Audio Codecs

TL;DR

Audio codecs compress and decompress sound for streaming, playback, and editing.
Supported codecs: AAC, AC3, Opus, MP3, OGG Vorbis, OGG Speex, WAV, FLAC, PCM.
AAC and Opus are excellent for streaming; FLAC and WAV for production; AC3 for surround sound; MP3 for legacy devices.
Always match your codec to the audience’s device, quality expectations, and bandwidth.

If video is the eyes, audio is the ears. Without the right audio codec, even the most stunning video can feel flat. Audio codecs are what compress, transmit, and decompress sound for playback across devices, from smartphones to smart TVs.

Our platform supports a wide variety of audio codecs to ensure your video content sounds its best—whether for streaming, APIs, or professional production.

What is an Audio Codec?

An audio codec is a method for compressing and decompressing sound. It balances three key factors:

Quality: Fidelity of the audio.
Size: File size after compression.
Compatibility: Whether it plays across devices and platforms.

Choosing the right codec ensures your audience hears every note, word, and effect as intended, without unnecessary buffering or quality loss.

Supported Audio Codecs

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the codecs our platform supports:

Codec	Notes
AAC	Advanced Audio Codec, widely used for streaming and mobile. High quality with moderate file sizes. Default for many platforms, including YouTube and Apple devices.
AC3	Dolby Digital format for surround sound. Common in broadcast and home theater. Supports multi-channel audio (5.1, 7.1).
Opus	Open-source, royalty-free. Great for low-latency streaming like VoIP or live video. Very efficient for both speech and music.
MP3	Classic and universally compatible. Lossy compression, still widely used for podcasts and legacy support.
OGG Vorbis	Open-source, high-quality alternative to MP3. Efficient for web streaming, especially when avoiding licensing fees.
OGG Speex	Specialized for voice audio. Efficient, low bitrate, ideal for VoIP and audio chat.
WAV	Uncompressed PCM audio. High-quality, large files. Great for editing, archiving, and professional production.
FLAC	Lossless compression. Preserves all audio details with smaller files than WAV. Popular for high-fidelity music streaming.
PCM	Pulse-Code Modulation. Raw, uncompressed audio. Used in professional recording and broadcasting.

Trends and Recommendations

Opus for Streaming and Voice
- Gains traction for live streaming, conferencing, and gaming due to low latency and high efficiency.
AAC Remains the Default for Streaming
- Almost every browser and mobile device supports it. Still the safest choice for general video content.
FLAC and WAV for Archival or High-Fidelity
- Lossless audio is essential for editing, post-production, or premium music delivery.
MP3 is Legacy-Friendly
- Still relevant for podcasts, legacy systems, and broad compatibility.
AC3 for Multichannel Audio
- Surround sound in movies, TV, and CTV remains a use case where AC3 shines.

Best Practices for Choosing an Audio Codec

Streaming Video Content: Use AAC or Opus for high-quality sound with small file sizes.
Professional Production: Use WAV or FLAC for lossless recording and editing.
Voice / Low-Bandwidth: Opus or Speex provide excellent clarity at lower bitrates.
TV / Surround Sound: AC3 is ideal for home theater or CTV ads with multi-channel audio.
Legacy / Maximum Compatibility: MP3 is the universal fallback for nearly any device.

Quick Tips

Always consider the audience’s device and bandwidth when selecting a codec.
For cross-platform compatibility, encode a high-quality AAC version and keep a backup in MP3.
For professional archiving, preserve a WAV or FLAC master before encoding to lossy formats.
Low-latency streaming like webinars or video calls benefits from Opus over AAC or MP3.

Audio is more than just background noise—it’s part of the experience your audience remembers. Choosing the right codec ensures that your video, CTV ad, or streaming content sounds as good as it looks, across all devices.