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Supported Formats
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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
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is MAUD format?
MAUD (MacroSystem Audio) is an audio format from the Commodore Amiga computer, specifically associated with MacroSystem's Video Toaster and DraCo workstation systems from early-mid 1990s. MAUD handled 16-bit audio (upgrade from Amiga's standard 8-bit), stereo capabilities, and higher sample rates than Paula chip natively supported. Professional/prosumer Amiga audio format for video production and music work.
Technical context: Standard Amiga used 8-bit audio through Paula chip. MacroSystem's hardware added professional audio I/O bypassing Paula's limitations. MAUD format stored this higher-quality audio - 16-bit samples, up to 48kHz, stereo. This made Amiga competitive with professional audio workstations. MAUD was premium format for serious Amiga audio work, not casual gaming/demo scene audio.
Should I convert MAUD to WAV?
Converting MAUD makes sense:
Obsolete Platform
Amiga is 30+ year old platform. MAUD requires conversion for modern playback.
16-bit Quality
MAUD stores professional 16-bit audio worth preserving. Convert to WAV to maintain quality in accessible format.
Rare Format
Even rarer than 8SVX. Very few tools support MAUD. Convert while tools still exist.
Historical Value
MAUD from Video Toaster projects represents broadcast TV/video production history. Preservation matters.
Convert MAUD to WAV to preserve professional-quality Amiga audio and ensure accessibility as platform expertise vanishes.
What was MacroSystem and Video Toaster?
MacroSystem's Amiga professional systems:
Video Toaster
NewTek's revolutionary video production system for Amiga (1990). Desktop video editing, 3D graphics, switcher. TV production on desktop.
MacroSystem Hardware
German company making Amiga expansions. VLab video capture, Toccata audio card, DraCo workstation. Professional Amiga upgrades.
Broadcast Use
Video Toaster used in TV stations globally. Babylon 5 special effects, SeaQuest, news graphics. Professional broadcast tool.
DraCo Workstation
MacroSystem's standalone Amiga-compatible workstation (1994). Professional video/audio work. Used MAUD format natively.
Amiga Professional Era
Mid-1990s: Amiga competed in professional video production. Video Toaster + MacroSystem hardware enabled broadcast work.
Platform Death
Commodore bankruptcy (1994) killed Amiga. Video Toaster moved to PC. MacroSystem/DraCo became orphaned. MAUD format died with platform.
Legacy
Video Toaster pioneered desktop video production. Influenced modern video editing. MAUD files are artifacts from this revolutionary era.
MAUD format represents Amiga's professional broadcast video production capabilities - important chapter in computing and TV production history.
How do I convert MAUD to WAV?
SoX might support MAUD if compiled with Amiga format support: `sox input.maud output.wav`. However, MAUD support is less common than 8SVX. Not all SoX distributions include MAUD decoder. Test with your files; if SoX fails, you need specialized tools.
Amiga-specific tools: UADE (Unix Amiga Delitracker Emulator) sometimes handles MAUD. Amiga emulators (WinUAE, FS-UAE) with appropriate software can play/export MAUD. AudioMaster (original Amiga audio editor) could export MAUD to other formats - running in emulator with old software is authentic conversion path but complex.
For rare/problematic MAUD files: Contact Amiga preservation communities, Video Toaster user groups, retro video production forums. Specialists with MacroSystem hardware knowledge might have conversion tools or can perform conversions. MAUD is rarer than 8SVX; finding working converter is harder. Community assistance may be necessary.
What quality is MAUD audio?
Professional quality - 16-bit resolution (vs Amiga's standard 8-bit), stereo, sample rates up to 48kHz. This is CD-quality potential. MAUD files from serious video production or music work should contain high-quality audio comparable to professional digital audio from 1990s. Significant upgrade over standard Amiga 8-bit audio.
However, quality depends on source and recording chain. MAUD format supports professional quality, but actual audio quality depends on microphones, preamps, recording practices. If source was good and MacroSystem hardware used properly, MAUD contains excellent audio. If source was poor, MAUD faithfully preserved that poor quality. Format capability doesn't guarantee content quality.
Converting to WAV preserves MAUD quality exactly (both are uncompressed PCM). If MAUD was 16-bit/44.1kHz, WAV will be too. No quality loss from conversion - just changing container. For professional Amiga audio, expect quality worth preserving carefully. This isn't lo-fi 8-bit game audio - MAUD represented professional-grade Amiga capabilities.
What software plays MAUD files?
