11 Common Audiobook Formats You Must Know
Audio files come in all shapes and sizes, but the most common audiobook formats can be divided into two groups: those that you should care about and those that you can ignore.
1. Lossy Compressed Audio Formats
Lossy compression is a type of compression that loses data during the compression process, which means sacrificing quality and fidelity for file size in the case of audio. The good news is that you won’t be able to tell the difference in most cases.
AAX(.aax)
Audible created the AAX file format, which is DRM-encoded and can only be played on Audible software. However, with the help of Audible Converter, you can convert AAX to MP3 and play the MP3 files on your favorite audio players or other third-party music apps.
M4A/M4B(.m4a/.m4b)
Both formats include metadata such as chapter markers, images, and hyperlinks, but only the latter allows “bookmarks,” whereas the former does not.
AAC(.aac)
AAC is the standard audio compression method used by YouTube, Android, iOS, iTunes, later Nintendo portables, and later PlayStations. The compression algorithm used by AAC is much more advanced and technical than MP3, and it is widely used today.
Ogg (.ogg)
Vorbis was first released in 2000 and quickly gained popularity due to its open source nature. Because MP3 and AAC have such strong footholds, OGG has had a difficult time breaking into the spotlight; for the time being, it’s primarily used by open source zealots.
WMA(.wma)
WMA was created to address some of the flaws in the MP3 compression method, and it is superior to MP3 in terms of objective quality. However, few devices and platforms support WMA, and it offers no real advantages over AAC or OGG.
2. Lossless Compressed Audio Formats
Lossy compression allows files to be 2x to 5x larger, while lossless compression reduces file size without sacrificing quality. Lossless compression is much more difficult to achieve, but there are a few good formats for it.
FLAC (.flac)
FLAC is the most popular alternative to MP3 for CD audio, and it can compress a source file by up to 60% without losing any data. FLAC is supported by most major programs and devices, and it is free to play on any PC or Mac.
ALAC (.alac)
While ALAC is good, it’s slightly less efficient than FLAC when it comes to compression, and Apple users don’t have a choice between the two because they’re both supported by iTunes and iOS.
WMA (.wma)
WMA Lossless is the worst in terms of compression efficiency when compared to FLAC and ALAC, and it’s a proprietary format, so it’s no good for open source software fans. If you want lossless audio across multiple devices, stick with FLAC.
What is the best format for an audiobook?
Types of Audiobooks
- AAX. If you find the actual files of your Audible audiobooks, you may see an AAX file.
- M4A/M4B. The compressed format used by Apple, just as the AAX is used by Audible, is the M4A or M4B.
- AAC.
- M4P.
- OGG.
- WMA.
- FLAC.
Are audiobooks MP3 files?
Most portable music players, such as the Apple iPod and Microsoft Zune, support the MP3 format, which is a compressed audio format commonly used to store music files and audiobooks on a hard drive.
How much does it cost to create an audiobook?
The average audiobook is about 12 hours long, and it costs about $300-$400 per finished hour, which means a finished product can cost anywhere from $5000-$6000 to produce. Of course, the longer the book, the more expensive it is to produce.
What format are Amazon Audible books in?
Audible AA files come with a Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection that prevents them from being shared, so if you want to listen to them on any player you have, you’ll need to remove the DRM and convert them to MP3 files.
How can I listen to an audiobook?
Downloaded audiobooks can be listened to.
- Open the Google Play Books App on your Android phone or tablet.
- Tap Library.
- At the top, tap Audiobooks.
- Tap the audiobook you want to listen to, and it will begin playing automatically.
- Optional: You can change how the audiobook is played, or set a sleep timer:
How can I listen to audiobooks for free?
Where can I get free audiobooks on the internet?
- Libby by Overdrive.
- Podiobooks.
- Project Gutenberg.
- Lit2Go.
- Loyal Books.
- Mind Webs.
- Open Culture.
- Libby by Over
Is Audible worth the price?
If you listen to audiobooks on the go and enjoy reading, paying a monthly fee for an Audible membership is well worth it. You can mark your place in an audiobook and take notes using the Audible app, but it’s not as convenient as having a copy of the book that you can flick through on a screen or tablet.
Do audiobook narrators get royalties?
A. Most Audiobook Narrators Choose Full-Buyout Over Royalties Most audiobooks are structured as a ‘full-buyout,’ which means you own the entire recording and are not obligated to pay the narrator royalties derived from future sales.
Do audio books make money?
The majority of freelance audiobook work is paid in royalties; if you record an audiobook with ACX, you’ll usually either set a flat rate or split royalties with the rights holder. Royalty deals have advantages and disadvantages; figure out what will work best for you.
How do I get paid to read audiobooks?
Get Paid To Read Aloud (17 Sites Currently Hiring!)
- Voices.
- Spoken Realms.
- The Voice Realm.
- Bunny Studio.
- Voice Jungle.
- Backstage.
- Voice 123.
- Audio Creative Exchange (ACX)
How can I listen to Kindle books without Audible?
Download the Kindle app for Android from the Google Play store, then tap the Kindle book you want to read and listen to. If your Kindle book isn’t showing up, tap the menu icon at the top left, then tap the Sync button.
Is Audible free with Prime?
While an Audible membership is not included with Amazon Prime, it is available at a discounted rate for Prime members. A limited number of Audible books are available for free with your Prime membership, though the list is small compared to the entire Audible library.
How can I listen to my Audible books after Cancelling?
If you have any remaining credits on your account, you will be prompted to use them before canceling; however, any remaining credits will expire with your membership; however, you will be able to keep and access any audiobooks in your Library even if you do not have an Audible account.