Audio Files: Original vs WAV vs MP3
1. The Original Signal
The true original signal is a continuous analog sound wave (air pressure variations over time). That’s what your ears hear.
2. WAV File
A .wav file stores audio using Pulse-Code Modulation (PCM):
- The analog signal is sampled (measured many times per second)
- Each sample is quantized into numbers
- Stored as digital data
WAV = digitized version of the original signal, not modulated in the radio sense
✔ Very close to original (especially at high sample rates like 44.1 kHz)
3. MP3 File
An .mp3 file uses Perceptual Coding:
- Starts from PCM audio (like WAV)
- Removes parts humans are less likely to hear
- Compresses the data significantly
MP3 = compressed and modified version of the original signal
✔ Smaller size
❌ Some information permanently lost (lossy)
4. Summary
- WAV → near-original digital recording (high fidelity)
- MP3 → compressed, perceptually altered version