Bit Depth: Understanding its Role in Audio Resolution

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Bit Depth: Understanding its Role in Audio Resolution

What is the importance of bit depth in audio resolution?

When it comes to audio resolution, bit depth plays a crucial role. Bit depth refers to the number of bits used to represent the amplitude of an audio signal. In simpler terms, it determines the level of detail and accuracy with which sound can be captured and reproduced. The higher the bit depth, the more precise the audio representation, resulting in greater dynamic range and fidelity.
Higher bit depths enable a wider range of possible values, allowing for more nuanced audio reproduction. In digital audio, the most common bit depths are 16-bit and 24-bit. A 16-bit audio signal can represent 65,536 discrete amplitude levels, while a 24-bit signal can represent a staggering 16,777,216 levels. This significant increase in resolution allows for more accurate representation of subtle audio nuances, resulting in a more realistic and immersive listening experience.

Moreover, higher bit depths help reduce quantization noise, which can degrade the audio quality. Quantization noise is the distortion introduced when the continuous analog audio signal is converted into a discrete digital representation. By increasing the number of bits used for quantization, the quantization noise can be pushed to lower levels, effectively minimizing its impact on the audio signal. This reduction in noise contributes to improved audio fidelity and a cleaner sound.

The impact of bit depth on audio recording

The choice of bit depth during audio recording has a significant impact on the quality and flexibility of the recorded material. When capturing audio, it is crucial to select an appropriate bit depth based on the desired outcome and the dynamic range of the source material.
For capturing music with a wide dynamic range or for critical recording applications, a higher bit depth, such as 24-bit, is preferred. This ensures that the delicate nuances and subtle variations in the performance are faithfully captured without losing detail. With a higher bit depth, there is ample headroom to accommodate sudden spikes in volume, preventing clipping and distortion.

On the other hand, for applications where the dynamic range is limited, such as voice recordings or podcasting, a lower bit depth, such as 16-bit, can be sufficient. Since these types of recordings typically have a smaller range between the softest and loudest sounds, the additional precision offered by higher bit depths may not be necessary. Using a lower bit depth can help conserve storage space and streamline the post-production process.

The benefits of higher bit depths in audio production

In audio production, working with higher bit depths offers several advantages that contribute to the overall quality of the final mix. Let’s explore some of these benefits:
1. Increased headroom: Higher bit depths provide more headroom, allowing audio engineers to work with greater flexibility during the mixing and mastering stages. This additional headroom ensures that any adjustments made to the audio levels or effects do not result in clipping or distortion.

2. Enhanced processing capabilities: Working with higher bit depths provides greater precision for applying audio processing effects, such as equalization, compression, and reverb. This precision allows for more accurate and transparent manipulation of the audio signal, resulting in a polished and professional sound.

The role of bit depth in audio playback

The bit depth of an audio file also impacts its playback quality. When playing back audio, it is important to ensure that the playback system supports the bit depth of the audio file. If the playback system is not capable of reproducing the full bit depth, the audio may be truncated or quantized, leading to a loss of detail and fidelity.
Furthermore, downsampling or converting high-resolution audio files with a higher bit depth to a lower bit depth can result in a loss of information and audio quality. It is essential to carefully consider the bit depth compatibility between the source material and the playback system to ensure an accurate and faithful reproduction of the audio.

Final Words

Bit depth plays a fundamental role in audio resolution, influencing the accuracy, fidelity, and dynamic range of the sound. Understanding the importance of bit depth in audio recording, production, and playback allows for informed decisions to be made regarding the selection and handling of audio files. By leveraging higher bit depths, audio professionals can achieve higher quality recordings and deliver an exceptional listening experience to their audiences.
Keywords (LSI): audio fidelity, dynamic range, quantization noise, recording quality, audio production, audio playback, higher resolution, audio nuances, digital representation, accurate reproduction, audio engineers, playback system, audio file compatibility.

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What is the difference between bit depth and bitrate?

Understanding Bit Depth and Bitrate

When it comes to audio and video files, there are two terms that are often used interchangeably: bit depth and bitrate. However, they are not the same thing. Bit depth refers to the number of bits used to represent each sample in an audio or video file, while bitrate refers to the amount of data transmitted per second.
Bit depth determines the number of possible values for each sample in a digital audio or video file. For example, an 8-bit audio file can have 256 possible values per sample, while a 16-bit file can have 65,536. The higher the bit depth, the more accurate the representation of the original sound or image.

