Lossless translated from English means "lossless." If the audio signal is compressed using special lossless audio codecs, it can be restored with absolute accuracy if desired.
If you take an ordinary Audio CD with analog sound, write it in WAV format for sound without compression, then perform WAV compression using the lossless codec, then decompress the resulting sound file into WAV and write the result to a blank CD, you can get two completely identical Audio CD
The advantage of lossless for storing a sound collection is that the quality of the recordings is much higher than that of lossy codecs, and they take up less space than uncompressed audio. True, lossy files are smaller than music files without loss of quality. Most modern player programs understand the lossless format. Those programs that are not able to play it can easily learn this using the lossless plugin. What are lossless sound formats?
Sound formats without loss of quality
A true music lover is unlikely to be satisfied with the sound of music recorded in Ogg Vorbis or MP3 compression formats. Of course, if you listen to audio recordings on household audio equipment, it is impossible to catch the sound flaws by ear, but if you try to play the compressed file on high-quality Hi-Fi equipment, you will immediately find sound flaws. Of course, creating a collection of quality music on CD or vinyl is not easy. There is a reasonable alternative to this path for lovers of quality sound - lossless music. It can be stored on a PC in a form that makes it possible to keep the original music settings unchanged, even if compression is applied. This way at the same time solves the problems of high quality music and its compact storage, because audio equipment for listening (headphones, speakers, amplifiers) has an affordable price.
Uncompressed sound formats without loss of quality:
- CDDA - is an audio CD standard;
- WAV - Microsoft Wave;
- IFF-8SVX;
- IFF-16SV;
- AIFF;
- AU;
- RAW.
Compressed formats:
- FLAC
- APE - Monkey's Audio;
- M4A - Apple Lossless - Apple's quality music format;
- WV - WavPack;
- WMA - Windows Media Audio 9;
- LA - Lossless Audio;
- TTA - True Audio.
- LPAC
- OFR - OptimFROG;
- RKA - RKAU;
- SHN - Shorten.
FLAC format
The most common format is the FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) format . It differs from lossy audio codecs in that no data is removed from the audio stream when used. This makes it possible to successfully use it to play music on Hi-Fi and Hi-End equipment, as well as to create an archive of a collection of audio recordings.
A great advantage of the format is its free distribution. This is important for musicians who record music on their own. The format has recently gained great popularity, due to which its support is included in the vast majority of media players.
APE format
Unlike FLAC, for the APE format there are only codecs and plugins designed for the Windows platform. For other platforms, there are expensive solutions from third-party software manufacturers. The algorithm is able to achieve compression of sound information without loss by about 1.5-2 times. It includes three main stages of coding, of which only one is based on the application of the properties inherent in sound for compression. The rest are similar to conventional archivers. Despite the fact that the compression algorithm is free, the license restrictions are such that it is practically unavailable for amateur musicians.
Apple Lossless Format
High-quality lossless music can be heard using the audio compression codec without compromising Apple quality. This format was developed by Apple for use in its own devices. The format is compatible with iPods that have special dock connectors and the latest firmware. The format does not use specific rights management tools (DRM), but the container format contains such features. It is also supported by the QuickTime application and is included as a function in iTunes.
The format is part of the libraries that are freely available, which makes it possible to organize listening to files in Windows applications. In 2011, Apple announced the source code format, which opens up broad prospects for the codec. In the future, it can seriously compete with other formats. Tests showed good results. Compressed files have a size of 40-60% of the size of the originals. The decoding speed is also impressive, which justifies its use for mobile devices whose performance is low.
One of the drawbacks of the codec is the coincidence of the extension of the audio files with the AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) audio codec . This is confusing because AAC is not a high quality music format. Therefore, it was decided to store the data in an MP4 container with the extension .m4a.
Of the other formats, Windows Media Audio 9 Lossless, which is part of the Windows Media application, is worth mentioning. It works with Windows and Mac OS X. However, users do not approve of it very favorably. Often there are problems with codec compatibility, and the number of supported channels is limited to six.
WavPack format
WavPack is another freeware audio codec that compresses audio without loss of quality. WavPack integrates an exclusive combined mode that allows you to create two files. One of the files in this mode is created of a relatively small size with loss of quality .wv, which can be played independently. The second ā.wvcā file corrects the previous ā.wvā and, in combination with it, makes it possible to fully restore the original. For some users, this approach may seem promising, because you do not need to choose between two types of compression - both will always be implemented.
