Choosing the right audio format can make a real difference to the quality of your vocal removal, stem splitting, and final downloads. Here's what you need to know.
The Two Categories: Lossy vs Lossless
All audio formats fall into one of two categories:
- Lossy — permanently discard audio data to reduce file size. Once lost, it can't be recovered. Examples: MP3, AAC, OGG
- Lossless — preserve every bit of audio data. File size is larger but quality is perfect. Examples: WAV, FLAC, AIFF
MP3 — The Universal Standard
- Tiny file size
- Universal compatibility
- Good for streaming
- Lossy compression
- Artefacts at low bitrates
- Not ideal for processing
MP3 at 320kbps is indistinguishable from lossless for most listeners in A/B tests. At 128kbps (common for downloads), you may hear "swirling" artefacts on cymbals and reverb tails. For vocal removal, 320kbps MP3 input gives good results; 128kbps may introduce artefacts.
WAV — The Studio Standard
- Perfect lossless quality
- Universal DAW support
- Best for processing
- Large file size (~10MB/min)
- No metadata support
- Not compressed at all
WAV is the format used by 7By.in for all output files. It preserves every sample from the processing, giving you the highest quality result. The 7By AI Engine encodes 16-bit, 44.1kHz stereo WAV.
FLAC — Lossless with Compression
- Lossless quality
- ~50% smaller than WAV
- Supports metadata
- Less universal than WAV
- Requires decoder support
FLAC is excellent for archiving your music collection. 7By.in accepts FLAC as input — the Web Audio API decodes it natively in Chrome and Firefox.
AAC — Apple's MP3 Alternative
AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) is used by Apple Music and YouTube. At the same bitrate, AAC sounds slightly better than MP3 due to a more efficient compression algorithm. If your music came from Apple Music or an iPhone, it's likely AAC (.m4a). 7By.in accepts AAC as input.
Which Format to Use for 7By.in?
Process Your Audio Now
7By.in accepts MP3, WAV, FLAC, AAC, and OGG. Outputs lossless WAV.
Try Free →