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Jul 20, 2023 · Audio files come in all types and sizes. And while we may all be familiar with MP3, what about AAC, FLAC, OGG, or WMA? Why do so many audio file extensions exist? Is there a universal best audio file format? Which ones are important, and which ones can you ignore?
- Joel Lee
- Former Editor-In-Chief
- Becky Scarrott
- File formats and codecs at a glance. Want to cut straight to the chase? Here's a handy guide to all the file formats and the differences between them. If you want to know more, read on below for a more in-depth look at the differences in size, sound quality and compatibility.
- Compressed vs uncompressed audio files. First, let’s talk about the three categories all audio files can be grouped into – uncompressed, lossless and lossy.
- WAV vs AIFF: uncompressed audio file formats. WAV and AIFF are arguably the most popular uncompressed audio file formats, both based on PCM (Pulse Code Modulation), which is widely recognised as the most straightforward audio storage mechanism in the digital domain.
- ALAC vs FLAC vs WMA Lossless: lossless audio formats. Everyone loves a FLAC. A lossless file, the FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is compressed to nearly half the size of an uncompressed WAV or AIFF of equivalent sample rate, but there should be no “loss” in terms of how it sounds.
May 25, 2024 · If you begin to dip your toes into the busy, crowded and confusing world of audio file formats, you'll quickly find yourself swamped with various different types of format, codec,...
- Tom Bedford
Jul 29, 2024 · As fellow music enthusiasts, we understand the importance of quality sound and how the right format can make all the difference. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the various types of audio file formats, their unique characteristics, and when to use each format for the best listening experience.
There are three major groups of audio file formats: Uncompressed audio formats, such as WAV, AIFF, AU or raw header-less PCM; Note wav can also use compression as well.
Oct 12, 2024 · Audio file formats define how sound is digitally stored and played back. They range from uncompressed formats like WAV, which offers high quality at large sizes, to compressed formats like MP3, balancing quality and storage efficiency.
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Sep 22, 2021 · What is the difference between audio file formats? Here is a breakdown of common format types and some of their important characteristics.