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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 μ-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
Upload your files, select output format, and download converted files instantly. Our converter supports batch conversion and maintains high quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MKA and how is it different from MKV?
MKA is Matroska Audio - the audio-only version of MKV (Matroska Video) container format. MKV holds video, audio, subtitles; MKA holds just audio. Both are flexible open-source container formats that can wrap various codecs. MKA is to MKV what M4A is to MP4 - same container technology, different content focus.
Why MKA exists: Matroska wanted separate extensions for different content types (MKV for video, MKA for audio, MKS for subtitles). This makes file purpose clear. However, MKV can contain audio-only content too - MKA is just the official designation for audio Matroska files.
Should I convert MKA to FLAC or other formats?
Reasons to convert MKA:
Better Compatibility
MKA is niche format. FLAC/M4A/MP3 work everywhere. Converting ensures all devices can play your audio.
Correct Format
MKA is container, not codec. Inside might be FLAC, MP3, AAC. Extracting to proper format removes unnecessary wrapper.
Simpler Organization
Music players expect FLAC, MP3, M4A. MKA confuses library managers. Use standard formats for better metadata handling.
Mobile Support
Phones and portable players rarely support MKA. FLAC/AAC/MP3 are standard mobile formats. Convert for portability.
Unless you have specific reason to use MKA, extract audio to appropriate format (FLAC for lossless, AAC/MP3 for lossy).
What audio codec is inside my MKA file?
Identifying MKA contents:
FFmpeg Probe
`ffmpeg -i file.mka` shows codec information. Look for 'Audio: flac' or 'Audio: aac' or 'Audio: mp3' in output.
MediaInfo
GUI tool showing detailed format info. Displays codec, bitrate, channels, sample rate. Cross-platform.
VLC Info
Open MKA in VLC, Tools > Codec Information. Shows audio codec, bitrate, format details.
File Properties
Some systems show codec in file properties. Not reliable but worth checking quickly.
Common Contents
MKA typically contains FLAC (lossless), AAC, MP3, or DTS/AC3 (surround). Rarely obscure codecs.
Why It Matters
Knowing codec determines conversion strategy. FLAC inside? Extract as FLAC. MP3 inside? Extract as MP3.
Avoid Re-encoding
If MKA contains desired codec, extract without conversion. Saves quality, faster processing.
MKA is wrapper - what's inside matters. Identify codec before deciding whether to extract or convert.
How do I extract audio from MKA without re-encoding?
FFmpeg copy method: `ffmpeg -i input.mka -codec:a copy output.flac` (if MKA contains FLAC) or `ffmpeg -i input.mka -codec:a copy output.mp3` (if MP3). The `-codec:a copy` copies audio stream without re-encoding - fast and lossless. File extension should match codec inside MKA.
Determining correct extension: Use `ffmpeg -i input.mka` first to see codec. If it says 'Audio: flac', use .flac extension. If 'Audio: aac', use .m4a. If 'Audio: mp3', use .mp3. Matching extension to codec ensures proper playback.
GUI alternative: MKVToolNix (mkvextract command) can extract MKA contents without re-encoding. Right-click MKA in MKVToolNix GUI, extract tracks, choose output format matching codec. Or use Avidemux (open MKA, set audio to Copy, save with appropriate extension). Extraction is always preferable to conversion when keeping same codec.
Does MKA support metadata and album art?
Yes! Matroska has robust metadata support - artist, album, title, track numbers, genre, year, composer, lyrics, and embedded cover art (attachments). MKA can store rich metadata similar to FLAC or M4A. However, software support for MKA metadata is inconsistent - many music players don't read MKA tags properly.
Metadata types: Matroska uses tag system (key-value pairs), plus attachments for cover art and files. This is more flexible than ID3 (MP3) or Vorbis Comments (FLAC) but less standardized. Some taggers don't handle Matroska tags, making library management difficult.
Practical issue: Because MKA is uncommon, music library managers (iTunes, MediaMonkey, MusicBee) have poor MKA support. Even if MKA has metadata, players might not read it. For organized music libraries, use FLAC or M4A - better tag support, better player integration, same audio quality.
Why would anyone use MKA instead of FLAC?
