Ever caught yourself scrolling through the audio files on your computer and thinking about just how many audio file formats are out there? It’s honestly a little wild once you realize the sheer number of them.

You’ve probably heard of a few like MP3 and WAV, but you may have not have known about FLAC, ALAC, and even OPUS until you stumbled upon them? Yeah, it’s a bit of a jungle when you start to look.

You’re probably asking yourself, “Why in the world are there so many? And more importantly, which ones should I actually care about?” Fair questions, my friend. The options can feel endless, and not all of them are worth your time, especially if you’re just a musician or producer looking to get the best sound possible. That’s where it gets a little tricky.

One of the best places to start is by looking at the difference between lossy and lossless audio formats . Stick with me throughout what might not be the most exciting article in the world, and you'll have all the information you'll ever need to get a grip on audio formats like a pro.

What is an Audio Format?

Alright, let’s hit the reset button and get back to basics for a second.

Before we start throwing around terms like "FLAC" and "bitrate," let’s remember what an audio file format actually is.

In its simplest form, it’s just a way to store and compress audio data so that we can listen to music on our computers, phones, and other devices. Think of it as the digital version of a vinyl or cassette.

When CDs first came onto the scene, they basically set the baseline for what most people considered "good" audio quality. A standard CD holds audio at 44.1 kHz and 16 bits, which was a pretty big deal at the time. So, if you’ve ever wondered why some formats sound better than others, it’s because they either stick to that "CD standard" or go beyond it or fall short.

Let's take a look at some of the smaller components that make up the overarching "quality" of digital audio.

Audio Coding Format 

Audio coding formats are a fancy way of saying, “How the heck a file is put together.”

When it comes to the question of lossy vs. lossless, the real thing you want to focus on is whether the format is compressed or uncompressed.

When you create an audio file, it’s encoded - basically, this means the raw audio is turned into a digital file using a specific coding method. That method can either shrink the file down (compressed) or keep it as it is (uncompressed), depending on what kind of file you’re working with.

With lossy formats like MP3 or AAC, the audio is compressed by tossing out some of the less noticeable details in the sound. This makes the file smaller and easier to store, but, as a result, you lose some of that hi-fi quality.

On the flip side, lossless formats like FLAC and WAV don’t lose any of the original audio data. These formats are uncompressed or just lightly compressed, preserving every little detail. So when you play them back, you're getting exactly what was recorded without any of the subtle nuances being shaved off.

Bit-Depth

This is where things start to get a little more technical.

First off, bit depth refers to the amount of data stored in each individual sample of an audio file. In simple terms, it’s the resolution of your audio. Think of it like the pixel count on a photo. The higher the bit depth, the more detail you get in your sound.

A bit is the smallest unit of digital information, sort of like a "1" or "0" in binary code. It’s like the tiniest building block of your audio file. Bit depth is usually expressed as a number, so when you hear something like 16-bit or 24-bit, that refers to how many bits are used to represent each sample of sound.

For example, a 16-bit file, which is the standard for CDs, gives you about 65,000 different possible values for each sample. It’s great for regular listening, but if you’re doing more detailed work, say, mastering a track for a professional release, you’ll want something with more depth, such as 24-bit , which offers over 16 million possible values and a wider dynamic range.

Sample Rate

In simple terms, sample rate refers to how many times per second your audio is "sampled" or measured.

I like to imagine taking snapshots of a sound wave at regular intervals, and the more snapshots I take, the more accurate the representation of my audio will be. For a more lifelike and detailed sound, you need to capture enough of those snapshots to preserve all the nuances.

Sample rate is usually measured in Hertz (Hz), which just means the number of samples per second. For example, a 44.1 kHz sample rate (which is what you get with a standard CD) means the audio is sampled 44,100 times per second.

That’s a pretty good standard for general music, but if you're getting into higher-end production work or professional recording, you’ll want to consider going higher.

In pro audio, we typically like to look for 48 kHz or 96 kHz as a minimum for more clarity and flexibility during mixing and mastering.

Most Common Lossless Audio Formats

Alright, now that we’ve covered the basics of audio file formats, let’s get into the good stuff - the lossless formats.

Lossless audio file formats will provide you with better sound quality compared to lossy audio formats. Let’s break down a few of the most common ones.

FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec)

FLAC, which stands for "Free Lossless Audio Codec," is one of the most popular lossless formats. The beauty of FLAC is that it compresses audio without losing any quality, giving you the best of both worlds: high fidelity and smaller file sizes.

The FLAC audio file format is widely supported by many music players and software, making it an easy choice for most people who need lossless audio in a format that's efficient and easy to handle.

Plus, it’s open-source, which makes it even more lovable!

ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec)

ALAC was Apple’s answer to the FLAC audio file format.

At baseline, ALAC does the same thing by delivering lossless audio compression, which makes it a solid choice if you’re living in the Apple ecosystem.

If you're storing tracks in your iTunes library or working with GarageBand, ALAC gives you pristine quality without the storage nightmares of uncompressed formats.

APE (Monkey’s Audio)

APE is a bit of an underdog in the wide world of lossless audio format options, though it’s still widely used for music storage and has some hardcore fans. APE files can compress audio files into smaller sizes without losing quality, just like FLAC and ALAC, but the catch is that it’s not as universally supported as those two. So, while APE might give you the same high-quality audio, you may run into a little more trouble with compatibility on some devices or software.

Most Common Uncompressed Lossless Audio Formats

WAV (Waveform Audio File Format)

Pretty much anyone who has spent any time dealing with audio file formats knows about WAV files. These are uncompressed files, meaning the audio is stored exactly as it is without compression or quality loss. The big upside is that you get 100% of the original sound.

The downside, however, is that file sizes can get really big. So, while WAV is great for mastering or when you need the purest form of audio, it’s not the best lossless audio format if you want to store hundreds or thousands of files for casual listening.

AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format)

If you’re an Apple user, you’ve probably run into AIFF files.

They're very similar to the WAV file format but designed specifically for the Apple ecosystem. AIFF files are also uncompressed and deliver the same quality as WAV, and the main difference between AIFF and WAV is really just the format’s history and its close ties to Apple.

It’s the preferred uncompressed format if you’re working with Macs or professional audio software like Logic Pro.

DSD (Direct Stream Digital)

Finally, let’s wrap up with DSD , which is a bit more niche but still worth mentioning.

DSD is an uncompressed audio format that’s often used in high-resolution audio and super-high-end audio gear. It’s actually a bit different from the traditional PCM (pulse-code modulation) used in WAV and AIFF, and it’s known for its ability to reproduce ultra-high frequencies and deliver a very “smooth” listening experience.

While DSD can sound amazing if you’ve got the right setup, it’s not as widely supported as the others, and file sizes can be enormous compared to other audio formats.

Most Common Lossy Audio Formats

Lossy audio file formats are those you'll probably run into most often, especially if you're streaming music or trying to save space on your phone.

MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer III)

Ah, the classic MP3. This audio format pretty much changed the game when it comes to how we listen to music.

Back in the late '90s, MP3s made it possible to fit way more songs on your computer or portable player than ever before. It does this by using clever compression that removes parts of the audio that most people can't really hear anyway. While audiophiles might cringe at that last statement, for most everyday listening, MP3s sound pretty good, especially at higher bitrates like 320 kbps.

The beauty of MP3s is that they're supported by literally everything. Your phone, car stereo, and your smart speaker will all play nice with MP3s.

AAC (Advanced Audio Coding)

The AAC audio format was originally designed to be better than MP3 while keeping files small, and honestly, it does a pretty good job at both.

Apple made AAC famous by using it as the default format for iTunes and Apple Music, but it's actually an open standard that lots of devices and platforms support. At the same quality level, AAC usually sounds a bit better than MP3 and creates smaller files. That's why you'll often find it used in streaming services and video platforms like YouTube.

WMA (Windows Media Audio)

WMA is Microsoft's horse in this race, and while it's not as popular as it used to be, it's still hanging around.

Microsoft created WMA to compete with MP3, and for a while, it was pretty big in the Windows world. The format can actually sound decent, sometimes even better than MP3 at the same bitrate. However, it's not as widely supported outside of Windows devices.

OGG (Ogg Vorbis)

Last but definitely not least, in the lossy audio formats, we've got OGG, or more technically, Ogg Vorbis. It's totally free, open-source, and actually really good at what it does.

Sound quality-wise, OGG can hold its own against AAC and often beats MP3 at similar file sizes. It's become pretty popular in the gaming world and with music streaming services like Spotify. The main reason it hasn't taken over the world is probably just that it showed up later than MP3 and AAC.

One cool thing about OGG is that it's not bogged down by patent issues or licensing fees, which makes it a favorite among developers and open-source enthusiasts. Plus, it's really flexible when it comes to streaming, which is why services like Spotify use it as their go-to format.

Which Audio Format Should I Use?

If sound quality is your top priority, I recommend using an audio file format like WAV or AIFF, as these uncompressed audio formats will give you the best representation of the original recording or mix.

However, if you're trying to save space and sound quality isn't a huge priority, you can go with MP3 or AAC files.

Other than that, there's really not much else to think about! Hope this little tid-bit on the underworld of audio was helpful.