Java and Sound File Compression

I just wanted everyone to know that .aif (also .aiff) Audio Interchange File Format files are the currently compatible compression format for use with Java in general.

MMF2 accepts and can use .aif files as it currently has a filter for them built-in.

This format only gives fair compression depending on your usage, settings, and needs. It certainly beats using uncompressed .wav files if size is your concern.

Free free to discuss this format and share free and commercial tools that can be used for conversion.

I have one here that is rather advertising intensive, but it really does a fast and good job at converting an amazing amount of file types, (sound, graphic, video, text, etc.) right from your browser. When you convert a .wav to .aif, it gives you the bit depth and sample rate options to choose from:

http://media-convert.com/

Awesome!

I'd use Quicktime PRO (via the Quicktime Player) to export the audio .. Since it will do it the official 'Mac' way .. lol ..I assume it will work! ;)

Will test it out and report back later!

-Mel ;)

Excellent.. I'm interested in this. I tried to export to AIFF using Audacity but the size ended up the same.

Wow! The AIFF files created by quicktime (windows and mac), as well as several other audio programs don't work inside of MMF .. Is there a bug with the AIFF filter?

The first few seconds will play, but then the rest of the file hisses. It plays fine in other programs ...

-Mel ;)

Indeed,.. it happened here too.

edit: Melli, does the Quicktime PRO compress the AIFF?

Ah! The AIFF filter only works with 8bit sound files! LOL

I'm sure Clickteam will fix this when they get a spare minute..

-Mel ;)

Well .. Just tested it with Xwrap! It worked! :)

At least we have 8 bit sound! LOL ...

-Mel ;)

Melli, does the Quicktime compress the AIFF? Or do you know other program that effectively does it? As far as I could test here, AIFF audio has the same size as uncompressed WAV. Thanks

Hi Bruto_memo!

Just setting the AIFF file to 8bit will half it's size. Or more! (Doesn't mean we don't need 16bit! lol)

I used Quicktime Player PRO..

File > Export >

AIFF Export Options:
Format: Linear PCM
Channels: Stereo L & R (making this mono will half the size again BTW!)
Rate: 22050 (hopefully 44.1Khz works too! Havn't tested yet!)

Quality: Normal
Sample Size: 8 bits

There are compression formats instead of PCM such as IMA 4:1 and Qualcomm PureVoice .. I doubt MMF supports these codecs though ..

-Mel

hmmm so a regular game would be quite big, if it has soundtracks

You could use a programatic Music system with Loops .. That will help keep the size low and add dynamics to your music! ;)

-Mel

As for the compression codecs other than ADPCM, they work in MMF2, but not in your Java builds. The problem with using codecs is that they have to be installed on your target machine, so with Java, you want compatibility, anyway.

Please do keep this conversation going with reports on tools and any problems.

I thought that I had functional results with my tests using SoundForge to compress and save the .aiff files at various settings.

I'm going to have to double-check that so we can find out what's up with the way the format is saved, by what program, and how MMF2 handles it in Java.

One of the Moderators mentioned something about an Ogg Vorbis class, but I don't know if it is feasible or how that would go. One would hope that Java would expand and improve to a point, over time, that would utilize newer technology.

Sorry Novabrain, but I don't see where we're going off the track here. You said:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Novabrain

This format only gives fair compression depending on your usage, settings, and needs. It certainly beats using uncompressed .wav files if size is your concern.

Free free to discuss this format and share free and commercial tools that can be used for conversion.

---

And Melli and I, we're just investigating if AIFF really beats the uncompressed WAV as you stated above for usage with MMF2. You also said that we, users, should feel free to discuss this format, and that's what we're doing.. discussing the format, tools and trying to find a viable path of compatibility to MacOS in the sound area.

Hmmm. I was just interjecting some comments about my experience and POV on the subject.

You folks are doing fine and I appreciate the interest. Sorry, if somehow my post sounded like I was suggesting any problems with the nature of the discussion. That wasn't my intent.

Cooling the temperature down a bit .. ;)

Just found bugs with the audio engine in java..The audio plays (though I'm not sure if it's in the correct channel) but ...

Using the Stop ALL Sounds action doesn't stop the audio.. It just keeps playing!

Posting example in a bit ..

-Mel

THE AUDIO BUGS

If Francois can take a look at this that would be great! ;)

Problem: Sounds playing on wrong channels, and stop sound is not playing. Also will not play from external file (Though you may have fixed that now! ;) )

Download
AUDIO BUGS .

-Mel ;)

Corrected!

Great! ;)

Sorry if my post looked like it was "warming up" the temperature :P

Good Job finding the bugs Melli, and thanks François for fixing them :)

All good!

Everyone has to just remember that this is a text-based forum! It's very easy to misinterpret what is actually going on and it's happened to me loads of times! lol ;)

Let's keep bug-hunting! The faster we find them, the faster Francois and Yves can fix them! ;)

And thanks Francois for doing a great job! :)

-Mel ;)

I think that is what happened there. I read my posts over and figured something came across wrong ;)

Anyway, I am really pleased that not only is this thread a resource about sound in Java, some bugs are being found and fixed. Yay!

Can only be a good thing! ;)

-Mel

Will OGG be available? It's free software, so I can't see why not.

It's interesting that there's music in my game on my PC, but it can't play the music on my Mac.
I've tried .wav and also .aif files. What's the most suitable format that can be played on both of them?

For mac use AIFF 8 bits?

I will try it, thanks Bruto_Memo! I haven't dealt with bits, so maybe...

I've tried it... It doesn't work. :(
As I'm looking at the other sounds, it's interesting that the effects are 44khz 16 bit .wav files, and it can play them.
I should try this format?

(Sorry for double post)

I've found the solution - the 11khz 8bit .wav file can be played on my Mac!

Thanks for your help!