A file was created long ago in 8 bit audio. It was then copied to an audio CD, thus being automatically transformed to 16 bit. Still, it retains all the low sound quality characteristics of an 8 bit audio file. Unfortunately the original file is lost. I have ripped the file from the CD. Is there a point in applying bit-depth conversion to it? And if so, which option to pick from the menu? (I have Sound Forge Pro 17).
Thank you!
@Dionysis Technically the information which is gone is gone. So, everything you lost by creating an 8-bit file will not come back by choosing a higher bit rate. On the other hand, 24/16 bit files take thrice/twice the space of 8 bit files without any additional quality.
Depending on the audio, you might be able to "restore" the audio quality from the 8-bit file with Zynaptiq Unchirp/Unfilter and with iZotope RX 10 Spectral Recovery.
Putting a gallon of gas in a five gallon container... it's still a gallon.