On the other hand, bitrate refers to the amount of data transmitted per second in a digital file. In other words, it’s the rate at which data is encoded in a file. Higher bitrates typically mean higher quality files with more information, but also larger file sizes.

Audio Bit Depth vs Bitrate

When it comes to audio files, the bit depth and bitrate are both important factors in determining the quality of the sound. A higher bit depth means a more accurate representation of the original sound, while a higher bitrate means more data is transmitted per second, resulting in a higher quality sound.
However, it’s important to note that a higher bitrate does not necessarily mean a higher quality sound. If the original recording is of poor quality, increasing the bitrate will not improve the sound. In fact, it can actually result in larger file sizes with no improvement in sound quality.

Video Bit Depth vs Bitrate

Video files also have bit depth and bitrate, but they work slightly differently than in audio files. Bit depth determines the number of colors that can be represented in a video file, while bitrate determines the amount of data transmitted per second.
A higher bit depth means a wider range of colors can be represented in the video, resulting in a more accurate and vibrant image. However, a higher bitrate is also important for video files, as it determines the amount of detail that can be captured in each frame.

It’s important to find the right balance between bit depth and bitrate for video files, as increasing one can have a negative impact on the other. For example, a high bit depth with a low bitrate can result in a choppy or pixelated image, while a low bit depth with a high bitrate can result in a washed-out or blurry image.

Final Words

In conclusion, bit depth and bitrate are both important factors to consider when working with audio and video files. While they may seem similar, they serve different purposes and have different effects on the quality of the final product. It’s important to find the right balance between the two to ensure the best possible sound or image quality.
Keywords: audio bit depth, video bit depth, bit depth vs bitrate, bitrate definition, bitrate vs quality, audio quality, video quality, digital audio, digital video, file size, data transmission, accuracy, color representation, image quality, sound quality, audio recording, video recording, data encoding, pixelation, file format, media production, sound engineering, video editing, multimedia, digital media, technology, mp4gain, audio normalization, audio conversion, equalizer, windows, digital signal processing, dynamic

Audio Bit Depth Explained

Bit Depth

When it comes to producing or enjoying high-quality audio, understanding bit depth is essential. This technical aspect of digital audio determines the level of precision and accuracy with which sound is captured and reproduced. For sound engineers and audiophiles alike, a deep understanding of bit depth is a must-have skill for creating and experiencing truly exceptional sound.

What is Bit Depth?

Bit depth refers to the number of bits used to represent each sample in a digital audio file. Each sample represents the amplitude of the audio signal at a specific point in time. The bit depth determines the range of values that can be used to represent the amplitude of each sample. A higher bit depth provides a larger range of possible values, resulting in a more accurate representation of the audio signal. This, in turn, leads to a higher-quality audio recording.

Common bit depths used in audio recording and production include 16-bit, 24-bit, and 32-bit. The most common bit depth used in consumer audio devices is 16-bit, while 24-bit and 32-bit are more commonly used in professional audio production.

How Does Bit Depth Affect Audio Quality?

The bit depth of an audio recording has a significant impact on its overall quality. A higher bit depth provides a more accurate representation of the audio signal, resulting in a more natural and lifelike sound. With a higher bit depth, the audio signal can be recorded and processed with greater precision and accuracy, allowing for a wider dynamic range and more nuanced expression.

On the other hand, a lower bit depth can result in quantization errors, which can introduce distortion and noise into the audio signal. This can result in a loss of detail and clarity, particularly in quiet or complex passages of music.

Bit Depth and Dynamic Range

The dynamic range of an audio recording refers to the difference between the loudest and softest parts of the recording. A higher bit depth allows for a wider dynamic range, as the signal can be recorded with greater accuracy and precision. This means that even the softest parts of the recording can be captured with a higher level of detail and clarity, resulting in a more natural and lifelike sound.

For example, a recording of a classical music performance with a wide dynamic range may require a higher bit depth to capture the full range of dynamics and expression. Without a sufficient bit depth, the softer parts of the performance may be lost, resulting in a less engaging and less satisfying listening experience.

