Why convert AIFF to AAC?

Converting AIFF to AAC reduces large uncompressed file sizes and creates audio files optimized for streaming, mobile playback, and digital distribution.

Is AAC a lossless format like AIFF?

No, AAC uses lossy compression which reduces file size by removing some audio data, unlike AIFF which is lossless and preserves full audio fidelity.

Can all devices play AAC files?

Most modern devices support AAC but compatibility depends on the specific AAC profile used. Some older devices may not support profiles like HE-AAC.

Convert Your Audio from AIFF to AAC Format

Easily convert AIFF audio files to the AAC format for efficient streaming, mobile playback, and digital distribution with this online audio converter tool.

Upload Your File | Maximum Size Upto 25MB

Quick Access To 12 AIFF File Conversion Pairs

What Is This Tool?

This tool converts audio files from the AIFF format, known for high-quality uncompressed audio, into the AAC format, a popular lossy codec designed for efficient compression and broad device compatibility.

How to Use This Tool?

Upload your AIFF audio file to the converter.
Select AAC as the desired output format.
Adjust any settings if available for bitrate or profiles (e.g., AAC-LC, HE-AAC).
Click the convert button to start the process.
Download the converted AAC file for streaming or playback.

Key Features

Converts AIFF files to AAC for reduced file sizes and easier sharing.
Supports high-quality output suitable for streaming and mobile playback.
Browser-based and user-friendly interface requiring no installation.
Preserves audio quality efficiently using AAC’s perceptual coding.
Compatible with many devices, operating systems, and media players.

Examples

Convert final AIFF stems from a professional music project into AAC for upload to streaming services.
Transform AIFF dialog audio tracks into AAC format to reduce size for adaptive video streaming.
Create mobile-compatible AAC versions of high-resolution AIFF recordings for smartphone playback.

Common Use Cases

Preparing studio-quality AIFF masters for efficient digital distribution and online stores.
Encoding audio from digital audio workstations (DAWs) into AAC for use in video or internet radio.
Reducing large AIFF file sizes to create portable, mobile-friendly audio files.

Tips & Best Practices

Use this conversion to balance quality and file size for streaming and mobile use.
Remember that AIFF is a lossless master format; AAC is lossy and best for delivery, not archiving.
Choose the appropriate AAC profile based on device compatibility and bitrate needs.
Tag AAC files within MP4/M4A containers for better metadata support.
Be aware of patent or licensing restrictions associated with some AAC encoders.

Limitations

Conversion is lossy—audio data is compressed with some quality loss compared to the original AIFF.
AAC profiles vary in device support; older devices might not play HE-AAC encoded files.
Raw AAC streams have limited metadata, requiring containerized formats for tagging.
Additional processing may be needed due to AIFF’s large size and big-endian byte order.
Patent and licensing restrictions may apply to AAC encoding and decoding technologies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert AIFF to AAC?: Converting AIFF to AAC reduces large uncompressed file sizes and creates audio files optimized for streaming, mobile playback, and digital distribution.
Is AAC a lossless format like AIFF?: No, AAC uses lossy compression which reduces file size by removing some audio data, unlike AIFF which is lossless and preserves full audio fidelity.
Can all devices play AAC files?: Most modern devices support AAC but compatibility depends on the specific AAC profile used. Some older devices may not support profiles like HE-AAC.

Key Terminology

AIFF: Audio Interchange File Format, a lossless chunk-based audio format developed by Apple storing uncompressed PCM audio with basic metadata.
AAC: Advanced Audio Coding, a lossy auditory compression standard designed for efficient perceptual coding and broad device compatibility.
Lossy Compression: An audio encoding method that removes some audio information to reduce file size, often sacrificing some fidelity.
HE-AAC: A profile of AAC that includes spectral band replication for improved audio quality at low bitrates, commonly used in streaming.

Quick Knowledge Check

What is a key advantage of AAC over AIFF for audio distribution?

AIFF files are smaller in size

AAC files have reduced size for streaming

AAC files are uncompressed

Which format preserves full fidelity audio without compression?

AIFF

AAC

MP3

What is a limitation of using AAC for archiving?

It uses lossless compression

It is a lossy format not suitable for masters

It has no device support