WAV (Waveform Audio File Format) is an uncompressed audio file format developed by Microsoft and IBM, storing raw audio data in a standard digital container. It uses PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) encoding to represent sound waves as precise digital samples, maintaining high audio fidelity and supporting multiple bit depths and sampling rates. WAV files preserve original audio quality, making them ideal for professional audio production and archival purposes.
Uncompressed audio with exceptional sound quality, wide compatibility across platforms, supports high-resolution audio, preserves original recording details, and allows precise audio editing. Ideal for professional audio work requiring maximum fidelity.
Large file sizes, inefficient storage and transmission, limited compression, higher storage requirements compared to compressed formats like MP3. Not suitable for streaming or web-based audio applications with bandwidth constraints.
WAV files are extensively used in professional audio recording, music production, sound design, audio editing, and multimedia development. They are preferred in recording studios, film and video post-production, game audio development, and scientific audio research. Musicians, sound engineers, and audio professionals rely on WAV for lossless, high-quality audio preservation and precise sound manipulation.