Low Sample Rate on Virtual Outputs

[thedoctor]

I was having poor quality on my outgoing audio to a podcasting service while using Voicemeeter (both the Banana version and the Potato version). I was trying everything in attempt to improve the quality. I finally ran across a very low sample rate on Virtual Outputs while looking in the Windows Sound Control Panel. They were set at 1 channel, 24 bit, 8000 Hz. When I changed it to 2 channels, 24 bit, 48000 Hz the quality improved dramatically (although still not perfect). Why is the sample rate so low? I have noticed this on two different computers.

Second question, what would happen if I boosted the sample rate to 96000 Hz (or higher) on the Virtual Outputs? Would the quality increase further? And would it cause an issue if the audio hardware on A1 couldn't go to that high of a sample rate?

Thank you.

[JBP]

Why is the sample rate so low? I have noticed this on two different computers.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=442

With WIN10 October 2018 Update the default audio format of our virtual audio cable could have been changed to 8000 Hz Mono !?! we don't know why, but we recommend to change it in 44100 Hz Stereo

[JBP]

Second question, what would happen if I boosted the sample rate to 96000 Hz (or higher) on the Virtual Outputs? Would the quality increase further? And would it cause an issue if the audio hardware on A1 couldn't go to that high of a sample rate?

If your input signal has an original sample rate of 48 KHz and your output target (podcast) has the same, then use 48 KHz.
In theory when you use complex processing and mixing 96 KHz could improve quality mathematically.
But if your output must be reconverted to match 48 KHz (podcast and/or hardware output) this would be an extra step of conversion.

Practically you have to try it yourself, if you subjectively perceive any improvement using 96 KHz?

[thedoctor]

Thank you for the reply.

When the VM, VMB, and VMP programs install, why doesn't the installation check to see what the sample rate is? I installed the Windows 10 October 2018 Update in December. But, I have installed VMB and VMP more than once since then. I would think the installer would check to see what the sample rate is and adjust accordingly.

Thank you

[Vincent Burel]

Good question, but after 30 years, Why Microsoft Windows 10, suddenly decided to set the recording device audio point in the minimal audio format after its installation ?

Anyway, this bug should be fixed by Microsoft! more info in last message of this topic:
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=644

[thedoctor]

Thank you Vincent. Funny, I just installed that update this morning. Are we sure this fixes the problem?

[Vincent Burel]

you will let me know...

[thedoctor]

Actually I don’t know if I can. I made the change for the sample rate of the virtual outputs in the sound panel before getting this update. So I don’t know if this changes anything for me.