What is a .AA3 file?
An AA3 file is a type of audio file that uses Sony's ATRAC compression technology to make the file size smaller while keeping the sound quality similar to that of a CD. ATRAC stands for Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding. This technology was developed by Sony and first used in 1992, primarily for the MiniDisc format, which was intended to be a replacement for cassette tapes. However, CDs became more popular, and MiniDisc did not catch on widely outside of some specific Sony devices like the Walkman.
The AA3 file does not have any built-in copy protection or digital rights management (DRM), which means it doesn't have restrictions on copying or playing on different devices. Although Sony stopped developing ATRAC in 2008, you can still play AA3 files on several audio software programs.
To open an AA3 file, you can use programs like File Viewer Plus, which is available from the Microsoft store, or other specialized audio software like MAGIX Sound Forge Pro 17, MAGIX VEGAS Pro 21, MAGIX ACID Pro 11, Sony ACID Xpress, and MAGIX ACID Music Studio 11. It's important to note that Sony SonicStage, another program that could open AA3 files, has been discontinued.
In addition to the AA3 format, audio files compressed with ATRAC might also be saved with the .oma or .omg file extensions when they are in the OpenMG Audio container format. Another related format is the .AT3 file, which uses the ATRAC3 codec, a version of the ATRAC technology.
Overall, while the technology is no longer actively developed, existing files in the AA3 format can still be accessed and used with compatible software.
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