What Is Lossless Audio?

Nothing thrown away

Lossless means exactly that: the audio is stored, or compressed and restored, without losing any of the original information. WAV is lossless and uncompressed. FLAC is lossless but compressed, so it is smaller than WAV while still restoring the full signal on playback. Lossy formats like MP3 and AAC, by contrast, permanently discard detail to save space.

For mastering, distribution, and serious listening, lossless is the standard because it keeps the full quality of the mix intact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between lossless and lossy audio?

Lossless audio keeps every detail of the original, while lossy audio permanently discards some information to shrink the file. WAV and FLAC are lossless; MP3 and AAC are lossy.

Is WAV lossless?

Yes. WAV is an uncompressed, lossless format that preserves the full audio signal. AetherWave delivers a 24-bit / 48 kHz WAV from mastering.