Flexibility: MKA can contain ANY audio codec - FLAC, DTS, AC3, AAC, MP3, Opus, even multiple tracks. FLAC file can only contain FLAC codec. If you're archiving multichannel or exotic audio, MKA's flexibility helps. But for standard stereo music, FLAC is simpler and better-supported.
Chapter support: MKA inherits Matroska's chapter system, useful for audiobooks, concerts, or mixes where you want navigation points. FLAC has limited chapter support. But dedicated audiobook formats (M4B) are better for this purpose anyway.
Honestly? Most people use MKA by accident. Encoder defaulted to .mka extension, or user ripped audio-only content using MKV tools. There's rarely deliberate reason to choose MKA over format-specific containers. It works fine but offers little advantage for typical music/audio storage.
Can I convert MKA to FLAC losslessly?
Depends on what's inside MKA! If MKA contains FLAC codec, extraction is lossless - you're just removing container wrapper, audio stream is already FLAC. Perfect quality preservation. If MKA contains lossy codec (MP3, AAC), converting to FLAC won't improve quality - you're creating large file from lossy source (pointless).
Check codec first: `ffmpeg -i file.mka` shows audio codec. If 'Audio: flac', extract with `-codec:a copy` and rename to .flac - perfectly lossless. If 'Audio: aac' or 'Audio: mp3', don't convert to FLAC - keep as lossy format or convert to different lossy format. Converting lossy to lossless just wastes space.
Exception: If MKA contains uncompressed PCM or other lossless codec (like TTA, WavPack), converting to FLAC is legitimate lossless conversion. You're changing lossless compression method, not degrading quality. But this is rare - most MKA files contain FLAC or lossy codecs.
What software can play MKA files?
MKA playback support:
VLC Media Player
Best option - cross-platform, free, handles MKA perfectly. Plays any codec inside MKA container.
foobar2000
Windows audio player with excellent MKA support. Good for music libraries that include MKA files.
mpv
Minimalist but powerful player. Command-line focused. Handles MKA, MKV, everything. Cross-platform.
Kodi
Home theater software. Full Matroska support including MKA. Good for whole-house audio.
MPC-HC (Windows)
Media Player Classic - Home Cinema. Lightweight, supports MKA and other formats well.
Desktop support for MKA is good in full-featured players. Mobile support is poor - convert MKA for phone playback.
Should I batch convert MKA files to standard formats?
Yes, if: You want portable device compatibility (MKA doesn't work on most phones), organizing music library (better player/tagger support for FLAC/M4A), or simplifying collection (fewer format types to manage). Batch conversion from MKA to appropriate formats improves usability.
Batch conversion strategy: Identify codec in MKA files first (script with FFmpeg to check all files). If FLAC inside, extract to .flac. If AAC, extract to .m4a. If MP3, extract to .mp3. If other lossless, convert to FLAC. If other lossy, convert to AAC/MP3. Match conversion to codec type for best results.
FFmpeg batch script (Windows PowerShell): `Get-ChildItem -Filter *.mka | ForEach-Object { ffmpeg -i $_.Name -codec:a copy "$($_.BaseName).flac" }` (assuming FLAC inside). Adjust extension and codec settings based on actual MKA contents. Test one file before processing hundreds.
How do I create MKA files?
Creating MKA from audio:
FFmpeg Mux
`ffmpeg -i audio.flac -codec:a copy output.mka` wraps audio in Matroska container. No quality loss.
MKVToolNix
GUI tool for creating Matroska files. Drag audio, set output to MKA, mux. Handles metadata, chapters.
Why Create MKA?
Limited reasons - multichannel audio archival, chapter navigation needs, or multiple audio tracks in one file.
Usually Unnecessary
For typical music, use FLAC or M4A directly. MKA adds complexity without benefits for standard use.
Technical Projects
MKA makes sense for audio archival projects, audiobook creation, or when Matroska features are specifically needed.
Convert Back
If you created MKA and regret it, easy to extract audio back to native format. No harm done.
Audiobook Use
MKA with chapters works for audiobooks. But M4B (M4A with chapters) is more compatible format.
