed later on an active system.

Modern FM / Streaming Station

Recommended Format

  • 48 kHz
  • 16-bit or 24-bit PCM

Why 48 kHz?

  • Native rate for most broadcast hardware
  • Matches AAC, Opus, and modern streaming pipelines
  • Avoids unnecessary resampling in JACK/PipeWire workflows
  • Better compatibility with video and social media content
  • Preferred by most modern audio processors

Legacy Music Library / CD-Focused Workflow

Recommended Format

  • 44.1 kHz

Best suited when the majority of source material originates from audio CDs.

This minimizes resampling during import, although modern broadcast chains generally benefit more from maintaining 48 kHz consistency end-to-end.

What NOT To Use

Avoid using the following sample rates for normal radio operations:

  • 96 kHz
  • 192 kHz

These dramatically increase:

  • CPU usage
  • JACK/PipeWire overhead
  • Storage requirements
  • Network bandwidth usage

...while providing essentially no listener benefit for radio broadcast or streaming applications.

Best Practices for Rivendell Systems

A stable modern Rivendell broadcast chain typically uses:

Component Recommended Sample Rate
Rivendell Audio Store 48 kHz
JACK / PipeWire 48 kHz
Stereo Tool 48 kHz
Liquidsoap Internal Processing 48 kHz
Streaming Encoder Input 48 kHz
Final MP3/AAC Stream 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz

Benefits of Keeping Everything at 48 kHz

For most modern broadcast and streaming systems, maintaining a consistent 48 kHz workflow minimizes:

  • XRUNs
  • Resampler artifacts
  • Clock drift
  • Unnecessary FFmpeg processing
  • CPU overhead

This results in a cleaner, more stable, and lower-latency audio chain.

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