CAF VS AIFF

Indeed CAF does look like a good format. But, remember, practically nothing else will play the file type besides QT, Logic and the latest version of Amadeus Pro. Nothing on the Windows platform is going to be able to play it yet either. does the iPod play it? Im not so sure.

Best to stick with Broadcast Wave for now.

CAF is not a compressed format think of it as a modern AIFF for higher resolution, more meta data support for surround.

I'm sticking with Broadcast Waves for now, they contain Timecode too which is a massive advantage when moving between platforms, you can just spot the files in a song back to their original record positions and get on with working.

CAF is not a compressed format think of it as a modern AIFF for higher
resolution, more meta data support for surround.

CAF can be compressed, it is a "container" for various file types including
mp4, AAC, Apple Lossless....etc.

Personally, I'm staying away from it for a while as it's handling
of 24-bit files is suspect at the moment. A 24-bit file saved in CAF Apple Lossless decompresses into a 16-bit file.

Besides, a CAF file using an uncompressed file format is the same size or slightly larger than the same file in 16 or 24-bit AIF or Broadcast Wave,
so you're not really saving any space, yet reducing compatibility.

pancenter-

Pancenter is correct... CAF is a container for the other file formats. It's main advantage is larger file sizes, meaning longer recording times. But if that's not a huge need, then it wouldn't be advantageous to use it at the moment.

jord

Hmmmm... so, what is the "best" format to be using? I've always used AIFF, but I'm probably a dinosaur at this point.

e

I've heard that soundforge can open CAF files. If the format gains popularity, it will likely get supported by most apps with decent file format support eventually.

For now I don't think there's much reason to use it, especially if you're just doing stereo or mono.

Just keep using what you're using... it's not being deprecated by any means.

jord

So, how is it that the new Jam Packs that come with Studio are significantly less size, in CAF format, then their AIF counterparts... and supposedly exactly the same sound quality???

Tom

Wave Editor (Audiofile Engineering) was able to import CAFs from the Jam Packs and reports them as 32 bit / 44.1 kHz.

It's just lossless compression. It is possible to store audio in a smaller file with no loss of quality at all.

Is there a way to export CAF files from Logic? or Quicktime?

CAF is supported by L8 and iTunes as well as some third party apps, I don't see it in QT.