Audio File Format: WAV
WAV stands for Waveform Audio File Format (also called Audio for Windows at one point but not anymore). It was developed by Microsoft and IBM in 1991.
Many people assume that all WAV files are uncompressed audio files, but that’s not true. WAV is a Windows container for different music formats. This means a WAV file could potentially contain compressed audio, but it’s rarely used for that.
Most WAV files contain uncompressed audio in PCM format. The WAV file is just a wrapper for the PCM encoding, making it more suitable for Windows systems. However, Mac systems can usually open WAV files without any issues.
The 10 Most Common Audio Formats (Which One Should You Use)
Audio formats are like languages for sound, each with its strengths and weaknesses. With over 10 different common audio formats out there, choosing the right one can be a daunting task. For instance, did you know that MP3, despite being widely used, sacrifices some quality for smaller file sizes? On the other hand, FLAC offers lossless compression but results in larger files. Understanding these formats and their implications is crucial, especially considering that audio content consumption is on the rise, with over 70% of internet users regularly streaming music and podcasts.
In this article, we will talk about the 10 most common audio formats. We’ll explain what they are, what is audio compression, and which audio formats might be the best for you. Whether listening to music, making your own, or just curious, understanding audio formats can help you get the best sound experience.
10 Most Common Audio Formats
- Audio File Format: MP3
- Audio File Format: WAV
- Audio File Format: FLAC
- Audio File Format: AAC
- Audio File Format: OGG (Vorbis)
- Audio File Format: AIFF
- Audio File Format: WMA (Lossy)
- Audio File Format: ALAC
- Audio File Format: WMA (Lossless)
- Audio File Format: PCM
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