Do you want to add sound to your blog or make a podcast? Several audio formats are available to you. But which one should you choose? Between MP3, WAV and WMA, difficult to navigate without any technical knowledge.
To help you make the right choice, expand these 3 audio formats that will increase the decibels.
MP3, a versatile but compressed format
Who does not know mp3? It is certainly the most popular and widely used format. However, it is part of the family of so-called “lossy compressed” audio formats.
This means that the original audio data will be lost when compressing an MP3 file. Result, low quality sound but lighter file. This is the main advantage of the MP3 format: content that takes up little space. Another advantage: it is compatible with all devices and platforms.
If you want your sound to load quickly and not saturate the memory of devices after downloading, MP3 is preferred. But keep in mind that this reduction is not without consequences for the quality of your audio.
Avoid if you want to promote your music or get public with a podcast.
WAV, a professional but limited format
Waveform audio file, or just WAV, the audio format is appreciated by music professionals: artists, sound engineers, DJs … Why? Because it does not allow compression, unlike MP3. The playback provides sound as clear and audible as the original model, recorded in the studio.
In terms of popularity, WAV has nothing to be jealous of. It is developed by Microsoft and IBM and is the standard format for audio files on Windows platforms. Result? It is one of the most widely used extensions.
However, this type of files does not only have advantages.
Due to the lack of compression, the WAV format is very large and occupies an important place in your system. Since it was developed for Windows systems, it is also difficult to read on other platforms (e.g. iOS).
To accurately convey high-quality sound to your users, the WAV format remains your best friend. It makes your blog or site look professional. However, the problem with the size is a double-edged sword. If users can store it in the cloud, the download time can be very long to avoid overloading their storage space. As you know, internet users don’t like to wait to get something!
WMA, the perfect one in the middle
Also designed by Microsoft, WMA (Windows Media Audio) fills the gaps in MP3 and WAV formats. This type of file is compressed and lossless. This means that WMA audio is small, but of high quality.
So why isn’t WMA the star format?
Unfortunately, this extension works on few devices. Smartphone users are forced to download a compatible application to read a WMA file. However, there is little chance that you will only do it for your podcast …
How do you choose the best audio format?
MP3, WMA and WAV, your choice depends on your requirements, expectations and needs. For high quality audio files, the WAV format is your best option, but due to lack of space, consider the best known MP3. The WMA format may be the perfect palliative, but not necessarily the ideal to give the users a better experience.
Our advice: offer your users various options! Upload your file in MP3, WAV and WMA, internet users can choose which format they want to download. Under each file clearly state the pros and cons of each file, so that visitors make an informed decision.
