Audio File Types:
Lossy Compression
And
Lossless Compression

If you are interested in digital audio, you've most likely come across many different audio file types. Maybe you've even heard of lossy and lossless compression. But what's the difference and how do they relate to mp3 players? Well, logically, mp3 players are capable of playing mp3 files. But there are many other audio file types that are being used and that can be read by certain mp3 or portable media players. Digital audio formats that have been reduced in size can be divided into two categories: lossy and lossless compression audio.

Lossy Compression

In a nutshell, it is a method of making digital files smaller, by leaving out certain aspects of the file that aren't perceptible to the human ear. By doing this, you can reduce digital audio files to about one tenth of the original size, without a noticeable difference in sound quality. Lossy codecs are also called encoders.

The most commonly used lossy formats are:
• AAC,
• WMA,
• OGG VORBIS,
• MP4,
and of course the most popular,
• MP3.

Click on each of the them to find out more about that specific audio format.

Or click here to find out how you can convert them to other audio formats.

Lossless Compression

This is a method of compressing (making smaller) and / or reconstructing compressed data without any information being lost. These lossless codecs, also known as compressors, are an exact clone of the original (for example WAV or AIFF) audio file but about 50% smaller in size. Lossless compression should be used for complex audio files, when quality is paramount.

The most commonly used lossless codecs are:
• FLAC,
• WavPack (not to be confused with WAV),
• WMA Lossless,
• ALAC.

Click on each of the them to find out more about that specific audio format.

Or click here to find out how you can convert them to other audio formats.

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Audio File Types