Before you know the audio formats, know that they are divided into two main groups: the compressed and the uncompressed.
Uncompressed formats are those in which the audio quality is assessed and without loss of information, which guarantees that the audios are practically identical to the real ones. Tablets reduce the original file size, taking up less space on your computer or cell phone memory. However, the quality and information may be compromised.
It is worth mentioning that it is not just a good format that guarantees that the end result will be of excellent sound quality. You need to do your part, too, using good audio software to make the necessary changes and “cleanup,” as well as using quality equipment to record your voice.
1. Advanced Audio Coding (AAC)
It is considered the main competitor to the most famous format on the Internet, MP3, and is commonly used on Apple devices, based on the MPEG-4 standard.
Compared to MP3, AAC has more flexibility, which means you will experience less data loss and quality when compressed. Also, it has a better level at lower bit rates, such as 128 kbps.
2. OGG Vorbis
This is a non-proprietary format, that is, they have no restrictions for audio players to play it. Also, it has a better compression rate than MP3, however it is not as well known or advertised.
It is widely used in game audio, because among other qualities, it brings open source, which provides greater customization, but is difficult to standardize. Its audio quality is quite satisfactory.
3. MP3
Considered the most popular audio format in the world, MP3 offers high compatibility, allowing music and audio to be played in virtually any program or media player.
It was created in Germany and uses the so-called perceptual encoding, which encodes only the sounds that humans can hear. Of all, it manages to be the most balanced in terms of quality versus size.
It may get to lower bit rates, but there may be a final quality loss.
4. WMA
This is Microsoft’s standard format and also quite popular. Unlike MP3, WMA allows the creation of content-protected copies, thus preventing your music or other audio productions from being pirated.
Microsoft’s proposal is that the format achieve a sound property equivalent to that of MP3, but in a much smaller size. In practice, this does not happen, but at low bit rates the result is very similar.
It offers four codecs:
Standard WMA: acts as an MP3 repeater;
WMA Pro: guarantees higher definition audio;
WMA Lossless: allows file compression without loss of quality;
WMA Voice – Aimed at low bit rate voice recordings.
5. MP2
Although it already has a successor, MP2 is still widely used, being the standard format for transmitting radio and television audio. It is a file extension for MPEG -1 layer II playback (MP3 plays in MPEG -1/2 layer III).
One of the attributes of the MP2 is that it still has great compatibility, as well as fewer errors than its successor. In addition to having better performance in audios with higher bit rates.
6. Real Audio
RealNetworks proprietary format. They have multiple audio codecs and great performance for those with low bit rates. It was constantly used in dial-up modems, hi-fi formats for music and streaming, as is the case with web radio.
RealNetworks is an internet provider that works with streaming services. It was founded by a former Microsoft executive and also offers entertainment services through subscriptions.
7. Audio Coding 3 (AC3)
Created in 1983 by Dolby Laboratories, AC3 is primarily used in DVDs, Blu-ray players, home theaters, and HDTV playback. It can reproduce frequencies between 20 and 20,000 Hz, which is equivalent to the human audible sound.
Therefore, the AC3 can reproduce unique and detailed sounds, with very good quality. Its bit rate goes up to 640kpbs and its display speed goes up to 48kHz.
8. WAV
One of the best characteristics of this format is that it has a high sound fidelity rate, that is, it faithfully reproduces what was recorded without compression or loss of data.
It is widely used by those who work with audio editing, since it will be able to manipulate the real sound and without any interference. It is also considered for those who need more definition and sound fidelity as possible for their productions.
