Appendix G. Csound Double (64-bit) vs. Float (32-bit)

Csound can be built to use 64-bit DOUBLES internally to do processing versus regular Csound's 32-bit FLOATS. This larger resolution for processing internally yields a much "cleaner" sound but at the expense of extended processing time. Because it does require much longer to process, Csound compiled for doubles is typicaly used after a work is finished for a final production run. If you are using csound for realtime output, you should use the 32-bit (float) version, which provides faster output. For offline rendering, you can use either, but for the final master, the 64-bit version will produce higher quality output.

Notes On Using Csound built for double precision. 

  1. hetro, PVOC-EX analysis and pvanal files generated for 32-bit Csound (float) will work with 64-bit Csound (double precision).

  2. lpanal and cvanal files generated for Csound will not work with Csound64.