Beginners Guide to Music File Formats
Are you confused by the various types of music file formats out there? Most of you would have heard of the popular MP3 format, but are you aware there are other alternative digital music formats like WAV, WMA, RA and MIDI? Some of these give better sound quality than MP3 (e.g. the WAV format) but also need more disk storage space. Others like WMA give file sizes smaller than the MP3 format and are more suited for portable music players.
Let's run through the various file formats now:
The MP3 File Format
MP3 files have the extension ".mp3" and are available for download from many web sites. MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3) technology compresses a sound sequence into a very small file (usually one twelfth of of the original file size). The designers of MP3 compression algorithm managed to do this by eliminating sounds that the human ear cannot perceive. While MP3 technology is impressive, it has been abused by music pirates. One can very easily create MP3 files from commercial CDs and make them available for download. The RIAA and major music companies have been cracking down on the distribution and sharing of MP3 files in this manner.
The WMA File Format
WMA (Windows Media Audio) is Microsoft's proprietary music file format that it is marketing aggressively. WMA files are smaller in size than MP3 files, but still retain a decent level of sound quality. This format is getting very popular in websites for sampling music and also in portable music players. However, whether WMA will overtake the popularity of MP3 remains to be seen.
The WAV File Format
A wave file is characterized by the file extension ".wav". This music file format provides raw, uncompressed audio data. Originally invented by Microsoft, wave files are still used widely (examples include your start up and shut down sounds in Windows). Audio quality is excellent, but the file size is huge. A full pop song in wave format may take up to 30 MB of disk space or more.
The AIFF File Format
The AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format) is a popular music file formats used in the Apple Macintosh operating system. In a way, they are the Macintosh equivalent of wave files. AIFF files have the file extension ".aif" when accessed via a PC. They contain raw audio data (which result in excellent sound quality) but take up a large amount of disk space.
The MIDI File Format
The MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) file format was originally created for recording and playing music on digital synthesizers. MIDI files are very small in size. The reason for this is that the MIDI file only contains information on how music is produced (e.g. note-ons and note-offs). The sound card which plays back the MIDI file takes this information and plays back music using an in-built soundcard wavetable.
The RA File Format
RA (RealAudio) files support streaming technology. Created by Progressive Networks, an RA file is highly optimized for live, streaming audio from websites. RA files are best played back on RealAudio players which are freely downloadable from Progressive Networks.
Conclusion
Well, that wraps up our coverage of the most popular music file formats out there. You may be interested to know that there are many software applications which can convert music from one format to another (e.g. MP3 to WAV or WAV to AIFF). Do a search for these applications at www.download.com.
About The Author
Gary Hendricks - http://digital-music-guide.com
gary_hendricks@digital-music-guide.com
 Google News Updated : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 02:08:49 GMT Populists Gain Seats in Election in Hong Kong - New York Times
New York Times - By KEITH BRADSHER HONG KONG - Chinese national pride after the Olympics and growing distress over inflation combined to produce a leftward shift in legislative elections here on Sunday. Hong Kong Democrats Retain Veto Bloc in Legislative Elections Key wins for Hong Kong opposition Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:32:36 GMT Prime Minister Chances Early Election in Canada - New York Times New York Times - By IAN AUSTEN OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper, putting aside the date he had set by law, formally propelled Canada into a federal election campaign on Sunday. Canadian PM calls October election With economy slow, Canada to hold early elections Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:06:35 GMT Veteran Financiers to Head Fannie, Freddie - Washington Post
Washington Post - By Thomas Heath and Dina ElBoghdady The new chief executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have long histories in the financial services industry. Video: Feds Take Over Mortgage Giants FDIC to help small banks with Fannie, Freddie exposure Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:46:18 GMT Falcons head coach: ‘Matt did a very good job’ - Atlanta Journal Constitution
Atlanta Journal Constitution - By CARROLL ROGERS Q. How did the third play - the touchdown from Matt Ryan to Michael Jenkins - develop? New Falcons head coach Mike Smith said of Matt Ryan, ‘It was a great way to see our rookie quarterback throw his first NFL pass. In-game analysis of the Lions' loss in Atlanta Lions' poor tackling about talent, not coaching Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:30:18 GMT Cage's 'Bangkok' tops worst movie weekend since 2001 - USA Today
USA Today - By Scott Bowles, USA TODAY After a record $4.2 billion in movie ticket sales this summer, the industry suffered its worst weekend in seven years, with the top movie at the box office doing less than $8 million. Video: 'Bangkok Dangerous' - Not a Safe Bet Fall box office off to slow start Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:23:28 GMT Health Highlights: Sept. 6, 2008 - Washington Post
Washington Post - On the heels of the huge nationwide salmonella outbreak that caused more than 1400 illnesses from Mexican peppers, a regional Oregon alfalfa sprout distributor has recalled its product in Oregon and Washington state after the sprouts were linked to 13 ... Salmonellosis outbreak prompts sprout recall Salmonella outbreak traced to alfalfa sprouts Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:31:13 GMT Patriots overcome injury to Brady, top Chiefs - Sports Network
