Audio Files for Audiophiles

Mp3. Aif. OGG. Flac. Mp2. M4a. AAC. Amr. Good Lord! Is your head spinning? There are so many audio files in the music industry to keep track of.

And everybody has heard of mp3’s. Those are like the Coca-Cola of audio files – If you were born with eyes, ears and speak English (or any human language) you have heard of them! And wav files – those are the Pepsi. They are a little less common but supposedly they taste (or “sound”) better. They have a “richer” flavor so-to-speak. And aiff files, well – those are the RC Cola of files. Unless you are in the music industry or are dating someone in the music industry, you haven’t heard of them. Or if you have, you are in a very unique group.

If you read my last article, I presented examples of two files and challenged you to guess which was the wav and which was the mp3. Now I’m really going to put your ears to the test. Think you can hear the difference between wav files and aiff files? Put your ears to the challenge!

wav and aiff audio files

Below you will find a link to two files. One is a wav and the other is an aiff. Think you can tell which is which? Give it a whirl!

File 1:

File 2:

Before I reveal the answer let me take a moment to explain the difference between wav files and aiff files.

Aiff Files Are not PC Compatible

If you found it challenging to tell the difference between the two files, then let me advise you to steer clear of aiff files, especially if you don’t know what computer your client is using. Unless you are a connoisseur with impeccable hearing there really isn’t much of a difference between an aiff and a wav file. Except aiff files are made by Apple, the same company that invented mp3’s. Aiff and Wav files are equivalent in quality and are basically coded the same.

But if you are like I was before my undergraduate composition recital, where I was sending fellow student (musicians) aiff mockups from Finale (because that was the best I had at the time) simply because that was what the program defaulted to, you may run into an issue where half the students can’t open their files (which one student pointed out about a week before she was to perform my piece.) Aiff files cannot play on Androids or PC’s which eliminates about half of your potential audience.

WAV files are compatible with just about any system

Wav files will play on both Macs and PC’s and they are compatible with Apple and Android products. They are universal, and are basically a standard for bouncing out DAW sessions at full quality. Your client may specify what file he or she wants, and if your client insists on delivering aiff files with a bit rate of 16 bits per sample and a sample rate of 48,000 hz always listen to your client. But a general rule of thumb, if they do not say anything, always bounce your files as waves with bit rates of 24 bits per sample and sample rates of 48,000 hz. Those will be the fullest quality and most likely to impress your clients. And you won’t have to waste precious time sending them additional files because no matter what system they have they should be able to open their originals.

AIFF files are more “Pop-Friendly” So-to-Speak

Aiff files have special Apple-encoded processing and may be compressed slightly. They are supposed to sound “fresh.” Supposedly they are crisper, and “cooler.” However, to most normal and even professional ears they are no different than wav files. And they are much more limited in what they can play on.

Wav files bounced with bit rates of 16 bits per sample and sample rates of about 44,000 hz are generally standard for music production, but not necessarily ideal

This may be true, but there is no harm in bouncing files with a bit rate of 24 bits per sample and a sample rate of 48,000 hz. They will sound better, work better and make your clients happier (even if they don’t realize it). Tracks on CD’s will only play with bit rates of 16 bits per sample and sample rates of 44,000 hertz. But you can still bounce a session as a wav file with a sample rate of 48,000 hertz and 24 bits per sample because most CD burners will convert the file to 16 bit/44Khz automatically.

Any sounds used in media are bounced with bit rates of 24 bits per sample and sample rates of 48,000 hz. This includes music. So, knowing that it is already done for film music, even if it is not a standard, why not bounce stand-alone music projects at full quality (24 bit/48Khz)? They will sound richer and provide for better presentations.

Neither aiff nor wav files can be opened directly “in-the-mail”

If you are testing ideas with a client and your client wants to be able to access files “out of the box” in an email, they will not be able to do so quickly without cumbersome downloads, because both are massive. They are equivalent in size and are both substantially denser than mp3 files. Mp3’s are wonderful for showcasing quick ideas that can be opened in an email without having to be downloaded. But they are limited in quality and rarely strong enough for final production or release.

The bottom line on wav and aiff audio files

Wav files and aiff files are about the same in size and quality but they are coded differently. Wav files can be opened from Androids, iPhones, Macs, PCs and just about any operating system. They are the truest-to-quality when compared to DAW sessions. Aiff files are only compatible with Apple products with some exception. They cannot be opened on PCs or Androids. They may have some compression and “cool” processing to be “hip” and “pop-friendly” but most people can’t tell the difference. It is usually best to bounce all sessions in fullest quality (24bit/48Khz) as wav files unless your client tells you otherwise (they always trump the “rule of thumb.”) Neither aiffs nor wavs are good for testing ideas quickly through email as they need to be downloaded in order to be opened and take a long time to send. Mp3’s can be opened in the mail without being downloaded.

Okay…so now for the answer you’ve been dying to know – Which file is the wav, and which was the aiff? File 1 is the wav and file 2 is the aiff.

Audio files – Bonus Round

As a bonus for sticking to the end, I will keep to my promise that I would show you more examples of unusual files that musicians do not usually encounter in their day-to-day lives but nonetheless exist.

Here is a FLAC file:

Now for a CAF file:

And an OGG:

And now for a file that is very very very very very rarely used in the music industry (this may be a first). Drumroll please…………..

Mystery File….

This sounds a little lesser in quality. Hmmm…. What could it be? Keep checking into Composer’s Toolbox and I just might reveal the answer in a future post! Plus, I will explain the differences between all these weird files you just listened to. Thanks for reading and be sure to check out the many fine articles and music examples by other wonderful contributors! Good luck and happy musicking!

David Pennise

Composer, French Hornist
B.S. Music Theory and Composition;
MFA Candidate
Senior Composition Instructor, Composition Online
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