Sound formats - UNITS 14 & 16

Sound formats 

When audio is recorded there are different types of file formats that are being stored in the computer. This is because all the sound formats are used for different purposes. These types of formats can be used for web distribution to a playlist for music and production. The different examples for this are:

• WAV 

WAV stands for Waveform Audio. You can use any audio bitstream can be stored on your computer using this audio format. Using WAV audio files allows the file to be identical to the original audio due to the audio being lossless. This can be changed to create various files, including MP3 and AIFF. However one of the major drawbacks is the large memory capacity. 

• AIFF

AIFF audio was created by apple. AIFF format is also lossless. AIFF is very alike to WAV format. AIFF has very high sound quality. The drawback for this audio is how much storage it takes up in the system. 

• MP3

MP3 allows us to compress the files and the download it with the right format. MP3 is mostly a lossy format. This allows there to be more space and is accessible with a bunch of different devices. One drawback using MP3 is the sound quality that reduces significantly. 

• WMA

Windows Media Audio in short is WMA. WMA is used as a audio file container and can also be used as a audio codec. The advantage of using WMA is having a secure audio file format. This takes up less storage on the device. One of the drawbacks is this format can only be used by Windows. 

Storage

When audio files are stored they can be saved to digital drives and hard drives. You should always make sure to save and back up the file incase it gets lost or deleted. When you are saving the files its crucial to save them all to one folder. The drives that you can save your files are:

• Flash drive/USB 

A flash drive/USB is a small device that is in the device that stores files and data in it. The advantages of using flash drive it can be carried anywhere. One drawback i the storage it does not have enough storage. 

• Hard drive 

Hard drives are not the same as a flash drive/USB. Even though they serve the same purpose of storing files and data these hard drives come built into the computer from the start. This means all your data on one hard drive can only be seen on the same device. However hard drive still have more storage.

• Cloud backup services

A cloud drive is a service which is based online. A advantage of using cloud drive is it can be used and accessed anywhere. This is very coinvent beacuse it can accessed from anywhere. One drawback is it requires internet. 

• Compression 

Compression is when the sound is reduced that is above a certain level. There are different  compressions such as: 

• DRC 

Dynamic Range compression in short is DRC. This is when the volume of loud sounds is lowered down. And the sounds are quitter are increased.  

• Downward compression 

When downward compression occurs when you need to reduce loud sounds from a certain level. 

• Upward compression 

However upward compression helps increase the quitter sounds. 

Size versus quality 

• Lossy - is when the quality of the sound is reduced. 
• Lossless - This is when the file is being compressed and the data still remains there.
• Bit rates - Is how much data is processed in the second.
• File size - This allows you to see hoe big the file is on the device.