Analyzing the main audio formats
As you organize your digital music collection, you can dive into a variety of audio file formats. Almost everyone has heard of MP3, but what is OGG, AIFF, or MQA?
If, after reading the list, you have the suspicion that all these formats for obtaining such chic abbreviations were studied in different universities, we will help to dispel it. This material will clarify the essence of some popular music formats, the difference between them and why it is important to know them.
Regardless of what you’re listening to – low-bit-rate MP3s, slightly better tracks in AAC, or high-resolution audio in FLAC or WAV – it’s time to find out exactly what you’re getting in each case and how to choose the optimal format.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each.
A quick overview of file formats and codecs
In order not to beat around the bush, we’ll provide a quick guide to all file formats and the differences between them at first. If you want to know more, here is a more detailed description of the differences in size, sound quality and compatibility.
AAC (not a high resolution audio format). Apple’s popular alternative to MP3. Compressed and lossy, but with higher sound quality. Used to download from iTunes and stream from Apple Music.
AIFF (high resolution). Apple’s alternative to WAV with more complete metadata. It is not an uncompressed and lossy format very popular with large files.
DSD (high resolution). One-bit format used in Super Audio CD. Available in 2.8 MHz, 5.6 MHz and 11.2 MHz sample rates. Due to the use of a high quality codec, it is currently not used for transmission. Uncompressed format.
FLAC (high resolution). Lossless compression format supporting high-resolution supporting sample rates and metadata storage; the file size is half that of WAV. Due to the absence of royalties, it is considered the best format for downloading and storing albums in high resolution audio. Its main drawback is the lack of support for Apple devices (and therefore incompatibility with iTunes).
MP3 (not high resolution audio format). Popular compression and lossy format with small file size and far from the highest sound quality. Convenient for storing music on smartphones and iPods.
MQA (high resolution). Compressed format for storing high resolution files in an easier way to transmit. Used by the Tidal Masters service for high resolution audio streaming.
OGG (not high resolution audio format). He is sometimes referred to as his full name: Ogg Vorbis. An open source alternative to MP3 and AAC that is not covered by patents. This 320 kbps bit rate format is used in Spotify streams.
WAV (high resolution). The standard format in which all CDs are recorded. Great sound quality, but large files due to lack of compression. Weak support for metadata (versions, song titles and artists).
WMA Lossless (high resolution). An uncompressed version of Windows Media Audio, the compatibility of which is no longer often found on smartphones and tablets.
