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Supported Formats
Convert between all major file formats with high quality
Common Formats
MPEG-1 Audio Layer III - the most universal audio format worldwide, using lossy compression to reduce file sizes by 90% while maintaining excellent perceived quality. Perfect for music libraries, podcasts, portable devices, and any scenario requiring broad compatibility. Supports bitrates from 32-320kbps. Standard for digital music since 1993, playable on virtually every device and platform.
Waveform Audio File Format - uncompressed PCM audio providing perfect quality preservation. Standard Windows audio format with universal compatibility. Large file sizes (10MB per minute of stereo CD-quality). Perfect for audio production, professional recording, mastering, and situations requiring zero quality loss. Supports various bit depths (16, 24, 32-bit) and sample rates. Industry standard for professional audio work.
Ogg Vorbis - open-source lossy audio codec offering quality comparable to MP3/AAC at similar bitrates. Free from patents and licensing restrictions. Smaller file sizes than MP3 at equivalent quality. Used in gaming, open-source software, and streaming. Supports variable bitrate (VBR) for optimal quality. Perfect for applications requiring free codecs and good quality. Growing support in media players and platforms.
Advanced Audio Coding - successor to MP3 offering better quality at same bitrate (or same quality at lower bitrate). Standard audio codec for Apple devices, YouTube, and many streaming services. Supports up to 48 channels and 96kHz sample rate. Improved frequency response and handling of complex audio. Perfect for iTunes, iOS devices, video streaming, and modern audio applications. Part of MPEG-4 standard widely supported across platforms.
Free Lossless Audio Codec - compresses audio 40-60% without any quality loss. Perfect bit-for-bit preservation of original audio. Open-source format with no patents or licensing fees. Supports high-resolution audio (192kHz/24-bit). Perfect for archiving music collections, audiophile listening, and scenarios where quality is paramount. Widely supported by media players and streaming services. Ideal balance between quality and file size.
MPEG-4 Audio - AAC or ALAC audio in MP4 container. Standard audio format for Apple ecosystem (iTunes, iPhone, iPad). Supports both lossy (AAC) and lossless (ALAC) compression. Better quality than MP3 at same file size. Includes metadata support for artwork, lyrics, and rich tags. Perfect for iTunes library, iOS devices, and Apple software. Widely compatible across platforms despite Apple association. Common format for purchased music and audiobooks.
Windows Media Audio - Microsoft's proprietary audio codec with good compression and quality. Standard Windows audio format with native OS support. Supports DRM for protected content. Various profiles (WMA Standard, WMA Pro, WMA Lossless). Comparable quality to AAC at similar bitrates. Perfect for Windows ecosystem and legacy Windows Media Player. Being superseded by AAC and other formats. Still encountered in Windows-centric environments and older audio collections.
Lossless Formats
Apple Lossless Audio Codec - Apple's lossless compression reducing file size 40-60% with zero quality loss. Perfect preservation of original audio like FLAC but in Apple ecosystem. Standard lossless format for iTunes and iOS. Supports high-resolution audio up to 384kHz/32-bit. Smaller than uncompressed but larger than lossy formats. Perfect for iTunes library, audiophile iOS listening, and maintaining perfect quality in Apple ecosystem. Comparable to FLAC but with better Apple integration.
Monkey's Audio - high-efficiency lossless compression achieving better ratios than FLAC (typically 55-60% of original). Perfect quality preservation with zero loss. Free format with open specification. Slower compression/decompression than FLAC. Popular in audiophile communities. Limited player support compared to FLAC. Perfect for archiving when maximum space savings desired while maintaining perfect quality. Best for scenarios where storage space is critical and processing speed is not.
WavPack - hybrid lossless/lossy audio codec with unique correction file feature. Can create lossy file with separate correction file for lossless reconstruction. Excellent compression efficiency. Perfect for flexible audio archiving. Less common than FLAC. Supports high-resolution audio and DSD. Convert to FLAC for universal compatibility.
True Audio - lossless audio compression with fast encoding/decoding. Similar compression to FLAC with simpler algorithm. Open-source and free format. Perfect quality preservation. Less common than FLAC with limited player support. Perfect for audio archiving when FLAC compatibility not required. Convert to FLAC for broader compatibility.
Audio Interchange File Format - Apple's uncompressed audio format, equivalent to WAV but for Mac. Stores PCM audio with perfect quality. Standard audio format for macOS and professional Mac audio applications. Supports metadata tags better than WAV. Large file sizes like WAV (10MB per minute). Perfect for Mac-based audio production, professional recording, and scenarios requiring uncompressed audio on Apple platforms. Interchangeable with WAV for most purposes.
