Audio File Types – Check the List of Ones Supported by Elmedia Player

Uncompressed Audio Formats

Uncompressed audio formats preserve the original sound quality of an audio file. They may take up more storage space, but the trade-off is worth it for those who prioritize audio quality over storage space.

PCM Audio File Format

PCM is a digital audio file format that stores uncompressed audio samples in raw form. It captures the sound wave as a sequence of amplitude values and records it in binary format, preserving the original sound quality. PCM files can have different bit depths (e.g. 16-bit or 24-bit) and sampling rates (e.g. 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz), which help you store hi-res audio. Due to its large file size, PCM audio is often used in professional recording studios but is not as common for everyday use as compressed audio formats like MP3 or AAC.

WAV Audio File Format

WAV is a digital audio format that stores audio recordings as raw data without compression. It is widely supported by most audio software and provides high-quality audio playback. WAV files are often large, making them unsuitable for portable devices.

• ★ WAV Player for Mac
• ★ How to play WAV Files on Mac
• ★ WAV vs MP3

AIFF and AIF Audio File Formats

AIFF and AIF are digital audio file types that store audio data in an uncompressed format. They are similar to WAV files and are commonly used for professional audio applications like music production and sound editing. AIFF files are more commonly used as Mac audio formats on Apple Mac computers, while AIF files are more common on Windows computers. Both extensions provide high-quality audio playback and are often used for storing master copies of audio recordings.

Lossless Audio Formats

Lossless audio formats preserve the original sound quality of an audio file without any loss of data. Also, they are ideal for audiophiles who prioritize sound quality over file size.

FLAC Audio File Format

FLAC is an audio file format that provides lossless compression, which means that no audio data is lost during the compression process, and it results in high-quality audio files that are much smaller in size compared to uncompressed formats like WAV. FLAC is free for anyone to use and supports metadata tagging while simultaneously being compatible with a wide range of devices and operating systems.

• ★ FLAC Player for Mac
• ★ How to Play FLAC Files on Mac

ALAC Audio File Format

ALAC is one of the audio file types for Mac developed by Apple Inc. for use on its popular products, like the iPhone and iPad. It brings high-quality and lossless compression, and that means the audio quality remains the same after compression, unlike the case with lossy formats like MP3. The file format is supported by iTunes and is also compatible with other Apple products. However, has limited compatibility with non-Apple devices and software.

M4A Audio File Format

M4A is an audio file format commonly used for storing audio on Apple devices and iTunes. It is based on the MPEG-4 Part 14 container format, and it’s most often used to store lossy compressed audio, meaning some of the original audio data will be lost in the compression process. M4A can also store lossless compressed audio using the Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC).

APE Audio File Format

APE is a lossless audio file format that uses highly efficient compression to maintain the original quality of the audio file. The format provides you with fast decoding and high compression ratios, which would explain why it’s so popular among users. APE files have the file extension .ape and are compatible with a limited number of media players and software, with support mostly limited to Windows-based platforms.

Other Audio Formats

MKA (Matroska Audio file) Format

MKA is an open-source audio file format that is based on the Matroska multimedia container format. It is commonly used for storing high-quality audio, like lossless music and high-resolution audio tracks. MKA supports a wide range of audio codecs, including FLAC, Vorbis, and WAV, making it a flexible format for storing and playing back different types of audio. You can also store additional data, like subtitles and album artwork, within the same file, which can be pretty useful sometimes.

RA Audio File Format

RA was one of the first formats to ever allow for real-time streaming of audio and was widely used for online radio stations and other audio content. RA supports a variety of codecs, including RealAudio Lossless, RealAudio Voice, and RealAudio 8. The format is less commonly used today, as newer and more advanced audio formats, like MP3 and AAC, have become more popular for streaming audio online. Basically, you can consider RA as the grandfather of MP3.

OGA Audio File Format

OGA is an open-source audio file format that is based on the Ogg container format. It is commonly used for storing high-quality, compressed audio, like music and sound effects. OGA files are widely supported on most major operating systems and media players and are often used for archiving and sharing audio files online. The format is a popular alternative to other compressed audio formats and is often favored for its open-source nature and support for high-quality audio.

ACM Audio File Format

ACM is a proprietary audio codec format developed by Microsoft for use with the Windows operating system. ACM codecs are used for compressing and decompressing audio data and allow for a wide range of audio compression formats, including MP3, WMA, and WAV. ACM is less commonly used today, as newer and more advanced audio formats, like MP3 and AAC, have become more popular for storing and playing back audio.

DTS Audio File Format

DTS is a proprietary audio coding format for surround sound audio. It is used for storing and transmitting multi-channel audio for a variety of applications, including movie soundtracks and video games. DTS is designed to provide high-quality, lossy compression of audio data and supports a range of surround sound configurations, including 5.1 and 7.1 channels. The format is widely supported by a range of devices, including home theater systems and gaming consoles, and is often used as an alternative to other surround sound formats.

MPA Audio File Format

MPA is a compressed audio file format that is part of the MPEG family of audio and video formats. It is commonly referred to as MP3, which is the most widely used format for compressed audio. The format is commonly used for storing and playing back music, podcasts, and other audio content. MP3 files are also commonly used for streaming audio over the internet, as their small file size allows for fast download times and low bandwidth usage.

DSF Audio File Format

DSF is a high-resolution audio file format that is used for storing and playing back audio at a high sample rate, and bit depth DSF files can store audio data at sample rates up to 11.2896 MHz and bit depths up to 64 bits, which provides a significant increase in audio quality over traditional audio formats. The format is primarily used by audiophiles and professional audio engineers who require high-quality audio playback.

MPGA Audio File Format

MPGA is a file format for storing audio data in a compressed, lossy format. The format uses MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 compression algorithms to reduce the size of the audio file while retaining some of the original sound quality. MPGAs are most commonly used for storing and playing back music and other audio content. However, because MPGAs are audio lossy compression formats, they may not provide the highest audio quality compared to lossless formats like FLAC and ALAC.

AU Audio File Format

AU is a simple audio file format developed by Sun Microsystems and NeXT Inc. in the 1990s. The format is most commonly used on Unix-based systems and is supported by many media players and audio editing software. AU is one of the lossless music formats that provide good sound quality and fast decoding, but it is not widely used compared to other popular audio formats, like MP3 and FLAC.

QCP Audio File Format

QCP is used for storing low-bitrate voice recordings and is optimized for efficient playback and transmission on mobile networks. QCP files have the file extension .qcp and are mainly supported by Qualcomm-based mobile devices and some media players. The format provides a low-quality but compact representation of audio data, making it suitable for use in low-bandwidth environments like mobile networks.

3GA Audio File Format

3GA is an audio file format used for storing audio content on mobile devices. The format is based on the AMR (Adaptive Multi-Rate) codec and provides efficient compression of audio data, making it well-suited for use on mobile networks. 3GA files have the file extension .3ga and are primarily supported by mobile devices like Samsung and LG phones, as well as some media players.