Noteworthy is the video codec with high-quality sound - lagarith lossless codec. It works quickly and efficiently.
Software for listening to lossless audio
Software players did not immediately learn how to work with specific lossless codecs that can reproduce sound without loss.
WinAmp Player
This player is able to cope with almost all formats of music playback without lossless quality lossless. What is a good lossless player can be understood by its example. It is able to correctly handle the processing of individual tracks in lossless format. This is a typical FLAC or APE codec problem. It consists in the fact that the entire audio disc is digitized at once and recorded in one file without dividing into tracks. The problem of splitting into tracks is designed to solve an additional file with the extension .cue. It contains a description of the access settings for each track of the album. An ordinary player plays the entire lossless file in its entirety. The player for lossless AIMP perfectly reproduces most of the audio formats and recognizes tracks in a lossless file format.
Lossless digital players
Users respond well to digital players jetAudio, Foobar2000, Spider Player. There are no cardinal differences between them. The choice of any device is based on the subjective opinion of the music lover about the convenience of the interface for lossless playback. What is lossless format, you can find out by testing these players.
Apple Lossless format is played using iTunes. In addition, this codec is supported by the popular VLC video player.
Owners of computers compatible with Apple can use two interesting programs: Vox and Cog.
They support such lossless formats:
- Apple Lossless
- FLAC
- Monkeys Audio;
- Wavpack.
In addition to this, there are many useful features, for example, Last.fm services are supported.
Windows computer owners can use any application that is compatible with music codecs without losing quality: Foobar2000 or WinAmp. Winamp requires special plugins. Lossless music plays well on iTunes and KMPlayer. The advantage of iTunes, which is not in other players is the ability to support tags.
Lossless compatible devices
It is unlikely that the owner of the library will want to spend time converting files from the FLAC format to MP3 in order to be able to listen to the recordings on his gadget. A smartphone or tablet has limited capabilities that are not comparable to a computer, but nevertheless, many of the mobile devices lose lossless formats.
For example, owners of Android devices can use the andLess player. It is capable of playing files in FLAC, APE, uncompressed WAV and other formats supported by Android.
The situation is worse for owners of devices based on the Blackberry platform. Only owners of the Bold 9000 and 8900 and later can listen to the lossless format.
Apple device owners can easily use the ALAC codec. It is supported by the iPod (except shuffle), iPhone and iPad. For the FLAC format, you can download the FLAC Player in the App Store.
The FLAC codec is supported by Samsung Galaxy devices, some Sony Ericsson smartphones, and iriver players.
Received FLAC support and stationary devices from many manufacturers. Media players and media centers can do without a personal computer while listening to songs without loss of quality.
So far, full support for absolutely all formats is far away, but it is enough that the media player understands the FLAC codec - the most common lossless music codec. What is lossless playback equipment?
Listening equipment
To get real pleasure from sound quality, you need special equipment: headphones, amplifiers, speakers. The easiest way, of course, with headphones. If you intend to enjoy music while sitting at the computer, they will work best. Users respond well to Koss and Sennheiser products. Particular attention should be paid to the size of the membrane. The bigger it is, the better the sound. It is important not to be deceived. Some manufacturers put a small membrane in large ear pads - these headphones look solid, and the sound is only suitable for listening to mp3.
It is difficult for fans of high-quality sound equipment (Hi-Fi or Hi-End) to recommend anything. The choice in this area is limited only by the budget and tastes. Equalizer, amplifier, acoustics - the choice of these devices has many options. For PC owners who choose high-quality acoustics for their computer, it is better to stay on the budget monitor speakers of any well-known brand. Users respond well to the acoustics of the Microlab SOLO series. In order for music in lossless quality to sound good, it is important to purchase speakers with a subwoofer. Two-way acoustics can not cope with the reproduction of the lower frequency band.
Summary
New formats of digital sound have made it possible for lovers of quality music to acquire their own libraries on high-capacity storage media and listen to their favorite compositions in high quality, saving quite a lot of money and quite a lot of space. The ideal option, of course, is a complete set of Hi-End equipment, but budget options will give music lovers a great pleasure. After all, the thrill of listening to music is incomparable with MP3 on plastic speakers.
Lossless format is often used in the work of a home music studio. It allows you to save the created track in good quality. The composition does not take up much space, but it can be shared with friends. Lossless music is gaining ground. It is possible that she will even begin to supplant traditional mp3 formats.