sound format

 

Considerations to create the best quality audio:

What is a sound format? A sound format is a way to store audio files on a computer system. The different sound formats are:

Wav: Wav is a lossless, uncompressed format which is high quality. It is suitable for video and music production purposes.

Advantages: 

It's lossless and will not lose any information in the compressed process.

They have the highest quality possible for the sound output. 

Wav files are flexible which means that they’ll be easier to edit.

Disadvantages: 

They are big files which means I will need loads of storage if using this file format. 

Limited compatibility with other devices which means you’ll need a specific device to be able to use Wav files.

AIFF: AIFF is an apple proprietary and lossless. This means that it’ll directly copy the original source. 

Advantages: 

The audio is uncompressed which means you'll be able to compress the audio file to the levels that are desired to you.

Highly compatible with other devices and you don’t need a specific device to use.

Can be embedded with meta data which means that it can be provided with other data.

Disadvantages:

It’ll be difficult to share online due to it being uncompressed with the sound levels being all over the place.

It is a large file which means that storage/space is needed.

FLAC:FLAC is a compressed sound format  which is a lossless format which takes up less storage than AIFF. It’s popular since it's open source.

Advantages:

It can be streamed and decoded easily when extracting information from the file. 

It keeps the quality of the information from the original copy.

Doesn’t have any auditory problems.

Disadvantages:

Larger storage is needed since the files are big. This may be an issue if you have limited storage.

It isn’t supported on loads of devices and you need a specific device to use it.

Mp3: Mp3 is the most popular lossy format. Mp3 is mainly on smartphones and people store audios/music on there. This is because it takes up less space than a lossless file. 

Advantages:

it’s an uncompressed audio file

It can easily be shared onto other devices and to other people

If the bit rate is high enough the sound quality of the audio will be very good.

Disadvantages:

It uses lossy data compression which means that the quality of the sound may be degraded if there isn’t enough bit rate.

The audio may be distorted when audio is very loud and not compressed properly which causes loudness wars.

AAC: AAC is a lossy format. Apple iTunes uses this so that it’s able to keep its format and quailty. 

Advantages:

It can provide better quality of the sound at a lower bit rate.

Can maintain a brighter and clearer sound no matter what the bit rate is.

Disadvantages:

It is not compatible with all devices, or media players 

AAC files have bigger file sizes which means that it’ll take up storage.

Ogg Vorbis: Ogg Vorbis an alternative to Mp3 and AAC. This is a popular sound format since it’s a lossless format with an open source.

Advantages:

They have smaller files which means that lots of storage isn’t needed

They use lossy compression formats to keep the majority of the quality to sound the same whilst having a smaller file.

Disadvantages:

Not a lot of computers have them which means that it may be hard to find a device which supports this file format.

When using the files it has a high battery consumpsion

What is storage?

Flash Drive: A memory stick which transfers memory onto different devices and stores data on there. 

Advantages:

They are lightweight, and portable to travel around with.

You do not need wi-fi to be able to access your data. 

One time payment when buying and can choose what kind of usb stick you want with the amount of storage. 

Disadvantages:

Can have viruses on the flash drive.

Can have a higher cost, with a small/limited amount of storage.

Left inside of the power supply for too long they can turn off by itself which could lead to data loss.

Hard Drive: A hard drive is a device which stores data. It’s an external computer component which you connect to your computer and it stores data.  

Advantages:

They’re cheap per unit of storage.

You can access your files really fast, much better compared to other storage devices. 

Disadvantages:

They consume more power.

Since it’s big and heavy it may be harder to travel with.

May be slow at retrieving bigger files.

Cloud: Cloud storage is a digital form of storing data. Instead of needing something physical you can have your data stored on off-site locations. 

Advantages:

You’re able to access it anywhere since you just have to put your username and password to access it.

Data security which means no one can get what you have stored since it’s secured.

Can back-up your data so that it won’t be lost. 

Disadvantages:

You have limited storage, then you have to start purchasing monthly for cloud storage if all have been used.

You also need wi-fi to access all your data.

You rely on the internet, which could go down anytime and could take hours/days to get back and running.

What is compression?

DRC: DRC also known as dynamic range compression, is an audio signal processing operation which reduces louds sounds and amplifies quiet sounds.

Advantages:

It improves the performance clarity

Makes the specific audios from the audio stand out 

It can reduce some specific sounds

Disadvantages:

It can cause distortion

Create unnecessary noises more noticeable/worse

Downward compression: Downward compression is when bringing down the level of the signal from above the set threshold you set your compressor. This creates louder sounds quieter in the mix.

Advantages:

Can reduce the loud sounds set from a certain threshold

Disadvantages:

Can be too aggressive, badly alter the transients/punch of the sound

Upward compression: Upward compression is the opposite of downward compression which means that it focuses on amplifying quieter sounds that fall below a certain threshold so that louder sound won’t overshadow the details and softer parts. 

Advantages:

Is able to bring out the softer/details of a sound so that it can stand out just like the other sounds in the mix

Disadvantages:

Can create artefacts on each detail since it pulls everything up the threshold