Conclusion

Understanding bit depth is crucial for anyone involved in the production or enjoyment of high-quality audio. By providing a more accurate representation of the audio signal, a higher bit depth can result in a more natural and lifelike sound, with a wider dynamic range and more nuanced expression. While a lower bit depth can result in quantization errors and a loss of detail and clarity, particularly in quiet or complex passages of music.

Overall, it is important to choose the appropriate bit depth for each recording or production, based on the dynamic range and complexity of the audio signal. By doing so, sound engineers and audiophiles can ensure that the audio they create or enjoy is of the highest quality possible.

As a final recommendation, we suggest using MP4Gain to adjust the volume and equalization of your digital audio files, ensuring that they are optimized for playback on a variety of devices and systems.

Understanding Audio Bit Depth: 8-bit vs. 16-bit vs. 24-bit

When it comes to digital audio, one of the most critical factors in determining the quality of a recording is the audio bit depth. In this article, we’ll delve into the technical details of audio bit depth and explore the differences between 8-bit, 16-bit, and 24-bit audio recordings.

Bit Depth

What is Audio Bit Depth?

In digital audio, sound waves are converted into a series of numerical values that can be stored and manipulated by computers. Audio bit depth refers to the number of bits of information used to represent each sample in a digital audio recording. Each sample represents the amplitude of the sound wave at a specific point in time.

The bit depth determines the range of possible values for each sample. For example, an 8-bit audio recording has 256 possible values, while a 16-bit recording has 65,536 possible values, and a 24-bit recording has over 16 million possible values. This increase in possible values provides greater resolution and accuracy, resulting in improved sound quality.

Dynamic Range

Another critical aspect of audio bit depth is dynamic range, which refers to the difference between the quietest and loudest sounds that can be recorded. With an increase in bit depth, the dynamic range of a recording also increases. For example, a 16-bit audio recording has a dynamic range of 96 dB, whereas a 24-bit recording has a dynamic range of 144 dB. This difference in dynamic range is quite significant and is one of the reasons why 24-bit audio is preferred for professional applications.

Quantization Noise

Quantization noise is an inherent part of digital audio and is introduced during the process of converting an analog audio signal to a digital representation. Quantization noise is essentially the difference between the actual analog signal and the closest quantized digital value. The more bits used for quantization, the lower the level of quantization noise.

However, as the bit depth increases, the noise introduced becomes less of an issue. At 16 bits, quantization noise is typically not audible, but it can become noticeable when processing audio. At 24 bits, quantization noise is virtually non-existent, even when processing audio.

Conclusion

In conclusion, audio bit depth plays a crucial role in the quality of digital audio recordings. Increasing the bit depth of an audio recording provides greater resolution and accuracy, resulting in improved sound quality. Professionals in the music industry typically prefer 24-bit audio due to its higher dynamic range and lower quantization noise. However, for most consumer applications, 16-bit audio is perfectly adequate and results in high-quality sound.

It is also important to note that bit depth is just one aspect of digital audio quality. Other factors such as sample rate and compression algorithms also play a significant role in determining the overall quality of a digital audio recording. Nonetheless, understanding audio bit depth is a crucial step in the journey to becoming a proficient audio engineer or producer.

The difference between 16 and 24 bit depth

Analog / Digital Conversion

When you record a guitar into digital audio, the guitar’s analog signal is converted to digital signal for storage on your computer.

Since the analog signal can take an infinite number of values while computers have limited capacity, it is sampled according to two parameters:

Sample Rate: This is the number of times per second when measuring an analog signal (often we are at 44,100 Hz, or 44,100 times per second)
Resolution: defines the number of possible values that the measured value can take and is measured in bits.
If its resolution is 1 bit, only two values are possible: 0 and 1.

For each added resolution bit, the number of possible values is multiplied by two:

2 bits = 4 values
3 bits = 8 values
16 bits = 65,536 values
24 bits = 16,777,216 values!
During recording, therefore, we will measure the incoming signal many times per second and complete this measurement according to the number of possible values.

Hypothetical example: Our resolution means that we can only store values equal to 0 or 1. If the analog input signal is measured at 0.8, it will be rounded to 1. If it is measured at 0.2, then it will be rounded to 0.

Very simple, right?

As a result, the higher the resolution, the closer the recorded signal will be to the original signal. This is what you see in the following image:

Effect of different bit resolutions on sampling precision

Also, one might think that 24-bit recording provides better quality than 16-bit. In fact, the resolution seems more accurate and the final signal more realistic.

