AIFF Audio Interchange File Format

Definition Meaning

A lossless audio file format developed by Apple for storing high-quality digital audio data using pulse-code modulation (PCM).

Part of Speech

• noun
• acronym

Usage Examples

• The studio recorded the vocals in AIFF format to preserve maximum audio quality.
• When archiving master recordings, many engineers prefer AIFF over compressed formats.
• I prefer the lossless quality of AIFF for studio recordings, but I convert my tracks to MP3 for easier sharing online.

Synonyms

• Audio Interchange File Format
• AIFF-C (compressed variant)

Antonyms

• MP3
• AAC
• lossy audio formats

Related Words

• WAV
• PCM
• IFF
• FLAC
• BWF

Disambiguating Definition

The AIFF format stores uncompressed CD-quality audio and is commonly used in professional audio production environments.

Word History

Developed by Apple Computer in 1988 based on the IFF (Interchange File Format) standard, AIFF became the standard uncompressed audio format for Macintosh systems. The format was designed to meet the needs of professional audio applications while maintaining compatibility with the original IFF structure.

Word Illustration

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