Modern Formats
Opus Audio Codec - modern open-source codec (2012) offering best quality at all bitrates from 6kbps to 510kbps. Excels at both speech and music. Lowest latency of modern codecs making it perfect for VoIP and real-time communication. Superior to MP3, AAC, and Vorbis at equivalent bitrates. Used by WhatsApp, Discord, and WebRTC. Ideal for streaming, voice calls, podcasts, and music. Becoming the universal audio codec for internet audio.
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Matroska Audio - audio-only Matroska container supporting any audio codec. Flexible format with metadata support. Can contain multiple audio tracks. Perfect for audio albums with chapters and metadata. Part of Matroska multimedia framework. Used for audiobooks and multi-track audio. Convert to FLAC or MP3 for universal compatibility.
Legacy Formats
MPEG-1 Audio Layer II - predecessor to MP3 used in broadcasting and DVDs. Better quality than MP3 at high bitrates. Standard audio codec for DVB (digital TV) and DVD-Video. Lower compression efficiency than MP3. Perfect for broadcast applications and DVD authoring. Legacy format being replaced by AAC in modern broadcasting. Still encountered in digital TV and video production workflows.
Dolby Digital (AC-3) - surround sound audio codec for DVD, Blu-ray, and digital broadcasting. Supports up to 5.1 channels. Standard audio format for DVDs and HDTV. Good compression with multichannel support. Perfect for home theater and video production. Used in cinema and broadcast. Requires Dolby license for encoding.
Adaptive Multi-Rate - speech codec optimized for mobile voice calls. Excellent voice quality at very low bitrates (4.75-12.2 kbps). Standard for GSM and 3G phone calls. Designed specifically for speech, not music. Perfect for voice recordings, voicemail, and speech applications. Used in WhatsApp voice messages and mobile voice recording. Efficient for voice but inadequate for music.
Sun/NeXT Audio - simple audio format from Sun Microsystems and NeXT Computer. Uncompressed or ฮผ-law/A-law compressed audio. Common on Unix systems. Simple header with audio data. Perfect for Unix audio applications and legacy system compatibility. Found in system sounds and Unix audio files. Convert to WAV or MP3 for modern use.
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RealAudio - legacy streaming audio format from RealNetworks (1990s-2000s). Pioneered internet audio streaming with low-bitrate compression. Obsolete format replaced by modern streaming technologies. Poor quality by today's standards. Convert to MP3 or AAC for modern use. Historical importance in early internet audio streaming.
Specialized Formats
DTS Coherent Acoustics - surround sound codec competing with Dolby Digital. Higher bitrates than AC-3 with potentially better quality. Used in DVD, Blu-ray, and cinema. Supports up to 7.1 channels and object-based audio. Perfect for high-quality home theater. Premium audio format for video distribution. Convert to AC-3 or AAC for broader compatibility.
Core Audio Format - Apple's container for audio data on iOS and macOS. Supports any audio codec and unlimited file sizes. Modern replacement for AIFF on Apple platforms. Perfect for iOS app development and professional Mac audio. No size limitations (unlike WAV). Can store multiple audio streams. Convert to M4A or MP3 for broader compatibility outside Apple ecosystem.
VOC (Creative Voice File) - audio format from Creative Labs Sound Blaster cards. Popular in DOS era (1989-1995) for games and multimedia. Supports multiple compression formats and blocks. Legacy PC audio format. Common in retro gaming. Convert to WAV or MP3 for modern use. Important for DOS game audio preservation.
Speex - open-source speech codec designed for VoIP and internet audio streaming. Variable bitrate from 2-44 kbps. Optimized for speech with low latency. Better than MP3 for voice at low bitrates. Being superseded by Opus. Perfect for voice chat, VoIP, and speech podcasts. Legacy format replaced by Opus in modern applications.
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How to Convert Files
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is AIFF and how is it different from WAV?
AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format) is Apple's uncompressed audio format, created in 1988. It's basically the Mac equivalent of WAV - both store PCM audio without compression, both are massive files, both preserve perfect quality. AIFF came from Apple/SGI collaboration, WAV came from Microsoft/IBM. Different origins, functionally identical purpose.
Technical differences are minor: AIFF uses big-endian byte order (Mac standard), WAV uses little-endian (PC standard). AIFF supports metadata better (ID3 tags, artist/album info). WAV has broader compatibility (works absolutely everywhere). For audio editing and archival, they're interchangeable - same quality, same huge file sizes, same professional use cases.