However, this is not really what it should look like …

A history of noise

Previously, we saw that the values measured from the original signal were rounded off during analog-to-digital conversion.

If we rebuild the signal to listen to it again once the values have been rounded, we will notice that it is slightly different from the initial signal.

Quantization errors when sampling an audio sample

This phenomenon is called quantification error and it is inevitable.

If we isolate this error, we realize that it is actually noise, which is added to the signal.

If you increase the resolution (English bit depth) by adding precision bits, the error will be less, and therefore the noise will be less.

More precisely, for each bit added, the noise level is reduced by approximately -6 decibels (noise level = noise level).

In other words, for every 1 bit of resolution added, the dynamic range over which a signal can be correctly recorded increases by 6 dB.

Therefore, we deduce the following figures:

16 bit = 16 x 6 = 96 dB dynamic range
24 bit = 24 x 6 = 144 dB dynamic range
In the end, the only difference between 16 and 24 bits lies in the noise level. And therefore, in the dynamic range available for recording, “above” the noise level.

Bit depth, an important factor almost unknown

Very often we see people talking about topics that are important, like bitrate for example. Most of the time without understanding exactly what that means. Sometimes they even do trial and error and for various reasons it may be that the result they obtain is misleading, since they are not considering that modifying the bitrate without looking at the sample rate and the bit depth, is to act blindly and therefore the Results will always be misleading and we should not draw definitive conclusions from them.

We have detected that many people instead of giving a reading that allows them to understand what bitrate, sample rate or bit depth are, prefer to manipulate them without understanding them and, based on the result of one or two songs, they often reach conclusions. wrong about what is the right combination.

Bitrate

It is bitrate It is the amount of information that passes per second, that is, the amount of detail that an audio file can contain in a video. The bigger the bitrate means what will be passing more information per second; therefore the file will be bigger but it will contain more details, which will give it a higher quality. We will put an example to understand it very easily. Images that we have a great draftsman or painter and that we ask him to make a portrait of a person but we tell him that I can only use 5 colors and he cannot mix them.

As a result we will obtain practically a caricature and not a portrait itself. In other words, it will have less quality if we understand quality to be a faithful copy of the original.+

On the other hand, if that same painter asks you to make a portrait, but we stop using the entire color palette, you will be able to make a very realistic portrait, of very high quality, very faithful to the original.

Why did this happen? Because it contains much more information. There are many more shades. That explains exactly how bitrate affects the quality of a video or audio file.

Sample rate

When we record a video, for example, it is as if we were taking a series of photographs and then quickly saw them one after the other and that would give us the illusion of movement. In exactly the same way that cartoons worked in ancient times. Obviously if we only use three drawings per second the quality of the cartoon will be very low because you will see a series of jumps and not an action continues. If instead we use 24 drawings per second we will see a very high quality cartoon where we will seem to see an action continue without any Jump.

The sample rate is the number of samples per second that are taken to form a video or an audio file. Audio on a professional CD uses 44100 samples per second. If we lower that quantity we will notice a loss of quality and if we increase it to more than 44100 samples we will be able to obtain a very high quality HD.

Bit depth

The bit depth determines how many “steps” the curve or wave will contain that will contain our audio or video file. Obviously, the more steps the wave pattern has, it will be more faithful and, on the contrary, if it contains few steps, the wave pattern will be very rough.

So here we are understanding the importance of bit depth that for example in music affects even the dynamics of music. That is, how much can the volume of an instrument rise and fall in different passages. At different bit depth rates we will obtain different levels of decibels

Bit depth: definition

In digital audio, the bit depth is the number of bits of information in each sample and is closely linked to the resolution of the audio. Unlike an analog signal, which is periodic and is made up of infinite points, digital audio is a discrete signal since it is made up of a finite number of points. Use binary numbers (bits) to determine the number of states available to represent the strength of each audio sample and thus represent the signal. “The quality of the representation generally increases as this number of states increases. For example, […] recording of high-fidelity music is obtained on a CD with 65,536 levels of amplitude. The number of possible states of an n-digit (n-bit) binary system is E = 2 ^ n. ” 1. In summary, it is the resolution, in terms of amplitude, that a digitized signal will have. Determine the dynamic range that said signal has. In the following image we can see how a signal is represented in 4-bit depth. 4 bits generate 16 possible values on the vertical axis.