Almost nothing modern. Consumer media players (VLC, iTunes, Windows Media Player) don't recognize MAUD. Even Audacity probably lacks MAUD support. Format is too obscure and platform-specific for mainstream tool implementation. MAUD lived and died with professional Amiga ecosystem.
Amiga-specific tools: Original MacroSystem software (AudioMaster, Toccata drivers) played MAUD natively but runs only on real Amiga hardware or accurate emulators. Setting up Amiga emulation with proper audio software is complex. Practical only for serious Amiga preservation work, not casual MAUD playback.
Practical advice: Don't attempt MAUD playback. Convert to WAV with SoX or Amiga-specific converters. Fighting to play obscure 1990s Amiga format wastes time better spent on one-time conversion. MAUD is archival format requiring migration to modern container. Do conversion, move on with accessible audio.
Why was MAUD created instead of using standard formats?
Amiga ecosystem isolation: MacroSystem developed solutions for Amiga platform specifically. MAUD integrated with AmigaOS, MacroSystem hardware, and Amiga multimedia environment. Using external PC/Mac formats would complicate software and workflow. Platform-native format made sense within Amiga context.
Technical optimization: MAUD designed for MacroSystem hardware capabilities and Amiga OS file system. Could be simpler than adapting WAV/AIFF (which existed by early 1990s but weren't universal standards yet). Custom format allowed optimization for specific hardware and use cases (video sync, multi-channel expansion).
Era context: Early 1990s saw proliferation of proprietary formats - less standardization than today. Creating custom format wasn't unusual. Hindsight shows open standards win, but in 1991-1994, proprietary formats were normal. MacroSystem/MAUD became victim of platform death, not inherently bad decision for the time.
How does MAUD differ from 8SVX?
MAUD vs 8SVX comparison:
Bit Depth
MAUD: 16-bit. 8SVX: 8-bit. Double the audio resolution and dynamic range. Professional vs consumer quality.
Stereo Support
MAUD: full stereo. 8SVX: mono or simple stereo. MAUD better for music and video production.
Sample Rates
MAUD: up to 48kHz. 8SVX: limited by Paula chip (~28kHz max). MAUD enables CD-quality and professional rates.
Hardware
MAUD: MacroSystem hardware (Toccata, DraCo). 8SVX: native Paula chip. Different audio subsystems.
Use Cases
MAUD: professional video/audio production. 8SVX: games, demos, consumer multimedia. Different market segments.
8SVX was consumer Amiga audio standard. MAUD was professional upgrade. Both obsolete now, both need conversion.
Can I create MAUD files today?
Technically possible with Amiga emulation and old MacroSystem software, but why? MAUD is dead format with no modern use. Even Amiga enthusiasts use standard formats now. Creating MAUD produces files requiring immediate reconversion for any practical application. It's pointless technological archaeology unless specifically recreating historical Amiga environment for research.
Only conceivable reason: Historical video production research recreating Video Toaster workflow, or digital preservation work requiring authentic MAUD test files. Extreme edge cases affecting perhaps a dozen people worldwide. For any real audio/video production, use WAV or modern formats. MAUD creation serves no purpose.
If genuinely need MAUD: Run Amiga emulator with MacroSystem software and export audio as MAUD. Major effort for zero practical benefit. Don't do it unless specific research requirement mandates authentic MAUD format. Focus on converting existing MAUD to modern formats, not generating new obsolete files.
What's inside MAUD file structure?
MAUD format components:
IFF Structure
MAUD uses Amiga's IFF (Interchange File Format) container. Chunk-based structure like 8SVX. Standardized Amiga format convention.
MHDR Chunk
MAUD header with sample rate, bit depth, channels, data length. Audio parameters needed for playback.
MDAT Chunk
Audio data - 16-bit PCM samples. Uncompressed high-quality audio. Core content of MAUD file.
Big-Endian
Amiga used Motorola 68k (big-endian). MAUD audio data follows big-endian byte order. Platform characteristic.
Optional Chunks
MAUD might include annotation, author, copyright chunks. IFF allows metadata chunks. Implementation varied.
No Compression
MAUD stores uncompressed PCM. Professional approach prioritizing quality and simplicity over size.
Format Versions
MAUD evolved with MacroSystem hardware. Different versions might have slightly different structures. Documentation scarce.
Conversion Challenge
Proper MAUD conversion requires understanding IFF structure and MAUD-specific chunks. General converters may miss subtleties.
Binary Format
Not human-readable. Hex editor shows IFF chunk structure, but interpretation requires format documentation (rare).
