Best Audio Format

There are two groups of audio codec types – lossless and lossy. Lossy compression is exactly what it is called – it compresses audio to a smaller size, but does not decompress it to its original size. This means that audio file that was compressed using lossy methods might lose some sound waves which results in a lower quality than that of the original file.

Lossless compression method is better, because it actually decompresses audio files back to their original values. It is best for professional audio settings due to its high quality and zero chances of data loss.

There is also a RAW audio format that represents absolutely uncompressed audio that stays the way it was recorded. It is not the best format for storing audio, since its files are very large, but is good for further editing because it holds all the recorded sound waves between which you may choose to make a better track out of.

Best audio format for YouTube and Instagram

Blogging is now available for everyone. Phone cameras are no worse than a real one, so to start a gaming channel on YouTube or a beauty blog on Instagram is as easy as pie. But there is no video that could exist without a sound. So, what is the best audio format for YouTube?

The most recommended audio codec to use for YouTube and Instagram video is ACC. It is a lossy audio codec that was designed as a successor to MP3. Its compressing algorithms are superior to MP3’s and while ACC gets the best of its predecessor, it also generates a better sound quality. And, for instance, this audio codec is used by YouTube as standard, so there would be no trouble while uploading it to the site.

MP3 format is also supported by YouTube and it is convenient for most users as it is the most popular audio format of all.

Out of lossless audio codecs it’s best to use FLAC – it is beneficial for music videos where sound quality is vital. The only disadvantage here is a size of a file, which is not as large as a RAW file, but still rather large and so it would take longer to download to the website.

Best audio recording format

To have pristine quality, you should record in uncompressed formats. RAW is good for this matter as is keeps editable data, but WAV is the best option.

WAV is a lossless audio format that stores an uncompressed audio retaining your recording intact and with one hundred percent of original sound quality. Those files might be large, but that could be changed later when you will edit your file. Till then, let the recording be safely held be WAV.

AIFF is great if you’re recording on Apple software. It is almost as good as WAV, but is only commonly used by Apple devices. MP3 can be up to the task, but only if you’re struggling with WAV format, because MP3 is lossy and its quality rate for recordings is questionable.

Best audio format for music

To take your tracks on the go, it’s best to use lossy codecs like MP3 or ACC. MP3 is probably the best choice here because of its convinience: the tracks would not consume a lot of space on the device so there would be space for every song you might need to store and those song would not lose much in terms of quality, as MP3 standards try to keep it as close to original as possible.

Another reason to choose MP3 for music is because this format is the most popular ones and every device there is would recognize and play it, leaving no place for errors.

Best audio format for mobile devices (IPhone, Android)

To store and listen music on your mobile devices there are a huge variety of codecs. Android supports a lot of popular format: you are free to choose between FLAC, WAV, MP3, ACC, OGG formats and there would be only a question of how many bytes of storage you agree to take for music.

IOS is usually quite tricky, but nor this time: it recognizes AIFF, WAV, MP3, ALAC and more, so there isn’t really any need to pick one – just use the one that you like the most!

Best audiobook format

Audiobooks are recorded readings of books. They might not seem so different from usual audio tracks, but they are not the same. While songs hold both sound and voice, audiobooks typically hold voice only. This detail is what makes people want to choose something better than just good old MP3 (which is also up to the task if needed).

The best audiobook formats are AAX and AA, both developed by Audible, the best audiobook service on the Internet. It takes requires its native software to work with, but it’s convenient and doesn’t take a lot of space on your device.

The second best options are FLAC and AAC-based codecs. FLAC is good for audiophiles who want to experience their books with a full-depth voice tells them the story. AAC-based formats are readable by both IPhone and Android, so those could be chosen to avoid compatibility errors.

Learn also about other best formats:

• Best Video Formats
• Best Image Formats
• Best Text Formats