Introduction
In the digital audio landscape, audio formats are the backbone of music production and distribution. They dictate how sound is captured, stored, and transmitted, influencing everything from fidelity to file size. So, this guide to audio file formats delves into the specifics of FLAC, WAV, Opus, OGG Vorbis, and MP3.
Most audio file formats use various algorithms to compress the size of the file. Often, this compression includes removing bits of information that the algorithm deems unimportant for the perceived sound quality. However, such loss of information can become apparent in professional studio use or audiophile playback setups.
FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec)
- Open Source/Free: Yes
- Sample Rate: Up to 640 kHz
- Channels: Up to 8 channels (7.1 surround sound)
- Bit-Depth: Up to 32 bits per sample
- Bit Rate: Typically reduced to 50-70% of the original size without loss
FLAC is the archival gold standard, preserving audio without compromise. Its high sample rate and bit-depth capture the finest details, while multi-channel support enables immersive audio experiences. Ideal for audiophiles and professionals, FLAC files are larger but offer unmatched quality.
You might be wondering how a compressed audio format can be “lossless”. FLAC compresses audio by data prediction and identifying redundant or repeating patterns of information.
In simpler terms, it predicts the upcoming information based on the previous data and notates how this prediction is different from the actual data. So, the format can then reproduce the actual audio using prediction (requiring little storage use) and the noted difference.
Likewise, by identifying repeating patterns, it can write “Apple x 5“ instead of “Apple Apple Apple Apple Apple”. It’s a crude way to look at the process, but it’s simple to understand!
Here at Eternal Scoring Studio, we use the FLAC format to deliver our work to our clients. Likewise, lossless streaming on streaming platforms like Tidal HiFi, Amazon Music, etc., use FLAC.
WAV (Waveform Audio File Format)
- Open Source/Free: No (Microsoft proprietary)
- Sample Rate: Up to 192 kHz
- Channels: Up to 64 channels (with extensions)
- Bit-Depth: Up to 64 bits per sample
- Bitrate: Uncompressed
WAV is the workhorse of audio formats in professional settings. Its uncompressed nature ensures pristine sound, crucial for recording, editing, and mixing. While file sizes are substantial, WAV’s fidelity is paramount for studio work.
Opus
- Open Source/Free: Yes
- Sample Rate: From 8 kHz to 48 kHz
- Channels: Up to 255 audio channels
- Bit-Depth: Dynamic
- Bitrate: From 6 kbit/s to 510 kbit/s
Opus is the agile format for modern internet applications, balancing quality with efficiency. It adapts to various bitrates and supports an extensive range of channels, making it suitable for everything from podcasts to high-fidelity music streaming.
It’s ideal for casual listening since modern media players readily support Opus! And since it offers better audio quality than formats like MP3 at equal bitrate, Opus is our format of choice for general purpose listening at Eternal Scoring Studio. Hence, we deliver each project in the Opus format alongside FLAC!
AAC (Advanced Audio Coding)
- Open Source/Free: No (Apple Proprietary)
- Sample Rate: Up to 96 kHz for 48 channels, and up to 192 kHz for 24 channels.
- Channels: Up to 48 channels
- Bit-Depth: Not explicitly defined, but typically 16 or 24 bits
- Bitrate: Variable
AAC is a step up from MP3, designed as its successor with improved sound quality at similar bit rates. It’s the standard audio format for Apple’s ecosystem and is widely supported across various platforms and devices.
AAC’s ability to handle a higher number of channels and its efficient compression make it suitable for high-quality audio streaming and broadcasting. Hence, many popular platforms like Apple Music, Deezer, YouTube Music, Tidal, etc., employ AAC for streaming music.
OGG Vorbis
- Open Source/Free: Yes
- Sample Rate: Up to 192 kHz
- Channels: Up to 255 channels
- Bit-Depth: 16 bits
- Bitrate: Variable
OGG Vorbis offers a sweet spot for streaming and gaming, where quality matters but space is at a premium. Its open-source status and efficient compression make it a popular choice for content delivery. So, platforms like Spotify use this format to deliver music.
MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer III)
- Open Source/Free: No (patents have expired)
- Sample Rate: Up to 48 kHz
- Channels: Up to 2 channels (stereo)
- Bit-Depth: 16 bits
- Bitrate: From 32 kbit/s to 320 kbit/s
MP3 is the ubiquitous format that revolutionized music sharing. Its compatibility and manageable file sizes make it popular for casual listening, despite some loss in audio quality. However, many people have moved on to formats like Opus or AAC for their superior sound quality at the same bitrate.
Audio Formats For Listening
For the highest quality, FLAC is the format of choice, offering lossless audio that reproduces recordings faithfully. Likewise, I recommend Opus for its balance of quality and file size, providing excellent sound in a more compact form.
If you use Apple products, ALAC and AAC are the equivalent alternatives. Both Opus and AAC surpass MP3 in delivering higher sound quality at the same bitrate.
Audio Formats For Studio Use
WAV files are undoubtedly the best choice for studio use. At our studio, we rely on 32-bit or 64-bit floating point WAV files for music production. So, if you are wondering what file format to send to a studio, consider sending at least 24-bit WAV. It saves some storage space compared to 32-bit and 64-bit WAV while ensuring excellent quality.
If the file size is of concern, 24-bit FLAC files are equally as good. However, FLAC isn’t supported on Mac computers. Instead, you’ll have to use Apple’s version of FLAC called ALAC.
Audio Formats For Streaming
Uploading audio files to personal websites for streaming requires high-quality file compression to ensure a small file size with good sound quality. So, lossless formats like FLAC and WAV are out of the question.
The ideal format for uploading to your website or podcast is Opus. However, by default, popular website builders like WordPress only support OGG Vorbis, making it a more popular choice than Opus. There are ways to make WordPress support Opus, but that’s beyond the scope of this article.
Conclusion
Understanding the nuances of audio file formats is key to making informed decisions in music production and consumption. Whether prioritizing quality, efficiency, or compatibility, there’s a format tailored to every need. Choose wisely, and let the music resonate in its truest form.
Comment below to let us know which format you use to enjoy music!