Requirements

A very important aspect to keep in mind is that at a greater bit depth we are going to need more resources to process the audio and more memory to save it. This is because we will have more information. The size of our audio file will be given by the following account:

Number of bits * Sample rate * number of seconds in duration [* 2 (if it is a stereo signal)]

So, for example, the size of a second of audio on a CD, which works with a depth of 16 bits and a sampling rate of 44,100Hz / second is going to be given by the following account:

1 second = 16 * 44100 * 2 (since it is stereo)

1 second = 1411200 bits (0.1764 Mb)

Comparing different bit depths

In the following table we can compare the dynamic range (in decibels) and the number of possible amplitude values of a digitized signal with different bit depths.

Obviously, the higher the number of bits, the higher the states are possible. The following example compares two pieces of music, leading them to a 16-bit to 4-bit transition. The first piece works in more depth, and the transition is much more noticeable, the result in 4-bits is perceived as the effect of “aliasing”. In the second piece, less dynamic range is used, so the transition it undergoes is almost imperceptible to the ear.

Bit Depth explanation

Definition

In digital audio, the bit depth is the number of information bits of each sample and is closely linked to the resolution of the audio. Unlike an analog signal, which is periodic and is composed of infinite points, digital audio is a discrete signal since it is composed of a finite number of points. Use binary numbers (bits) to determine the number of available states to represent the strength of each audio sample and thus represent the signal. “The quality of the representation increases, in general, when this number of states is increased. For example, […] high-fidelity music recording is obtained on a CD with 65,536 amplitude levels. The number of possible states of a binary system of n digits (n bits) is E = 2 ^ n. ” 1. In summary, it is the resolution, in terms of amplitude, that will have a digitized signal. Determine the dynamic range of that signal. In the following image we can see how a signal is represented in 4 bits of depth. 4 bits generate 16 possible values on the vertical axis.

Aspects to consider

The accuracy of each sample is determined by its bit depth. Then, the higher the bit depth, the higher the resolution in the digitized signal. In addition, the greater the bit depth, the greater the dynamic range for the signal because it will have more points to represent the amplitude of each audio sample. It follows that low levels of bit depth can affect the shape of the wave and thus not achieve a good representation of the original wave because there are fewer possible points to represent it. For example, in the following graph we can see a sinusoid represented with different bit depths. A depth of 1 bit will generate a wave more similar to the square wave (depending on the quantification) because we only have two possible points on the vertical axis.

Requirements

A very important aspect to keep in mind is that at greater bit depth we will need more resources to process the audio and more memory to save it. This is because we will have more information. The size of our audio file will be given by the following account:

Bit number * Sample rate * number of seconds duration [* 2 (if stereo signal)]

Then, for example, the size of a second of audio on a CD, which works with a depth of 16 bits and a sampling frequency of 44,100Hz / second will be given by the following account:

1 second = 16 * 44100 * 2 (since it is stereo)

1 second = 1411200 bits (0.1764 Mb)

Sample Rate and Bit Depth

In sound and audio software and hardware specifications we are often told about processing capacities of up to 96kHz and 64bit operation, but what do these issues really mean? And how do they affect the quality of our sound?

Sample Rate and Frequency Range

The sampling rate is the frequency with which the A / D converter (analog to digital) measures the levels of a signal, the samples are broadly analogous to a series of snapshots. If the converter takes ten samples of the signal every second, it would have a sampling rate of 10 Hz.
The frequency range that an A / D converter (present on a sound card for example) can capture is determined by the sampling frequency, or sampling rate. However, in this there is a strict law that may seem unintuitive: the maximum frequency that can be captured is only half of the sampling frequency. A sampling rate of 10 Hz can capture a maximum frequency of 5 Hz, not 10 Hz. The reason is that, without double the samples of a sound source, some of the oscillations of the signal are lost.
But what happens if there are frequencies higher than the capacity of our sampling frequency in the captured analog audio signal? Aliasing then occurs, phenomena that occur when the highest sampling frequency that has been sampled is higher than the frequencies that can be accurately captured by the A / D converter. Aliasing adds distortion to the audio signal artificially, adding lower frequencies to higher partials. Aliasing can occur in a digital audio system as a result of a poorly designed A / D converter, but you are much more likely to hear it when you play high notes from a software-based synthesizer. If the synthesizer does not use an antialiasing technology, the high notes have the possibility of becoming random groups of tones that have no relation to the key note you are playing.

