24bit file input > 32bit float (simple trim) > 24 bit export. Dither or not?

The title is the question. Can anybody help me out?

 

I don't have an answer but can you please explain why do you need a 32bit up sampling stage if the original file is 24bit and you intend to export it as 24bit?

 

Well I trimmed some 24 bit files using a 32 bit float stage in Audacity but I didn't do any processing (amplification, filtering, etc.) to the signal so I set it not to dither and exported the files at 24 bit. Later on I was thinking that maybe this was a mistake. I just wanted to check what the opinions on here were.

 

If changing a 32 bit float to a 24 bit, I would use dither.

 

Don't bother, you're just making that which cannot be heard even quieter.

Not the case with 24 to 16, but definitely the case from 32 to 24.

 

Because processing 24-bit signals can produce an output requiring 25- or more bits (this may not be the case in the OP's situation, but is more generally, especially when mixing many tracks or doing level changes).

OP, does your DAC support 32-bit input? If so, you could try to process at 32-bit fixed (which would be better than float) if your software allows it.

 

I just use Audacity which I don't believe has 32-bit fixed option.

 

In that case i will not use dither.
Dither noise at -144dB is lower than thermic noise.
So only when going from 24 to 16.