wav to aiff?

[TheElement]

I've been asked to provide aiff but only have a wav master.

Can wav be converted to aiff? why would someone prefer aiff?

Thanks.

[vibestack]

They are essentially the same - .aiff is Apple's proprietary format name for the file type.

Not sure why your end user would be so choosy, however, I have seen the reverse where certain audio programs are .wav only

Maybe they have a audio program that is .aiff only

In most programs they are interchangeable.

[Len911]

yes. Probably because of the metadata capabilties?? I believe the broadcast waves allow a limited amount of metadata, but not as extensive or as convenient? I don't know, I'm guessing,

[Cruciform]

Yep, metadata.

Wav and aiff are sonically identical. It is the same audio file. But the container for the file is formatted differently. If you convert with the same settings, eg. 16bit/44.1k to 16bit/44.1k the files should sound exactly the same.

[joyfrost]

Unless someone is looking specifically for more metadata capabilities, the only reason one would prefer one over the other would probably just be arbitrary since the audio quality of both file types is equal In my mind (which just can't understand the hype about sports) it seems a lot like how someone prefers one sports team over the other

[TheElement]

Thanks guys. ok cool so its meta data.

If you have a wav file can you just convert that? How would you do that and would you lose any sound quality?

Thanks!

[Len911]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audacity_(audio_editor)

Any program you might have that allows you to open a file (wav) and save file as (aiff).

It's fairly simple and standard conversion process. Open>Save As

The above program is free and open source, the default save even has the metadata page you may fill out or change entries if you so desire before saving.

[TheElement]

Thanks Rob. I actually have Audacity. Will try that.

[Casey H]

In film/TV, 48K .aiff (or .aif, same thing) is pretty much the standard, usually 16 bits/48K. That is why MANY libraries ask for your files in that format. Just make sure you give the party the format/bits/sample rate they are asking for.

When a library asks you for that format, they are not being picky, they are asking you to give them the format their clients prefer so they don't have to spend their time converting files. Obviously, we'd much rather they be out there pitching our tracks than doing file conversions!

You can convert with many programs including iTunes, Audacity, Switch, etc.

HTH!
Casey

[TheElement]

Thanks Casey. Makes sense. I see I can just pull the wav into cubase and export as aiff.

I can then also dither the same time.