Common Sampling Rates
- 44.1 kHz - Used for audio CDs and audio content on DVDs. Generally considered as the standard sample rate for music.
- 48 kHz - Originally used on digital audio tapes (DAT) (an early consumer digital recording format) as a way to prevent copying the audio from a CD. Currently used on DVDs and digital video recording formats. Generally considered as the standard sample rate for audio-for-video.
- 88.2 kHz - Double the sample rate of a CD. Used during production of music when the final consumer format will be CD (the conversion from 88.2 kHz to 44.1 kHz is easy for a computer to do).
- 96 kHz - Double the sample rate of audio-for-video. Used during production when the final consumer format will be audio-for-video (the conversion from 96 kHz to 48 kHz is easy for a computer to
do). Also converts to 32 kHz easily.
- 176.4 kHz & 192 kHz - Quadruple the consumer formats. Used for the highest possible quality recordings such as archival recordings or when the recording will potentially need intense processing, e.g. pitch shifting.
- 32 kHz - Audio sample rate of broadcast video (over-the-air, cable, or satellite television). Also used in streaming audio applications such as HD or satellite radio
- 8 kHz - Used in telephone quality audio as well as podcasting.
