File extension .AU
| Full Name | Developer | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Unix Audio Sound File Format | N/A | Audio Files |
An AU file is an audio file encoded as a standard Unix audio format developed at Sun Microsystems. The AU file extension stands for the Audio Interchange File Format (AIFF), which was used in early computers to store digitized sounds and music from CD quality on hard drives. It is one of many popular formats that digital audio editors such as Adobe Audition, Audacity, and Apple Logic Pro support, and it's also supported by most media player programs, such as iTunes, VLC, and Windows Media Player. An AU file can contain audio data in either pulse-code modulation (PCM) format or mu-law format.
Technically Speaking
AU files feature a 48 kHz sample rate, allowing the user to record up to 8-bit or 16-bit audio at a given time. The PCM format contains samples in signed linear form while the mu-law format features 8-bit samples that are ? (mu)-law compressed. These compressed formats are most commonly used for telephone or voice recordings as they provide a wider dynamic range and better noise suppression than PCM. Additionally, an AU file can be G722 compressed, an ITU-T codec designed to minimize transmitted bandwidth and optimize voice quality. This compression is mainly used in VoIP applications.
Similar Formats
Common audio formats with similar functions include .WAV, .AAC, .FLAC, and .OGG. Unlike AU files, these remain uncompressed, making them generally larger in size than AU files but providing more precise sound reproduction.
Programs for WINDOWS system
Programs for MAC system
Programs for LINUX system
Programs for Android system
After installing the required software, the operating system will usually automatically associate an unknown file type (in this case .AU) with the new application. If this does not happen, we can help the system a bit by selecting the software for it, which it should always use to open files with the .AU extension.
When choosing the software we can select the system to use this software every time.
Remember!
Using it for the first time it is good to check whether the .AU file opened in the application can be read by us and opens in a way that allows us to use it. If everything is in order, select this option the next time you open a file with the .AU extension. However, if the file has not opened correctly, we have to look for a different software, with which we can open files with the .AU extension. Select a different software from our list and install it on your computer. After the software is installed, repeat inspection openings of a .AU file. Sometimes you have to repeat the operation several times.
Other instructions
If none of the programs listed by us to work with the .AU file has not meet your expectations, you can try searching other websites. But remember to avoid downloading programs "that can open any file". These applications not only have very limited functionality, but may also expose you to expense tens of dollars when purchasing a license.
In the vast majority of cases you will find the program dedicated to support the .AU file, or any other file format. In addition, there is a chance that it will be a free program, and its functionality (concerning the .AU file) will be extended to the maximum.
It is also good to check
- if the .AU file has no errors
- or if it has been copied (or downloaded by the browser) thoroughly
Author’s guidelines
Mr B. Adam
Author of the guidelines / Founder of FileExtension.info
New technologies enthusiast, helping to solve problems with the files.
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