Why are AIFF files so large?
AIFF files are huge because:
No Compression
AIFF stores raw audio data bit-for-bit. No compression algorithms applied. What microphone captured = what file contains.
CD Quality Standard
44.1kHz, 16-bit, stereo = 10MB per minute. 24-bit recordings = 15MB per minute. This is uncompressed audio reality.
Every Sample Stored
44,100 samples per second per channel, 2 bytes per sample (16-bit). Math = big files. No data discarded or compressed.
Professional Requirement
Editing software needs uncompressed audio for processing. Can't edit compressed formats without decoding first. AIFF provides instant access.
AIFF size is a feature for professionals. For storage/sharing, convert to ALAC (lossless, 40-60% smaller) or AAC/MP3 (lossy, 90% smaller).
What software and devices support AIFF?
AIFF playback and support:
Apple Ecosystem
Native support: Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod. iTunes, Music app, QuickTime play AIFF perfectly. Apple's native format.
Professional Audio Software
Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Ableton, Audacity, GarageBand all support AIFF. Industry standard for Mac-based production.
Cross-Platform Music Players
VLC, foobar2000, MusicBee play AIFF on Windows/Mac/Linux. Any serious audio player supports AIFF.
Limited Portable Device Support
Some MP3 players support AIFF, many don't. Car stereos rarely support AIFF. Not portable-device friendly.
Web Browsers DON'T
No HTML5 audio support for AIFF. Can't use AIFF on websites. Convert to AAC/MP3 for web use.
Android Limited
No native Android support for AIFF. Requires third-party apps. WAV is better for Android compatibility.
Streaming Services DON'T
Spotify, Apple Music don't accept AIFF uploads. Too large, unnecessary. They use AAC/Vorbis for streaming.
AIFF works great in Apple ecosystem and professional audio software. For consumer devices and sharing, convert to AAC, MP3, or ALAC.
Should I convert AIFF to ALAC or FLAC?
Absolutely yes, convert AIFF to lossless compression (ALAC or FLAC) for storage! You'll save 40-60% disk space with zero quality loss. AIFF's lack of compression wastes storage - there's no benefit to keeping massive uncompressed files when lossless compression gives identical audio quality at half the size.
ALAC (Apple Lossless) if you use Apple ecosystem: native support on iPhone, iPad, Mac, iTunes. Seamless integration with Apple devices. FLAC if you use mixed ecosystem or value open standards: better software support, more compression options, open-source format. Both are bit-perfect lossless - convert from AIFF with zero quality loss.
Keep AIFF only for active editing projects (Logic Pro, Pro Tools workflows often prefer AIFF). For archival, backup, and library storage, convert to ALAC/FLAC. Save half your storage space while preserving perfect quality. It's a no-brainer efficiency improvement with no downside.
Can I edit AIFF files without losing quality?
Yes, AIFF editing is completely non-destructive if done right. AIFF is uncompressed, so audio editors work directly with raw audio data - trim, splice, normalize, fade without re-encoding. Save as AIFF again and quality remains perfect. This is why professionals use AIFF/WAV for production - editing doesn't compound quality loss like with MP3/AAC.
Use professional audio software: Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Audacity, Adobe Audition handle AIFF natively. Edit, apply effects, save AIFF output at same sample rate/bit depth as input. No generation loss. Effects processing (EQ, compression, reverb) changes audio intentionally but doesn't add compression artifacts.
Quality loss happens when: converting AIFF to lossy format (MP3/AAC), changing sample rate (44.1โ48kHz introduces resampling), lowering bit depth (24โ16-bit adds dithering). As long as you stay AIFF-to-AIFF with same specs, editing is lossless. This is why studios keep master recordings as AIFF/WAV throughout production process.
Is AIFF or WAV better for audio mastering?
They're functionally identical for mastering - both uncompressed, same audio quality, same editing capabilities. Choice depends on your workflow ecosystem. Logic Pro users typically use AIFF (native Apple format). Pro Tools users often use WAV (industry standard). Ableton/FL Studio users use either. Audio quality is identical regardless of choice.
AIFF advantages: Better metadata support (embeds artist, album, artwork in audio file). Slightly better handling of long files. Native format for Apple audio tools. WAV advantages: Broader compatibility (works on absolutely every platform and DAW). Slightly more established as 'professional standard.' Smaller header overhead (marginal difference).