Sports Network - Foxboro, MA (Sports Network) - Randy Moss had six receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown as New England overcame an early injury to quarterback Tom Brady to escape Kansas City, 17-10, in the season-opener for both clubs at Gillette Stadium. Patriots QB Brady out of opener vs. Chiefs Cassel comes through for Patriots Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:15:11 GMT Increase Web Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Playing in front of a congregation each Sunday is no... Read More New bands looking to book gigs and establish contacts often... Read More I'll never forget the first time I played the piano... Read More In what way do the kinds of music (rock, rap,... Read More Having taught the guitar for many years, I see the... Read More Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel.com and Bookpleasures.com is delighted... Read More Chord symbols (for example, Fm7, Cmaj7 or G6) are a... Read More The Age-old Puzzle of Human ResponseIf you've listened to more... Read More A student wrote me an email about the lesson "Ocean... Read More Music downloads are highly compressed audio files transferred onto a... Read More Admit it... you were expecting a magic answer to this... Read More Bringing Bagpipe Tuition to Everyone, Everywhere.I have been teaching music... Read More Throughout the past few years downloading music on the internet... Read More We all know, if only instinctively, that music has a... Read More Bang! Bam! Bang! Have you always wanted to play the... Read More Music is the art of arranging sounds in periodic time... Read More Well, you love music so much that you have decided... Read More The MP3 movement started out with a huge audience of... Read More When memorizing music there are several things you can do... Read More U2s lead singer Bono isn't content with being part of... Read More I was thinking today about THE most dangerous enemy of... Read More Let's face it. The world will not end if there... Read More Many students want to create music that has a certain... Read More Imagine asking a beginning writer to write a short story... Read More Finding a good teacher is not always easy, at any... Read More
Adsense
websites
Be An Organized Church Pianist
Does Your Band Need a Manager?
Piano Playing and Performance Anxiety
Music to Echo Your Mood
How To Play Guitar Like a Pro!
Interview With An Up And Coming Musician From Toronto
How To Play Piano Using Chord Symbols
Music and Emotion
Just 3 Chords? No Way!
Music Downloads: Free & Low Cost Ways For Musicians To Get Their Music Known All Over The World
How Can You Make A Rock Vocal Sound Better?
Bagpipe Lessons In Your Own Home !
Is it Possible to Download Music Legally Anymore?
Oh My Aching Head! Can Music Really Make You Feel Better?
Bang on Your Drum All Day Long - Without Annoying Your Neighbors!
The Art of Music
So You Wanna Learn How To Start a Record Label?
Downloading MP3s Made Easy
Memorizing Music - How Is It Best Achieved?
Bono: From Music To Fashion To Helping The Poor
Guitarists...Are You A Victim and A Loser?
New Age Music - What Is It Good For?
Everything I Play Sounds the Same
Why Learning How to Improvise is So Important
How To Find The Right Guitar Teacher
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
The First The American Idol Kelly Clarkson
There is a lot more to the story that meets... Read More
The Art of Music
Music is the art of arranging sounds in periodic time... Read More
Thomas Jefferson and the Chinese Gong
While Richard Nixon's diplomatic visit to China may have created... Read More
The Dos and Donts of Getting Your Child to Love Learning an Instrument
We all know that music can be inspiring, entertaining, and... Read More
Home Run Gigs
Are you still playing your heart out to small audiences... Read More
Your PC Is An Awesome Singer... If You Let It!
As an amateur songwriter, who struggles with a computer far... Read More
Origins of the Mathers Family
Eminem's roots can be found in Scandinavia through his mother... Read More
Rabbitt Productions - Up & Coming Atlanta Producer
When you think of music in Atlanta you generally think... Read More
The Death-Defying Warehouse Party Life: An Interview by William of Orange
About an entire local music industry that's rarely heard from,... Read More
How To Write A Song
Did you ever wish that it was your song playing... Read More
RIAA Files Second Wave of Lawsuits
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has launched a... Read More
Making Music As A Lefty
Author Interview with Ryan Thomson, seacoast New Hampshire resident, and... Read More
Turn It Up: Plugging Into The Perfect Guitar And Amp Settings
Yowza! Did you hear that hideous noise? It sounded like... Read More
Musical Improvisation Basics - Four Strategies For Playing Wrong Notes
While it probably doesn't seem like this would help -... Read More
The Flower Garden and New Age Piano Music
If you've ever looked at a flower garden, not only... Read More
So You Want to be President? Learn to Play a Musical Instrument!
President Harry S. Truman, the man in the White House... Read More
Five Secrets to Playing in the New Age Style
1. Learn how to ImproviseLearning how to improvise is the... Read More
Right Hand Guitar Playing Tip
This lesson can open for you a secret of high-speed... Read More
Sheet Music ? Violin and Other String Instruments
The violin is a bowed stringed instrument and is the... Read More
Music, the Spiritual Connection
All through the age's music and spirituality as served hand... Read More
How Piano Lessons Benefit Young Children
Piano lessons provide a wide range of benefits to young... Read More
Alternative Sales Sources for Your Music
Following, is a list of alternative sources that may be... Read More
Would Chopin Have Passed A Music Quiz?
Q. My children are very interested in playing music. Is... Read More
Review: The Bled - Pass the Flask
Released in 2003, Pass the Flask turned this little quintet... Read More
Piano Music - How to Begin and End a Piece
How do you begin a piece of music? That's a... Read More
Music & MP3 |