What is the recommended sampling rate for high-quality audio recordings?

The recommended sampling rate for high-quality audio recordings is typically 44.1 kHz or higher. This rate is widely accepted because it fulfills the Nyquist theorem, which states that to accurately reproduce audio frequencies, the sampling rate must be at least twice the highest frequency you want to capture. Human hearing generally ranges up to about 20 kHz, so a 44.1 kHz sampling rate, which allows for capturing frequencies up to around 22 kHz, ensures high fidelity and clarity in the audio. Higher sampling rates, such as 48 kHz or even 96 kHz, can provide even more detail, making them common in professional audio and video production.

Lower sampling rates, like 22.05 kHz or lower, do not capture audio with the same quality, which can lead to a loss of detail and clarity. Although 38 kHz is better than lower rates, it still falls short of the standard used for high-quality recordings, as does any option that suggests 48 kHz or lower, which does not meet the benchmark for high quality either.