How do you change a sample rate?

From time to time, you may wish to record your audio with a different sample rate to improve the quality of the recording.

Depending on what program you have, there are different steps to complete. 

Before we jump right in, if you need a refresher on what exactly sample rate and bit depth are, and why you should set your bit depth and sample rate to a minimum of 24bit, 44.1KHz , the following video is for you:

As a reminder, the most effective way to improve your audio’s sample rate is to change these settings prior to recording. While you can downsample your sample rate after recording and have it impact the audio quality, upsampling after recording will not actually improve the sample-rate and overall quality of the file. 

Software To Change the Sample Rate of Audio Files

This article walks you through how to change the sample rate of your audio using four different editing programs:

• Quicktime Pro
• Final Cut Pro
• Adobe Premiere Pro
• Sony Vegas Pro

Change Sample Rate in Quicktime 7 Pro

Setting up Custom Template in Quicktime

1. Under File > Render As…change the Save as Type: to Quicktime 7.
2. Click the Custom button. This opens the Custom Template window.
3. Click on the Audio tab.
4. In the Audio tab, click on the drop-down menu next to Sampling Rate (Hz) and select 48,000.

Using the Encoder Button in Quicktime

1. Visit the Inspector window in the Compressor.
2. Click on the Encoder button.
3. In the Encoder window, you will see a Settings button to the right of Audio. Click on Settings.
4. This opens the Sound Settings window. In the Sound Settings window, there is a box to the right of Rate. In this box, enter 48.000 kHz.

Change Sample Rate in Final Cut Pro

MPEG2

In Final Cut Pro, there is no overt way to change the audio sampling rate for the MPEG2 file container. However, if your audio sample rate is not at least 44.1 kHz and you are working within the MPEG2 container, then do the following:

1. Visit the Inspector window in the Compressor.
2. Click on the Encoder button.
3. In the Encoder window, you will see an Extras tab. Click on the Extras tab.
4. In the Extras tab, check the box next to Multiplexed MPEG-1/Layer 2 Audio. Underneath, there are two radio buttons corresponding to Transport Stream and Program Stream, respectively. Choose the audio stream that corresponds to the video stream that you chose.

Change Sample Rate in Adobe Premiere Pro

MPEG2

1. Visit the Export Settings window (File > Export > Adobe Media Encoder).
2. In the Export Settings window, click on the Audio tab.
3. In the Audio tab, there is a set of options called Basic Audio Settings. Click on the drop-down menu to the right of Frequency and change your audio sampling rate to 44.1 kHz. Google only accepts audio ads that have an audio sampling rate of 44.1 kHz.

H.264

1. You can change the audio sampling rate of your spot in the Export Settings window (File > Export > Adobe Media Encoder).
2. In the Export Settings window, click on the Audio tab.
3. In the Audio tab, there is a set of options called Basic Audio Settings.
4. Click on the drop-down menu to the right of Frequency and change your audio sampling rate to 44.1 kHz. Google only accepts ads that have an audio sampling rate of 44.1 kHz.

Change Sample Rate in Sony Vegas Pro

MPEG2

1. Under File > Render As, change the Save as Type: to MainConcept MPEG-2.
2. Next, click the Custom button. This opens the Custom Template window.
3. Click on the Audio tab.
4. In the Audio tab, you will see a drop-down menu to the left of Sampling Rate (Hz). Click this drop-down menu and select 44,100.

Want More on Digital Audio Editing?

It’s important to have a good understanding of what goes into editing audio—especially as a voice actor—but also as a content creator, a creative director, a branding agency executive, or someone else involved in the audio editing process. 

When you understand what makes a high quality audio recording, and how that quality is maintained through the production process in a software, you’ll be able to recognize if the work you’re producing is aligned with the kind of audio quality you intend. 

Sample rate and bit depth are just scratching the surface. If you want to build on your audio production knowledge and learn about dynamics processing in your audio, visit our YouTube channel for more videos from our Digital Content Producer. 

Not ready to become an expert on all things digital audio quality and dynamics processing, but have an upcoming audio or video project? Voices is trusted by brands around the globe to connect them with audio producers, voice actors, and other freelance talent that deliver the high quality audio your project needs. Sign up and post a job for free today.

Post originally published June 2019, by David Ciccarelli.

David Ciccarelli

David Ciccarelli is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Voices. As CEO, he is responsible for setting the vision, executing the growth strategy and managing the company on a day-to-day basis. He's been a finalist of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award and a Canadian Innovator Award. He often writes about his entrepreneurial journey in the Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur, Forbes and for M.I.T. Executive Education. He graduated with honors from the Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology and is a graduate of Harvard Business School.

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