AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format) is an audio file format developed by Apple. In music production it is used alongside WAV as a container for uncompressed PCM audio. Sound quality depends not only on AIFF itself but also on the sample rate, bit depth, and channel count.
What kind of format is AIFF?
AIFF is a container that holds audio data together with various pieces of information. In typical production you use AIFF files containing LPCM audio. The extensions .aif and .aiff are both used.
Difference from WAV
AIFF and WAV files containing PCM both carry uncompressed audio, so at the same sample rate, bit depth, and channel count there is no difference in the audio itself. The main differences are the file format and the conventions of the software you use or of the delivery destination.
Using it in production and delivery
When handing over recorded material or bounced tracks from your DAW, follow the format the recipient specifies. If nothing is specified, export while keeping the project’s sample rate and bit depth. Converting to AIFF does not restore information lost by MP3, so do not use it to try to improve the quality of an already lossy file.
File size and metadata
AIFF files holding PCM tend to be large, so check your storage when working with long recordings or many channels. They can store information such as track titles, but how much of it a player or editor reads back varies. When ease of sharing matters more, create a separate MP3 or AAC for that purpose.
Care when changing formats
When converting, keep the original WAV or AIFF and confirm the format, sample rate, and bit depth the recipient wants. Changing the container alone may leave the audio unchanged, but be careful with settings that also resample or requantize at the same time. You can convert AIFF and other formats with the audio format converter.
