AIF File Format

SG and Mac Audio Interchange File

AIF is a file extension for an Audio Interchange File format. AIF is an audio format used by Silicon Graphics and Macintosh applications.

In Windows, the extension for this file type is usually AIF. On a Mac, the file extension is not needed but when present may be AIFF. A Mac file uses a Type and Creator resource to identify itself to the operating system and the applications that can open it.

AIFF is one of the two most common audio file formats used in the Apple Macintosh operating system. The other is Sound Designer II (SDII). Most CD writers can accept AIFF or SDII files interchangeably when writing a Red Book audio CD. AIFF is sometimes referred to as "Apple Interchange File Format."

An AIF file contains the raw audio data, channel information (monophonic or stereophonic), bit depth,sample rate, and application-specific data areas. The application-specific data areas let different applications add information to the file header that remains there even if the file is opened and processed by another application.

MIME type: audio/aiff, audio/x-aiff, sound/aiff, audio/rmf, audio/x-rmf, audio/x-pn-aiff, audio/x-gsm, audio/mid, audio/x-midi, audio/vnd.qcelp

Learn more about AIFF files:

Synth Zone provides a directory of Audio Sampling and Sample Sites for AIF files as well as MP3 and other sound file formats.

Search for answers to AIF-related questions at IT Knowledge Exchange.