Recommendation: Use whatever your primary DAW defaults to. If collaborating, WAV is safer (guaranteed compatibility with everyone's software). If staying in Apple ecosystem, AIFF works perfectly. For final deliverables to mastering engineers, ask their preference - most accept both. Converting between AIFF and WAV is lossless, so you can switch formats anytime without quality concerns.
Why doesn't AIFF work on my Android phone?
Android doesn't include native AIFF support in the OS. Google designed Android around open formats (FLAC, Ogg Vorbis) and universal formats (MP3, WAV). AIFF is Apple-centric format, so Google didn't prioritize it. Different ecosystem, different format preferences. Android sees AIFF as proprietary Apple format.
Solutions: Install third-party music players that support AIFF (VLC, Poweramp, Neutron). These include codecs for Apple formats. Or convert AIFF to FLAC (lossless, same quality, Android-native) or AAC/MP3 (lossy but universal). Converting to FLAC is best - keeps perfect quality while enabling native Android playback.
Reality: AIFF is Mac-world format. If you're Android user, embrace Android formats (FLAC for lossless, AAC/Opus for lossy). Convert your AIFF library to FLAC for lossless Android compatibility. Trying to force AIFF on Android is fighting ecosystem differences - convert and move on.
What are AIFF technical specifications?
AIFF format key specifications:
Compression
None. AIFF stores uncompressed PCM audio. What you record = what's stored. No data loss, no compression artifacts.
Sample Rates
Any sample rate supported: 44.1kHz (CD), 48kHz (video), 88.2/96kHz (high-res), 192kHz (ultra-high-res). Flexible standard.
Bit Depths
Common: 16-bit (CD quality), 24-bit (professional recording), 32-bit float (advanced processing). AIFF handles all depths.
File Size
44.1kHz/16-bit stereo = ~10MB per minute. 96kHz/24-bit stereo = ~34MB per minute. Scales linearly with specs.
Byte Order
Big-endian (Motorola/PowerPC standard). Contrast with WAV's little-endian. This is why file structures differ.
AIFF is straightforward uncompressed audio. No tricks, no compression - just raw PCM data in Apple-compatible wrapper.
Can I convert MP3 to AIFF to improve quality?
No! Converting MP3 to AIFF doesn't improve quality at all. You're just making massive files with no audio benefit. MP3 already threw away audio data when it was encoded - converting to AIFF doesn't bring that data back. You get MP3-quality audio in bloated AIFF file. Completely pointless conversion that wastes storage.
What happens: MP3 decoder converts compressed MP3 to PCM audio, then AIFF saves that PCM data uncompressed. The audio quality is still limited by original MP3 encoding - compression artifacts, frequency cutoffs, stereo manipulation all remain. AIFF wrapper doesn't fix MP3's lossy compression. You just have huge files with MP3-level quality.
Useful conversions: AIFF to MP3/AAC makes sense (archival quality to portable format). AIFF to ALAC/FLAC makes sense (save storage without quality loss). MP3 to AIFF is useless. Keep MP3 as MP3 if that's all you have. If you want high quality, find the original source (CD, lossless download) and encode from that.
How do AIFF-C and AIFF differ?
AIFF-C is compressed variant of AIFF:
Standard AIFF
Uncompressed PCM audio only. No compression algorithms. Simple, large files. Original 1988 spec.
AIFF-C (Compressed)
Supports compressed audio: IMA ADPCM, ยต-law, A-law, MACE. Extension of AIFF standard from 1991. .aifc or .aiff extension.
Practical Use
AIFF-C is rarely used today. Compression schemes are outdated. Modern equivalents (ALAC, FLAC) are better. AIFF-C is legacy.
Compatibility
AIFF-C support is less universal than plain AIFF. Some software chokes on compressed AIFF. Avoid unless specific reason.
Recommendation
Use standard AIFF for uncompressed. Use ALAC/FLAC for lossless compression. Ignore AIFF-C - it's obsolete.
File Extension
.aiff for both standard and compressed. Sometimes .aifc for compressed variant. Extension doesn't guarantee which type.
Modern Alternative
ALAC replaced AIFF-C as Apple's compressed lossless format. Better compression, better support, actively maintained.
Legacy Software
Old Mac software might create AIFF-C. Modern software creates standard AIFF or ALAC instead.
Audio Quality
AIFF-C codecs (IMA, ยต-law) are lossy. Not suitable for quality archival. Use lossless formats (ALAC/FLAC) instead.
Historical Note
AIFF-C made sense in 1990s (storage expensive). Today's cheap storage makes compression less critical. Uncompressed AIFF or lossless ALAC/FLAC are modern choices.