The researchers at Bell Laboratory are familiar with this problem since 1920 and conceptualized the principle as the Nyquist-Shannon sampling theorem. The theorem is simple: to sample the frequency value of x correctly, you need a sampling frequency of at least twice x. (The maximum frequency at which it can be sampled without aliasing at a certain sampling rate is thus the so-called Nyquist frequency.) So why do we need the sampling rate to be twice as fast as the most frequency? high to be recorded? Because each ordinary period of a waveform includes an upward and a downward oscillation. If the A / D converter takes less than two samples per period, it cannot capture the entire oscillation. In order to capture each “up” and “down” state, you need to take at least two samples from each period. Thus, the sampling rate has to be twice the highest frequency that must be recorded.

According to the Nyquist-Shannon theorem, to sample frequencies that are in the upper limit of the human ear (around 22000 Hz), you need a sampling frequency of around 44000 Hz, which is, not by chance, the rate Normal sampling for commercial audio CDs, 44100 Hz.

This obviously allows you to sample the frequencies from the top of the range of our ear, but what happens when the frequencies of the signal that reach the A / D converter exceed the maximum frequency limit of 22 kHz? They fold into the audible spectrum as distortion, so the A / D converters incorporate an anti-aliasing filter that eliminates these high partials, before the audio is converted to digital format.

AUDIO WHY SEND MY WAV FILES TO 16 BITS, 44,100HZ?

Many will ask, what do we mean by the technical term of 44,100Hz at 16 bits? That term refers to the coding standard with which the compact disc was marketed in the 80’s.

The quality of a compact disc has a depth (bit depth) of 16 bits and a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz, which means that it is the standard quality with which your music will be played from the physical format. But what is the depth and frequency of sampling? Why not handle a higher quality coding such as 24-bit at 96kHz?

Bit depth:

In digital audio using pulse code modulation (MIC or PCM by Pulse Code Modulation), it is the number of bits of information for each sampling and corresponds directly to the resolution of each sampling. Examples of this: The compact disc which uses 16 bits per sampling, DVD Audio and Blu Ray which support 24 bits per sampling. Bit depth is only applicable to lossless (loseless) files and not to compressed (lossy) files such as mp3, wma, etc. With 16-bit audio, there are 65,536 possible levels. With all the higher resolution bits, the number of levels is doubled. By the time we reach 24 bits, we actually have 16777216 levels. Remember that we are talking about a frozen audio segment in an instant of time.

Sample depth:

Pulse code modulation (MIC or PCM by Pulse Code Modulation) is a modulation procedure used to transform an analog signal into a bit sequence. The unit of measure commonly used is Hertz (Hz).

When it is necessary to capture the entire range of human ear capacity (20-20,000 Hz) such as recording studio music, or various types of acoustic events, audio waves are usually recorded at 44,100 Hz, 48,000 Hz, 88,200 Hz or 96,000 Hz. Sampling frequencies of more than 50,000 Hz or 60,000 Hz do not provide useful information to human ears, although the difference is small, in 96,000 Hz sampling it is effective eliminating distortion.

Why send my WAV files at 16 bits, 44,100Hz?

To hear the difference between your music in 16 bits at 44,100Hz and 24bits 96,000Hz you must have a decent professional audio system or professional headphones, have a well-trained ear and this without counting the noise or noise that exists around you, However, if you want to compare both formats, the difference is imperceptible in low-end headphones, speakers of a stereo coppel or the speakers of your macintosh.

It also greatly influences the mixing and production made during the recordings by the audio engineer when capturing the instruments in their raw state. This greatly influences your WAV files to be heard well in their final mix at 44.1KhZ 16 bits or 96kHz at 24 bits.

The society of audio engineers recommend 48,000 Hz for most applications however they give recognition to 44,1000 Hz for the compact disc and its various applications. In any case, it is recommended for its average consumption in digital media a coding at 44,100 Hz at 16 bits to make up your music in a compact disc format and also for digital distributions … although spotify, itunes, etc … compress your music in mp3 format to 128kbps, a minimum and lousy quality.

WAV is a lossless digital audio format (loseless) and are raw audio files which you can request from your audio engineer at no cost when you finish mixing your tracks.