Bit Depth

Computers use bits to store sample values--the number of bits used is called the bit depth: the greater the bit depth,

• the greater the number of possible values,
• the more precise the sampled amplitude will be.

With $n$ bits, $2^n$ possible values that can be represented.

• for CD quality audio, $n=16$,
• each sample can have $2^{16} = 65,536$ possible values,
• the highest possible amplitude is $2^{15} = 32,768$, (since audio signals are positive and negative).