An Overview of Audio Files

Like many things on the web there are no universal sound types but here is a guide to the more important ones

.wav

Probably one of the most commonest sound file used now. Its designed initially for the windows platform but is now usable via plugin and helper applications on other computers. Probably best to start saving sound bites in this form unless you producing your own music in the form of .midi files. You can't compress .wav files in the same way you can formats like .mp3 or .wma, but you can convert .wav files into these using a range of software packages. Best suited to short (i.e. seconds) of audio

 

.midi

this stands for Musical Instrument digital interface format. Essentially this means it represents the form music is stored in when created by an digital electronic instrument like a synthesiser. Most serious music creating editing software will do a .midi output. Commonly seen for web based music

 

.mp3

MP3 files are a superb example of audio file compression. One high quality .mp3 file occupies about a tenth to a twentieth of the space an equivalent CD track does, with little noticable sound deterioration. They are commonly used in downloading music files from the web.

You can't stream .mp3 files. Nor do they have inbuilt copy right protection like .wma files. Although much press has been made of people illegally downloading music files, hundred of sites offer legitimate .mp3 downloads, ranging from new bands promoting themselves to pay for schemes run by record companies. There are tons of .mp3 "ripping" (coversion) software packages available on the net which will convert your own sound files into .mp3such as musicmatch player

 

.wma

Short for Windows Media Audio. A comparatively new all singing and dancing media format but as you can guess has Microsoft's resources behind it. Like it's sibling .wmv (windows media video), it benefits from jumps in compression technology and has the weight of Microsoft behind it. Unlike .mp3 files it has copy right protection built in. This allows people to save their own CDs into .wma format via windows media player, so the can download 'em on to personal plyers or play them back from their PC. The copyright protection will block you playing the files on another PC. You can create .wma files to be streamed as well as downloads or or embedded.

Microsoft have tons of resources, many of which are free to download, at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/default.asp
which can allow you to make downloadable versions of own files with either no or limited (e.g. time limited) copyright protection enabled.

 

.ra

Real Audio® files. Very common streaming format and a sibling of Real Video®. Real media streaming is one of the most established on the net and we have a section devoted to it. Often need a .rm (real media) file with it to work

 

.au

Its popularity is now waning but still seen commonly around the web. Originally developed for UNIX machines but will be playable on most via helpers and plug ins.

 

.aiff

Not that commonly seen around the web. Originally developed for Apple Macs machines but will be playable on most via helpers and plug ins.

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