UniqueTracks now offers the ability to download a complete CD in WAV format. This means you can download CD quality uncompressed audio. This also means the download size is HUGE. You should not attempt to download a complete WAV album unless you have a broadband connection to the internet (cable modem, DSL, T1, etc). The download time for a standard WAV album with a broadband connection will range from 25 to 45 minutes.
The great advantage of the WAV download to international customers is that you can now download CD quality sound and have it available on your desktop within an hour. No more waiting for overseas shipments and no more customs duty payments.
What is the difference between an MP3 file and a WAV file? MP3 files are digital audio files that use a compression format (lossy compression) to greatly reduce the amount of data required to faithfully represent audio. Sound quality is based on bit rate. The higher the bit rate, the better the sound quality. The trade off is that higher bit rates = larger file sizes. MP3’s seek a balance between sound fidelity and file size. UniqueTracks MP3 files are compressed at 192 kbps.
WAV files are uncompressed digital audio files. They are much larger files. Usually more than 100% larger. WAV files have a bit rate of 44.1 kHz. This is identical to CD quality sound. Because they are larger files, they will take much longer to download, even with a broadband connection.
What should you choose?
Because of their small file size, MP3s are easily downloaded and are great for internet projects or Powerpoint presentations.
However, if you are editing video using software like Apple’s Final Cut, then you will want to use WAV files. Using MP3’s in Final Cut will cause all types of stuttering and drop-out problems. This is probably due to the compression format. The uncompressed digital audio of WAV files works best for digital editing.
If you are editing video and have a strong broadband connection to the internet then downloading the uncompressed WAV version is the best choice.
UniqueTracks also recommends the WAV format for Flash designers. This lets you configure your own compression within Flash starting from CD quality uncompressed audio. Also because MP3 files do not loop well, they are not convenient for Flash design.
For other web applications or for Powerpoint presentations or any other applications where file size is an issue, the MP3 version is the best choice.
Note: A common workaround for MP3 files is to convert them using software like Acoustica’s MP3 to WAV file Converter. This program takes the compressed audio of an MP3 file and converts it to WAV format. Is it the same fidelity as a standard WAV file? There is some disagreement about that.
