File Formats: Audio
There are two types of audio file formats that you must know at National 5. Each type has five traits, each trait making the audio suitable for different purposes.
- Compression: The type of compression used and as a result the file’s size.
- File Size: The overall file size of the file.
- Use: The typical use of the file, whether it’s for putting on a disc or streaming.
- Sample Rate: The speed at which the sound is sampled, per second.
- Quality: The overall end quality of the file format.
| WAV | MP3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Uncompressed | Lossy |
| File Size | Large | Small (10% of original) |
| Use | Discs | Streaming |
| Sample Rate | 44.1KHz | 44.1KHz |
| Quality | High | Good |