什么是WAV？
WAV（波形音频文件格式）是由微软和IBM开发的无损音频格式，存储原始音频数据，提供完美的质量，但文件大小非常大。
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What is it?
WAV（波形音频文件格式）是由微软和IBM于1991年开发的，作为RIFF规范的一部分。它存储原始的、无损的音频数据 - 原始录音的每个样本都被保留，没有任何压缩或质量损失。
WAV是音频制作、广播和归档的标准格式。一个1分钟的CD质量（44.1kHz，16位）的立体声WAV文件大约占用10 MB的存储空间，而相同内容的MP3文件大约占用1 MB。
Technical Specifications
Pros & Cons
Advantages
Zero compression means zero quality loss - the exact waveform is preserved.
The universal format for professional audio recording, editing, and broadcasting.
Supports up to 32-bit depth and 192 kHz sample rate for studio-grade recordings.
Supported by every digital audio workstation and audio software in existence.
Disadvantages
1 minute of stereo CD-quality audio is about 10 MB - 10x larger than MP3.
File sizes are too large for practical music streaming or download distribution.
WAV has poor native metadata support compared to MP3 ID3 tags or FLAC tags.
Standard WAV format has a 4 GB file size limit due to the RIFF header structure.
When to Use It
当音频质量是首要考虑因素，而存储空间不是问题时，WAV是正确的选择。
Audio Production
Recording studios and DAWs use WAV as the working format during recording and mixing.
Broadcasting
Radio and TV broadcast workflows require uncompressed audio for quality control.
Sound Design
Sound effects, foley, and sample libraries are distributed in WAV for maximum quality.
Archiving
Permanent audio archives use WAV or FLAC to preserve recordings indefinitely.
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Is WAV better than MP3?
WAV is higher quality because it is lossless. But for listening, most people cannot distinguish high-bitrate MP3 from WAV. Use WAV for production and archiving, MP3 for distribution.
Is WAV the same as FLAC?
Both are lossless, but different. WAV is uncompressed and larger. FLAC is lossless but compressed - typically 50-60% smaller than WAV with identical audio quality. FLAC also supports better metadata.
Can I stream WAV files?
Technically yes, but it is impractical. A 3-minute song in WAV is 30 MB vs 3 MB in MP3. Streaming services convert audio to compressed formats for efficient delivery.
What is the difference between WAV and AIFF?
They are essentially equivalent - both are uncompressed audio containers. WAV was developed by Microsoft for Windows, AIFF by Apple. They are interchangeable for professional audio work.
Should I record in WAV or MP3?
Always record in WAV (or another lossless format). You can always convert to MP3 later, but you cannot recover quality from a lossy recording. Record lossless, distribute compressed.