Encoders

Fraunhofer FDK AAC (Advanced Audio Coding)

• Type: Lossy compression achieving transparent quality at high bitrates
• Encoders:
  • Fraunhofer FDK-AAC (all platforms): Industry-standard reference encoder
  • Apple AudioToolbox AAC (macOS only): Hardware-accelerated encoder for Apple Silicon
• Bitrate: 256 kbit/s in Simple Mode (maximum 512 kbit/s). Encoding artifacts disappear at 320 kbit/s.
• File Size: 30 seconds at 256 kbit/s = ~1 MB

Opus Interactive Audio Format

• Type: Open-source lossy compression with low algorithmic delay
• Best For: Live applications and voice content (optimized for speech in TNT)
• Bitrate: 12-510 kbit/s (minimum 6 kbit/s, UI-limited to 12 kbit/s)

FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec)

• Type: Lossless compression preserving original audio data
• Best For: Archiving and digital delivery requiring perfect fidelity
• File Size: 40-60% of uncompressed PCM

LAME / MPEG-I Layer 3 (MP3)

• Type: Lossy compression with universal compatibility
• Best For: Devices that cannot decode AAC or Opus
• Quality: Less efficient than AAC or Opus at low bitrates; usable at high bitrates (>320 kbit/s)
• File Size: 30 seconds at 160 kbit/s = 0.6 MB

PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) / WAV

• Type: Uncompressed audio data (WAV container)
• Settings:
  • Sample Rate: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, or 192 kHz (samples per second)
  • Bit Depth: 16, 24, 32, or 64-bit (precision per sample; 32/64 are floating-point)
• File Size: 30 seconds at 48 kHz/24-bit = 8.64 MB

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