We definitely should not dither any float outputs. Only integer samples should be dithered. 

I think it would be easier to understand what is going on if all integer formats and drivers offered a choice between no, triangular, and uniform dither. We could have -Z or --dither (for backward compatibility) or --dither-triangular, and also --dither-uniform.

Regards,
Mike

-----Original Message-----
>From: victor 
>Sent: Oct 18, 2008 10:26 AM
>To: Developer discussions 
>Subject: Re: [Cs-dev] Question on Dither
>
>Coreaudio, pulse and Jack are float outputs. Should
>we dither it (in doubles-version only of course)?
>
>Victor
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: "jpff" 
>To: 
>Sent: Saturday, October 18, 2008 2:28 PM
>Subject: [Cs-dev] Question on Dither
>
>
>> Reading around it seems that triangular distribution is preferred for
>> dithering in audio (good compromise for speed and accuracy).
>>
>> At present the state in 5.09 and all csound5 previous is
>>
>> To file:   Nothing -- attempt at triangular but broken
>> Alsa:      Always dithers uniform distribution
>> PortAudio: Always dithers triangular distribution
>> CoreAudio: Nothing
>> Jack:      Nothing
>> PulseAudio:Nothing
>> WinMM:     Always dithers uniform distribution
>>
>> I have (untested, and broken) code to change this to
>>
>> To file:   triangular or nothing on -Z flag
>> Alsa:      dithers uniform distribution or nothing on -Z flag
>> PortAudio: triangular distribution or nothing on -Z flag
>> CoreAudio: Nothing
>> Jack:      Nothing
>> PulseAudio:Nothing
>> WinMM:     Always dithers uniform distribution
>>
>> The questions:
>>
>> Should we offer uniform or triangular or user choice?
>> Should we fix Coreaudio and pulseaudio to be in line?
>>
>> Or what?
>>
>> I should say this is all for 16bit audio.  Nothing done on floats or
>> 24bit.  8bit ....less sure at present
>>
>> And for completeness, csound4 had user selectable uniform in all
>> formats I think
>>
>> ==John ffitch
>>
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