WAV: The Industry Standard and Pure Quality
WAV (Waveform Audio File Format) is the foundation of digital music. It is the most faithful and pure representation of an audio recording because it uses no compression. A WAV file is an exact copy of the original sound, which is why it’s the industry standard for master files in recording studios.
The industry’s technical standard for CDs is 44.1 kHz and 16-bit, which is considered an ideal representation of sound for the human ear. The term 16-bit refers to bit depth, which determines the amount of data captured for each “sample” of the sound. A 16-bit audio offers 65,536 amplitude levels for each sample, ensuring a detailed and precise representation of the dynamic range.
FLAC and ALAC: The Foundation of High-Quality Streaming
If WAV is the master file for music producers, then FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) and ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) are the high-fidelity files for distribution services. They intelligently compress audio, reducing the file size by up to 50%.
These formats maintain the same technical quality specifications as the original WAV (for example, 44.1 kHz, 16-bit) but in a smaller file. This is why they have become the basis for various high-resolution streaming services. However, their main disadvantage is universality, as they are not compatible with all digital devices, unlike MP3.
MP3: The Undisputed King of Digital Devices
The MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3) format is the most revolutionary format and, even today, the most widely used in the world. It uses compression algorithms to drastically reduce file size by discarding frequencies that the human ear does not perceive.
MP3 compression, when done with a high bitrate (for example, 320 kbps), does not reduce sound quality on listening devices. This efficiency is what made it the perfect format for smartphones, portable players, and mass distribution over the internet. Its universal compatibility with virtually every existing device and software makes it the true king of listening on computers and cell phones.