Preservation Difficulty
Limited documentation and rare format makes MAUD preservation challenging. Convert while tools/knowledge still exist.
Are MAUD files common in Amiga archives?
Very rare - much less common than 8SVX. MacroSystem hardware was expensive professional equipment, not consumer Amiga standard. Small user base created relatively few MAUD files. Most archived Amiga audio is 8SVX (consumer) or MOD (tracker music). MAUD appears only in professional Amiga archives - Video Toaster projects, DraCo workstation files, MacroSystem user materials.
Where to find: Video Toaster production archives, broadcast TV station Amiga backups, professional Amiga musician collections, MacroSystem user group archives. These are niche sources. General Amiga game/demo archives rarely contain MAUD - wrong market segment. MAUD represents professional/industrial Amiga use, not hobbyist scene.
Preservation priority: MAUD files you have might be among few surviving examples of professional Amiga audio work. Rarity increases historical value. Convert to WAV for accessibility but preserve originals with documentation. Professional Amiga multimedia was significant computing achievement - deserves preservation even if obscure.
How do I batch convert MAUD files?
If SoX supports MAUD: PowerShell: `Get-ChildItem -Filter *.maud | ForEach-Object { sox $_.Name "$($_.BaseName).wav" }`. Bash: `for f in *.maud; do sox "$f" "${f%.maud}.wav"; done`. Test one file first - MAUD support is uncommon. Batch conversion only works if your tool handles MAUD properly.
For Amiga-specific tools: Might require manual one-by-one conversion or scripting within Amiga emulator environment. UADE or emulated Amiga software typically designed for interactive use, not batch processing. Writing batch scripts for Amiga tools is advanced task requiring platform knowledge.
Document conversions: For professional Amiga material, record conversion process meticulously. Note tool, version, settings, date, any issues. MAUD files often come from broadcast/production contexts - proper archival documentation matters. Metadata about conversion establishes reliability for historical purposes.
What happened to Video Toaster and Amiga professional market?
Commodore bankruptcy (1994) killed Amiga platform. Even though Video Toaster was successful (used in TV production worldwide), platform death doomed Amiga version. NewTek ported Video Toaster to Windows NT (1995), salvaging software but abandoning Amiga. Amiga professional market collapsed with Commodore - no future for professional tools on dead platform.
Technology migration: Video production moved to Windows/Mac (Avid, Final Cut, Premiere), 3D graphics moved to SGI workstations and later Windows/Mac (3D Studio, Lightwave). Amiga's professional capabilities were impressive but tied to failing platform. Technology survived; platform didn't. MAUD format was casualty of platform death.
Legacy: Video Toaster proved desktop video production was viable. Influenced industry toward computer-based broadcast tools (now universal). Amiga professional era was brief (1990-1994) but impactful. MAUD files are artifacts from this transitional period when desktop computers entered professional video production. Historical significance beyond just audio content.
What can MAUD teach about format longevity?
Platform dependency is fatal: MAUD was tied to Amiga platform. When platform died, format died with it. Cross-platform formats (WAV, AIFF) survived because they existed independent of any single vendor or hardware platform. Lesson: choose formats not dependent on specific platform's survival.
Niche markets vulnerable: MAUD served small professional Amiga market. When broader platform collapsed, niche professional segment couldn't sustain format. Mass-market formats (even if technically inferior) survive through large user base. Small markets can't maintain format ecosystem long-term.
Documentation crucial: MAUD has limited documentation. Format understanding relies on reverse engineering and institutional knowledge from shrinking Amiga community. Well-documented standards (even proprietary ones with public specs) survive better. Undocumented formats risk becoming permanently unreadable when user community disappears.
Should I preserve MAUD files or just WAV conversions?
Preserve both for professional Amiga history: MAUD files represent professional broadcast and video production on Amiga - significant computing and media production history. Original files are authentic artifacts. WAV conversions provide accessibility. Storage costs trivial compared to historical value. Keep both.
Document extensively: What project created MAUD files? Video Toaster production? DraCo music work? TV broadcast graphics? MacroSystem hardware used? Dates, people involved, technical setup. Context makes MAUD files meaningful historical artifacts instead of anonymous audio. Metadata preservation is part of proper archival work.
Submit to preservation projects: Internet Archive, computer history museums, broadcast archives might want MAUD files from professional Amiga era. Video Toaster material especially has broadcast history significance. Don't hoard rare formats - share with preservation institutions. Redundant preservation protects against individual data loss. MAUD deserves professional archival treatment.