Audio File Formats
An audio file format is a specification stating the structure of how audio data should be stored. (Remember that every minute of stereo audio consumes about 10MB of disk space!).
Compression-Some file formats offer compression-You can shrink the size of your audio files for use in low-bandwidth situations.
Compression affects the quality of the audio-mp3s are lower in sound quality than that of a CD.
Download Image For Larger View
| fileformat2.png |
Some Benefits of Using Digital Audio
Digital audio can be altered in many different ways than that
of an analog recording-”Copy” “Cut and Paste”.
Endless editing capabilities.
Can be stored in a number of different formats.
When storing or backing up Digital Audio there is no loss of
of quality.
Digital Audio allows you to study a performance more
easily.
Digital Audio Applications
CD - Most common application (74 Minutes of music or 650MB of memory)
CD-R (CD Recordable)
CD-RW (CD Recordable/Rewriteable)
DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) 4.7 GB Memory (DVD-RW, DVD-R, etc.)
MiniDisc - Introduced by Sony in 1992. Intended to replace the cassette tape and CD platforms. Popularity never took off.
MP3 - Standard distribution for commercial recordings. (iPods, iTunes)
DAT - Digital Audio Tape is a stereo format that was popular for amateur and pro musicians to record their music. Sound is recorded onto magnetic tape and used for direct to stereo recording of a live performance. 16-bit resolution w/ 48 KHz or 44.1 KHz sampling rate. Uses a miniature VCR tape.
Now being discontinued.
Hard Disk Recording Systems/Workstations-Recording medium of choice. Record sound onto a hard disk drive.
Two main types: Computer based multitrack recording or dedicated standalone multitrack recording.
Portable Hard Disk Recorders- Becoming very popular due to small size, features and recording capabilities.
Can be directly interfaced into a computer, has built in mics, records on SD (Secure Digital)media cards. Provides up to 380 minutes of recording (CD quality) or 34 hours in mp3 mode.
Portable Hand-Held Hard Disk Recorder
Complete Lesson 5 Workbook Assignment
Previous Page
Go To Lesson 6
