About AIFF Format

What is AIFF?

AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format) is an audio file format developed by Apple in the late 1980s for storing high‑quality, uncompressed audio on Macintosh systems. It is conceptually similar to WAV on Windows and is based on the Electronic Arts IFF format.

Most AIFF files store linear PCM audio and are commonly used in professional audio production, especially in Mac‑centric workflows and older hardware samplers.

Technical Specifications

File Extension

.aiff, .aif

MIME Type

audio/aiff

Compression

Typically uncompressed PCM; AIFF‑C can support compressed codecs

Bit Rates

Determined by sample rate, bit depth, and channels (similar to WAV)

Sample Rates

Commonly 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 kHz and above

Channels

Mono, Stereo, Multichannel (AIFF‑C)

Max Audio Channels

Format allows multiple channels; exact limits depend on implementation

Developed By

Apple

Key Features & Advantages

✅

Uncompressed Audio: Like WAV, AIFF typically stores PCM audio with no lossy compression, preserving full quality.

✅

Mac‑Native Heritage: Historically preferred in Mac‑based studios and older Apple software and hardware.

✅

AIFF‑C Extension: Supports compressed audio formats and additional metadata while keeping AIFF structure.

✅

Broadcast & Sample Libraries: Common in early digital samplers and professional sound libraries.

✅

Metadata Support: Can store various metadata chunks, including markers and loop points useful for sampling.

✅

Interchange with WAV: Straightforward to convert between AIFF and WAV without losing quality.

Understanding AIFF Quality Levels

Format

Quality Level

Use Case

Bit Rate / File Size (3 min)

16‑bit / 44.1 kHz Stereo

CD Quality

Music production, sample libraries

~1,411 kbps (~31 MB)

24‑bit / 48 kHz Stereo

High Resolution

Post‑production, broadcast audio

~2,304 kbps (~50 MB)

24‑bit / 96 kHz Stereo

Studio High‑Res

Mixing, mastering, detailed sound design

~4,608 kbps (~100 MB)

AIFF‑C with Compression

Compressed

Cases where reduced size is needed while staying in AIFF family

Varies by codec and settings

Multichannel Audio

Surround / Multitrack

Film, games, immersive sound in Mac workflows

Scales with channel count and sample rate

Common Use Cases

🎚️

Studio Production

Recording and editing in Mac‑based DAWs and legacy systems.

🎹

Sample Libraries

Instrument and drum libraries for hardware and software samplers.

🎬

Post‑Production

Audio for film and TV in workflows that historically favored AIFF.

📀

Archiving

Archival storage for Mac‑centric projects requiring uncompressed audio.

🔁

Loop‑Based Production

Files with embedded loop points and markers for music creation.

🔊

Sound Design

High‑quality effects and one‑shots in professional environments.

Brief History

1988

Apple introduces AIFF as an audio counterpart to the IFF format for Macintosh computers.

1990s

Adopted widely in Mac‑based audio production and hardware samplers.

1990s–2000s

AIFF‑C adds support for compression and extended metadata.

Present

Still used, though many workflows now treat AIFF and WAV as interchangeable choices for uncompressed audio.

Free AIFF Converter

Convert AIFF to Other Formats

Key Features of our Audio Converter

Lightning Fast Processing

Complete Privacy

No Size Restrictions

Advanced Settings

Multi-File Support

Absolutely Free

Supported Audio Formats

Lossless Quality Formats

Compressed Formats

Specialized Formats

How It Works

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