Was ist ALAC? Vollständige Anleitung zum ALAC-Format
Vollständiger Leitfaden zu ALAC-Dateien - technische Details, Vor- und Nachteile, Anwendungsfälle und häufig gestellte Fragen
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What is it?
ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) is a lossless audio compression format developed by Apple and released in 2004. Like FLAC, ALAC compresses audio data without any loss of quality - the decoded audio is bit-for-bit identical to the original source. Apple originally kept ALAC proprietary, but open-sourced it in 2011 under the Apache License. ALAC files are stored in the M4A container (the same container used by AAC), using the.m4a file extension.
Apple uses ALAC as the format for lossless streaming on Apple Music, which launched lossless support in 2021. ALAC files are natively supported on all Apple devices including iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV without any additional software or codec installation. The compression ratio is typically around 40 to 50% reduction compared to uncompressed PCM audio (similar to FLAC), while preserving every sample of the original recording perfectly.
Technical Specifications
Pros & Cons
Advantages
Lossless compression means the decoded audio is identical to the original - no quality loss ever.
Plays natively on all Apple devices and software without any codec installation needed.
The format Apple uses to deliver lossless streaming, supporting up to 24-bit/192 kHz audio.
The codec is open source and freely usable since 2011, despite its Apple origins.
Disadvantages
Lossless files are 2 to 3 times larger than equivalent AAC files - high quality comes at a storage cost.
While open source, ALAC is less widely supported in non-Apple software and hardware players compared to FLAC.
FLAC and ALAC are both lossless and produce identical audio quality; FLAC has broader support outside the Apple ecosystem.
Significantly larger than MP3 or AAC files, requiring more storage and download bandwidth.
When to Use It
Here are the most common situations where ALAC is the right choice:
Apple Music-Bibliothek
Use ALAC when building a lossless music library intended for Apple devices and software.
iTunes und Musik-App
ALAC is the recommended lossless format for importing CDs into the Apple Music app on Mac.
Audio-Archivierung auf Apple
Archive ripped CDs and high-resolution audio downloads in ALAC for permanent lossless storage.
Hochauflösende Audio
ALAC supports up to 24-bit/384 kHz, making it appropriate for high-resolution audiophile recordings.
How to open a ALAC file
ALAC, or Apple Lossless Audio Codec, is a format primarily used for lossless audio compression. Software that handles ALAC files can be categorized into professional audio editing tools, free and open-source applications, web-based players, and built-in system utilities. Professional tools are suited for audio engineers and musicians, while free options cater to casual users and those on a budget. Built-in utilities are convenient for quick playback without additional installations.
When choosing software for ALAC, key factors include feature fidelity, whether the focus is on editing or simple playback, and the cost model of the software. Users should consider platform compatibility, as some applications are exclusive to certain operating systems. Additionally, if extensive editing or conversion to other formats is required, selecting a tool with robust export capabilities may be more beneficial than using a basic player.
Audacity 3.2.0
Audacity is a free, open-source audio editing software that supports ALAC files for both playback and editing. It allows users to manipulate audio tracks with high fidelity and offers various effects and editing tools tailored for detailed audio work.
- Multi-track audio editing
- Support for VST plugins
- Real-time audio monitoring
- Spectrogram view for analysis
- Batch processing for file conversion
- Comprehensive editing capabilities
- Free and open-source
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Limited built-in effects compared to paid software
Exportiert nach: WAV, MP3, OGG, FLAC, AIFF
Am besten für: Audacity is ideal for users needing a powerful, free tool for editing ALAC files with extensive features.
Besuchen Audacity →VLC Media Player 3.0.16
VLC Media Player is a versatile media player that supports a wide range of audio formats, including ALAC. It excels in playback quality and offers a simple interface for users who want to listen to ALAC files without any editing features.
- Wide format support including ALAC
- Customizable playback settings
- Network streaming capabilities
- Audio visualization options
- Lightweight and fast performance
- Extensive format compatibility
- No ads or spyware
- Cross-platform availability
- Limited editing features
- User interface can be overwhelming
Exportiert nach: None (playback only)
Am besten für: VLC is perfect for users seeking a reliable, free player for ALAC files without editing needs.
Besuchen VLC Media Player →Adobe Audition 2023
Adobe Audition is a professional audio editing software that provides extensive support for ALAC files. It is designed for audio professionals and offers advanced editing, mixing, and restoration tools with high fidelity.
- Multi-track editing and mixing
- Advanced noise reduction tools
- Support for 32-bit audio processing
- Spectral frequency display
- Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud
- Professional-grade editing features
- Seamless integration with other Adobe tools
- High-quality audio processing
- Monthly subscription cost
- Resource-intensive on older systems
Exportiert nach: WAV, MP3, AAC, FLAC, OGG
Am besten für: Adobe Audition is suited for audio professionals who require comprehensive tools for editing and producing ALAC files.
Besuchen Adobe Audition →iTunes 12.12.9
iTunes is a media player and library application that natively supports ALAC files for playback and management. It allows users to organize their music collections and offers basic editing features like metadata editing.
- Music library organization
- Metadata editing for ALAC files
- Playlist creation and sharing
- Integration with Apple Music
- Syncing with iOS devices
- User-friendly interface
- Built-in on macOS systems
- Good for music management
- Limited editing capabilities
- Can be slow with large libraries
Exportiert nach: AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF
Am besten für: iTunes is ideal for macOS users looking for a straightforward way to manage and play ALAC files without complex editing needs.
Besuchen iTunes →Convert ALAC Files
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Convert ALAC Files