Should I use AIFF for music production?
Yes, if you use Logic Pro or other Apple-centric DAWs. AIFF is native format, seamlessly integrated, handles metadata well. Logic Pro defaults to AIFF for bounced tracks. Using AIFF keeps workflow smooth in Apple ecosystem. No conversion overhead, no compatibility issues within Mac production environment.
Consider WAV if: collaborating with Pro Tools users (industry standard), working cross-platform (Windows/Mac), delivering to clients who expect WAV. AIFF and WAV are interchangeable quality-wise, so choice is ecosystem/workflow preference. If your DAW and collaborators use AIFF, use AIFF. If they use WAV, use WAV.
During production: AIFF/WAV for tracking, editing, mixing (uncompressed workflow). Final deliverables: ask client preference (some want AIFF, some want WAV, some want specific specs). Personal archive: convert to ALAC/FLAC (save space, keep quality). AIFF is excellent for production, just convert for efficient storage later.
Can I convert AIFF without losing quality?
Yes, to lossless formats: AIFF to ALAC is bit-perfect (no quality loss). AIFF to FLAC is bit-perfect. AIFF to WAV is bit-perfect. All lossless conversions preserve every bit of audio data. These conversions are mathematically perfect - you can convert back and forth without any generation loss.
Quality loss happens converting to lossy: AIFF to MP3/AAC/Ogg discards audio data. High-bitrate lossy (256-320kbps AAC/MP3) sounds excellent but isn't identical to AIFF. Use lossy for portable devices, streaming, file sharing where space matters. Use lossless for archival, editing, mastering where quality is paramount.
Best practice: Keep lossless master (AIFF, ALAC, FLAC) for archival. Convert to lossy formats as needed for specific uses (iPhone library, car stereo, web sharing). Never edit lossy files - always work from lossless masters. This workflow preserves quality while giving you portable versions.
Why is my AIFF file corrupted?
AIFF corruption usually comes from: incomplete downloads (file truncated), storage media errors (bad hard drive sectors), software bugs (improper AIFF writing), improper file transfers (FTP binary mode issues). Because AIFF lacks compression, corruption often manifests as audio glitches, pops, dropouts rather than complete unplayability.
Repair attempts: Audio repair software (iZotope RX, Audacity) can sometimes extract playable audio from corrupted AIFF. Try opening in different audio software (VLC, Logic Pro, Audacity) - some handle corruption better. Convert to WAV (sometimes fixes header issues). If file is mostly intact, you might salvage majority of audio.
Prevention: Use reliable storage (SSDs over aging HDDs). Back up important audio files (multiple copies, different locations). Verify file integrity after transfers (check filesizes match). Use checksums (MD5/SHA) for critical files. AIFF doesn't have built-in error correction, so prevention is key.
What's the best way to store AIFF files long-term?
Convert to ALAC or FLAC for archival! Lossless compression saves 40-60% space with zero quality loss. AIFF's lack of compression wastes storage unnecessarily. ALAC if you're Apple-centric (native support, metadata compatibility). FLAC if you want open standard (better long-term format safety, wider software support).
Storage strategy: Multiple backups on different media (local hard drive, NAS, cloud backup). Use 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies, 2 different media types, 1 off-site. Verify backups periodically (ensure files aren't corrupted). Keep organized folder structure with metadata. Consider raid array for local redundancy.
Format future-proofing: AIFF is established format but wastes space. ALAC/FLAC have better long-term prospects - actively maintained, open specs, efficient storage. Converting AIFF to ALAC/FLAC now ensures your archive remains accessible and efficient for decades. Do it before your drive fills up!
AIFF vs WAV vs ALAC vs FLAC - which should I use?
AIFF: Uncompressed, Mac/Logic Pro workflow, great metadata. Use for active editing on Apple systems. WAV: Uncompressed, universal compatibility, industry standard. Use for cross-platform work and client deliverables. Both are identical quality, just choose based on ecosystem.
ALAC: Lossless compression (50% smaller than AIFF), Apple ecosystem native support. Use for Apple-based music library archival. FLAC: Lossless compression (50% smaller), open-source, widest support. Use for long-term archival, Android devices, open-source software. Both preserve perfect quality while saving space.
Recommendation: Production/editing: AIFF (Mac) or WAV (PC). Archival: ALAC (Apple users) or FLAC (everyone else). Portable: AAC 256kbps (Apple) or MP3 320kbps (universal). Use uncompressed for work, lossless for storage, lossy for convenience. Convert as needed between these - you have flexibility.