Hybrid Lossless Audio Compression
About
WavPack is a completely open audio compression format providing 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%.
The hybrid mode provides all the advantages of lossless compression with an additional bonus. Instead of creating a single file, this mode creates both a relatively small, high-quality lossy file that can be used all by itself, and a "correction" file that (when combined with the lossy file) provides full lossless restoration. For some users this means never having to choose between lossless and lossy compression!
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%.
The hybrid mode provides all the advantages of lossless compression with an additional bonus. Instead of creating a single file, this mode creates both a relatively small, high-quality lossy file that can be used all by itself, and a "correction" file that (when combined with the lossy file) provides full lossless restoration. For some users this means never having to choose between lossless and lossy compression!
Features
- Compatible with virtually all PCM audio formats including 8, 16, and 24-bit ints; 32-bit floats; mono, stereo, and multichannel; sampling rates from 6 to 192 kHz
- Multiplatform support including Windows, Linux, Solaris and MacOS X
- Instantly seekable and streaming capable
- Error-tolerant block format conducive to hardware decoding
- Optional "asymmetrical" mode for improved compression
- MD5 audio checksums for verification and identification
- Unique hybrid mode (provides high quality lossy + "correction" file
- Hybrid mode now operates as low as 2.25 bits/sample (or 196 kbps for CD audio)
- Free and open source with easy to use library interface and unrestrictive license (BSD)
- Intuitive command line interface (with wildcards and destination directory)
- Small, efficient executable (no large programs or dlls to install)
- Fully backward compatible to WavPack 1.0
- Self-extracting archives (Windows only)
- Complete piping support
Software
- Custom Windows Frontend (by Speek)
- NullSoft Winamp (plugin available here, w/ ReplayGain & Media Library)
- Foobar2000 Advanced Audio Player (official addon, w/ ReplayGain & Cuesheets)
- Adobe Audition (and CoolEdit) (filter available here, w/ 32-bit floats & extra info save)
- dBpowerAMP Music Converter / Audio Player / CD Writer (official addon)
- Apollo Audio Player (plugin available here, w/ ReplayGain)
- Ahead Nero Burning Rom (plugin available here)
- Mp3tag Universal Tag Editor
- EAC CD Ripper
Archive
Contact
david (at) wavpack (dot) com
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