Archival Projects
Preserving CD+G (karaoke), multi-track concerts, or unusual audio? MKA's flexibility helps.
Standard Music
For regular music collection: don't create MKA. Use FLAC (lossless) or AAC/MP3 (lossy). Simpler.
Container Choice
MKA is technically fine but socially unpopular. Use formats people expect for better compatibility.
Does converting MKA lose quality?
Extracting without re-encoding: No quality loss! If you extract FLAC from MKA to .flac file using `-codec:a copy`, it's bit-perfect. Same for MP3, AAC, or any codec. You're just removing container wrapper, leaving audio stream unchanged. This is preferred method whenever possible.
Converting codec: Yes, quality loss if transcoding lossy-to-lossy. If MKA contains MP3 and you convert to AAC, quality degrades. If MKA contains FLAC and you convert to MP3, you lose lossless quality (but this is intentional compression). If MKA contains lossless and you convert to different lossless, no loss (FLAC to ALAC is fine).
Best practice: Always identify codec inside MKA first. Extract matching format without conversion. Only convert if you need different codec for compatibility reasons. Unnecessary conversions waste quality and processing time. MKA is just wrapper - respect codec inside and extract appropriately.
Why is MKA so uncommon compared to MKV?
Video needs containers: MKV solves real problem - wrapping video, audio, subtitles, chapters together. Matroska's flexibility and openness make it excellent video container, better than AVI/MP4 for many uses. MKV filled genuine need.
Audio doesn't: For audio, format-specific containers work fine. FLAC for lossless, M4A for AAC, MP3 is self-contained. No compelling reason to wrap audio in Matroska. Music players, taggers, and users expect standard formats. MKA adds layer without adding value.
Network effects: Everyone uses FLAC/M4A/MP3, so tools support them well. MKA support is afterthought in most audio software. Without critical mass of users, MKA remains niche. It's fine technically but socially rejected - format adoption isn't just technical merit.
Can MKA contain multiple audio tracks?
Yes! This is one of MKA's actual advantages. Matroska supports multiple audio tracks with different languages, codecs, or channel configurations in single file. Example: MKA with English commentary, Spanish translation, and 5.1 surround version. Player switches between tracks as needed.
Use cases: Audiobooks with multiple narrators, albums with instrumental versions included, multichannel + stereo downmix in one file, or multi-language content. MKA's multiple track support is legitimately useful for these scenarios. But M4A and other containers support multiple tracks too.
Reality check: How often do you need multiple audio tracks in audio-only file? Rarely. For video (MKV), multiple audio tracks are common and useful. For pure audio, single track per file is standard practice. MKA's multiple track capability is solution looking for problem.
How do I batch extract audio from MKA files?
Windows PowerShell: `Get-ChildItem -Filter *.mka | ForEach-Object { ffmpeg -i $_.Name -codec:a copy "$($_.BaseName).flac" }` extracts all MKA to FLAC (assuming FLAC codec inside). Change extension to match actual codec.
Linux/Mac bash: `for f in *.mka; do ffmpeg -i "$f" -codec:a copy "${f%.mka}.flac"; done` processes folder. Adjust output extension based on codec inside MKA files. Test single file before batch processing hundreds.
MKVToolNix batch: mkvextract command-line tool processes multiple files. `mkvextract tracks input.mka 0:output.flac` for single file. Script this for batch processing. GUI version also supports batch operations through queue system.
MKA vs FLAC vs M4A - which should I use?
Use FLAC for: Lossless music archival, standard music library, maximum compatibility, simple organization. FLAC is THE standard lossless format - universal support, excellent tagging, open-source, perfect quality. For 99% of lossless audio needs, FLAC is correct choice.
Use M4A for: Lossy music optimized for space/portability, Apple ecosystem integration, modern efficient codec (AAC). M4A is standard lossy container, works everywhere, good tagging support. For compressed music that sounds great, M4A with AAC at 256kbps is excellent.
Use MKA for: Multiple audio tracks in single file (rare need), unusual codecs needing flexible container (niche), or specific Matroska features like advanced chapters. MKA is technically fine but socially unpopular - use only if standard formats don't meet needs. For normal music, ignore MKA and use FLAC or M4A.