Explore various audio file types, their uses, and compatible software.
MP3 is a commonly used compressed audio format that reduces file size while maintaining sound quality, popular in music and media.
WAV is an uncompressed audio format with high quality, widely used in professional audio and Windows applications.
AIFF is an uncompressed audio format commonly used on Mac OS and for professional audio editing.
AAC is a compressed audio format that offers better sound quality than MP3 at similar bit rates, commonly used in Apple products.
FLAC is a lossless audio format that compresses files without losing quality, popular among audiophiles.
ALAC (Apple Lossless) is a lossless audio format developed by Apple, used for high-quality audio storage.
WMA is a Windows Media Audio format that provides options for both lossy and lossless compression, often used on Windows.
OGG is an open-source compressed format known for high-quality audio at lower file sizes, frequently used in streaming.
Opus is an open-source format optimized for low-latency audio, popular in VoIP and streaming applications.
M4A is an audio-only version of MPEG-4 commonly used by iTunes and Apple devices for music files.
M4B is a format designed for audiobooks with chapter markers and other features, commonly used on Apple devices.
M4P is a protected version of the MPEG-4 format, often used for DRM-protected files purchased from iTunes.
M4R is a format for ringtones, used primarily by Apple devices for custom ringtones.
AMR is a compressed audio format used in mobile phones for voice recording, especially in messaging.
AWB (AMR-WB) is a wideband extension of AMR, used in mobile communication for higher voice quality.
DSS is a format used in professional dictation devices for compressed voice recordings.
GSM is a low-quality audio format used for mobile phone recordings and in telephony systems.
VOX is a low-bitrate format used in telecommunication and voice applications.
PCM (Pulse-Code Modulation) is a raw audio format used in digital audio for uncompressed, high-quality sound.
DSD is a high-resolution audio format used in Super Audio CDs (SACD) for audiophile-grade sound.
DSF is a high-resolution audio format compatible with DSD players, often used in professional music production.
WavPack is a hybrid format that supports both lossy and lossless compression for high-quality audio.
MPC (Musepack) is an efficient format for high-quality audio compression, popular among enthusiasts.
APE (Monkey's Audio) is a lossless format that compresses audio without sacrificing quality, used in archiving music.
RA (RealAudio) is a format used for streaming audio over the internet, originally developed by RealNetworks.
RAM (RealAudio Metafile) is a format for streaming RealAudio files on the web.
RM (RealMedia) is a format by RealNetworks used for streaming audio and video.
TTA (True Audio) is a lossless format providing high-quality compression for audiophiles.
CD audio format is the standard format for audio on Compact Discs, providing high-quality sound.
CDA files are shortcuts that reference audio tracks on CDs for playback.
SWA (Shockwave Audio) was used in Adobe Shockwave applications for web-based audio.
SMP (SampleVision) is a format for sampling audio, commonly used in early digital sampling software.
SND is a generic sound file format, often used on Unix-based systems.
SoundFont (SF2) is a format that stores sampled musical instrument sounds, popular in MIDI composition.
SFARK is a compressed SoundFont format used to reduce the size of SoundFont files.
NWC (Noteworthy Composer) is a file format for music notation created in Noteworthy Composer software.
MIDI is a format that encodes musical performance data, used to control digital instruments.
MIDI is a variation of the MIDI format, commonly used in music production.
KAR is a Karaoke MIDI format that combines MIDI music with synchronized lyrics.
RMI (RIFF MIDI) is a type of MIDI file stored in RIFF format, used for cross-compatibility.
PSF (PlayStation Sound Format) is used to store audio from PlayStation games.
SSF (Sega Saturn Sound Format) stores audio for Sega Saturn games.
SPC (Super Nintendo Sound Format) is used for SNES game music.
GYM (Genesis YM2612 Sound Format) stores audio from Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games.
VGM (Video Game Music) is a format for video game soundtracks, used in emulation.
VGZ is a compressed version of the VGM format, used in gaming emulation.
SAP (Atari Sound Format) is used for audio on Atari 8-bit computers.
SID is a format for music created on the Commodore 64's SID chip.
MOD is a format used in early game music and music tracking software.
S3M (Scream Tracker 3 Module) is a tracker music format used in Scream Tracker.
IT (Impulse Tracker) is a module format for digital music used in Impulse Tracker.
XM (FastTracker 2 Extended Module) is a format for tracker music, used in FastTracker.
MO3 is a compressed module format with support for MP3 and OGG samples.
MT2 (MadTracker 2) is a module format used in the MadTracker software.
PTM (Poly Tracker Module) is a tracker music format.
STM (Scream Tracker Module) was used in early Scream Tracker software.
ULT (UltraTracker) is a format for module music in UltraTracker.
M15 is a tracker module format used in early music software.
MED (OctaMED) is a format for tracker music on the Amiga platform.
669 is a tracker format used in early DOS-based music tracking software.
FAR (Farandole Composer Module) is a format used for composing tracker music.
PLJ is an alternate tracker format used for digital audio.
DSM (Digital Sound Module) is a format for tracker music.
OKT (Oktalyzer) is a format for music on the Amiga platform.
UMX (Unreal Music Package) stores audio for the Unreal game series.
AMF (Advanced Module Format) is a tracker module format.
MTM (MultiTracker Module) is used in early digital music trackers.
AHX is an Amiga format designed for chiptune music.