Dynamic range is the distance, in decibels, between the quietest sound a system can carry above its noise floor and the loudest it can carry before clipping. In the digital domain it is set by bit depth: each bit adds about 6 dB, so 16-bit gives roughly 96 dB and 24-bit about 144 dB — more than any microphone or listening room can actually use. A signal's own dynamic range, the spread from its softest to loudest moments, is a creative property, and broadcast limits it via Loudness Range (LRA) so dialogue doesn't vanish and explosions don't startle. Capturing at 24-bit leaves comfortable margin for both noise and headroom.
