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BitterBitscope and Intersample Clip Monitor(c) 2008 Schwa

Bitter shows how many of the available bits are being used by the audio signal,reports clipping samples, and estimates when digital-to-analog conversion wouldcause inter-sample clips.

Typical uses for a bitscope include: verifying that a render dither is working properly; verifying that a particular plugin is not reducing the signal bit depth; testing for faulty audio source data.

You can open this README from the plugin at any time by clicking on the BITTER logo.

Bit Tree Display.

The bit tree display shows the usage density for each bit in the audio samples.Each bit's usage in each stereo channel is shown by a horizontal line: the shorter the line, the less the audio signal uses that bit. A missing line indicatesa bit that is not used at all. A line the full width of the window (unusual) indicates a stuck-bit error.

The lowest nonzero line in the bit tree display represents the total bit depth of the audio signal. This the the total information value of the signal, not thefile format.

For example, consider an audio signal recorded from a a 24-bit A/D, saved in 32-bit float format, and played back in a DAW with a 64-bit float audio engine. Ifthere is no processing done by the DAW, Bitter will display this signal as 24 bits of information, despite the fact that the file contains 32-bit samples. Ifthere is any processing at all done by the DAW (including sample rate conversion, or any nonzero fader setting), Bitter will display this signal as 64 bits of information.

Within a given bit depth, the bit tree display can be read as a dynamic range meter. A signal that is always loud and never quiet will have longer lines at thetop of the display than the bottom (because the higher bits are used more oftenthan the lower ones). A signal that is always quiet and never loud will have shorter lines at the top of the display (because the higher bits are not used atall).

Keep in mind that the audio host program will reset the bit depth whenever it processes the signal at all. A dither (or other plugin that changes the signal bit depth, either intentionally or unintentionally) will change the signal only aslong as it remains unprocessed by the host program. Any host processing, including sample rate conversion, or any nonzero fader setting, will reset the audiosignal to the host's native bit depth.

Clip indicator display.

The sample clip indicator lights when a sample that is greater than full code isseen. The intersample clip indicator lights when the plugin estimates that a digital-to-analog conversion would cause an intersample peak to exceed full code. The intersample clip calculation is just an estimate, however, because the specific method for digital-to-analog conversion depends on the particular hardwaredoing the conversion. The intersample clip calculation is only performed when

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the oversample switch is on.

Sample rate.

If you hover the mouse over the Bitter display screen, the audio stream sample rate will be displayed.

If you have any support needs, or any other questions about this software, please visit the forums at www.stillwellaudio.com.

Thanks!