Table of Contents
Free Audio Codecs
Lossless
FLAC
http://flac.sourceforge.net/
« An audio format similar to MP3, but lossless, meaning that audio is compressed in FLAC without any loss in quality. This is similar to how Zip works, except with FLAC you will get much better compression because it is designed specifically for audio, and you can play back compressed FLAC files in your favorite player (or your car or home stereo, see supported devices) just like you would an MP3 file.
FLAC stands out as the fastest and most widely supported lossless audio codec, and the only one that at once is non-proprietary, is unencumbered by patents, has an open-source reference implementation, has a well documented format and API, and has several other independent implementations. »
TTA lossless audio codec - a realtime audio compressor
http://en.true-audio.com/TTA_Lossless_Audio_Codec_-_Realtime_Audio_Compressor
« The TTA lossless audio codec performs lossless compression on multichannel 8, 16 and 24-bit data of WAV audio files. The term “lossless” refers to the fact that such compression results in literally no data or quality loss; when decompressed, the audio file data are bit-identical to those of their originals. Compression ratios achieved by the TTA codec vary, depending on music type, but range from 30% - 70% of the original. The TTA lossless compressed audio format supports both ID3v1 and ID3v2 information tags.
The TTA lossless audio codec allows for the storage of up to 20 audio CDs worth of music on a single DVD-R, retaining the original CD quality audio, plus detailed information in the popular ID3 tag format. »
Monkey’s Audio Codec
« Monkey’s Audio is a fast and easy way to compress digital music. Unlike traditional methods such as mp3, ogg, or wma that permanently discard quality to save space, Monkey’s Audio only makes perfect, bit-for-bit copies of your music. That means it always sounds perfect – exactly the same as the original. »
WavPack - Hybrid Lossless Audio Compression
« A lossless, high-quality lossy, and a unique hybrid compression mode. Although the technology is loosely based on previous versions of WavPack, the new version 4 format has been designed from the ground up to offer unparalleled performance and functionality.
In the default lossless mode WavPack acts just like a WinZip compressor for audio files. However, unlike MP3 or WMA encoding which can affect the sound quality, not a single bit of the original information is lost, so there's no chance of degradation. This makes lossless mode ideal for archiving audio material or any other situation where quality is paramount. The compression ratio depends on the source material, but generally is between 30% and 70%. »
Lossy
SPEEX
« Patent-free audio compression format designed for speech. The Speex Project aims to lower the barrier of entry for voice applications by providing a free alternative to expensive proprietary speech codecs. Moreover, Speex is well-adapted to Internet applications and provides useful features that are not present in most other codecs. »
Uncompressing Formats
WAV
RAW
raw audio stream data (format must be known)
Misc