What is the best microphone out there?

What is the best default format for a Microphone Installed into a Inspiron 1525?

• I have a Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop and it has a installed microphone.I don't know what the best format is. When I go to recording and open the microphone I go over to the Advanced tab and the options are: 2channel,16bit, 44100 Hz(CD Quality) 2channel,16bit, 48000 Hz(DvD Quality) 2channel,24bit, 44100 Hz(Studio Quality) 2channel,24bit, 44800 Hz(Studio Quality) So which one is the best? Please explain :D

• Answer:

  The bit rate determines how much contrast the file can capture between loud and soft parts. In other words, 24 bit has higher dynamics than 16 bit and is therefore better. Also, 24 bit will have lower noise levels. Only catch is that whatever you record, when you export to MP3 it will turn into 16 bit anyway, but it's good to record at 24 bit regardless. The Hz refers to sample rate. The higher the better. In listening tests barely anyone can tell the difference between 44100 and 96000. Sample rate isn't as important as bit rate. 44100 is fine for audio. In the settings above, 2channel,16bit, 48000 Hz(DvD Quality) is the standard used in movies and television. So if you're recording video or making video, use that. Otherwise just use 2channel,24bit, 44100 Hz(Studio Quality) for general audio recording. The reason not to use 44800 is that it's a bigger file size and during conversion back to 44100 for mp3 exporting, that takes more time and may introduce subtle artifacts in the sound. So 24bit 44100 is a good compromise.