What is a .AU file?
The .AU file extension refers to an audio file format primarily associated with Sun Microsystems. It is a sound file format used to store audio data. The .AU format was originally developed for use on Sun or other UNIX-based systems, but it can also be played or edited on various audio software across different platforms.
**Description of .AU Files:** An .AU file is a digital audio file saved in the AU format, which is a simple audio format introduced by Sun Microsystems. The content of an AU file includes a header (for storing information like audio encoding, sample rate, and file length) followed by the actual audio data. This format is widely recognized for its simplicity and compatibility with various audio software.
**Programs that can open .AU files:** - **Audacity:** This is a popular, free, open-source audio editing software that can open and edit AU files. It is available for multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux. - **VLC Media Player:** VLC is a versatile media player that supports a wide range of audio and video formats, including AU files. It is available for free and can be used on various platforms. - **Windows Media Player:** Available on Windows operating systems, this player can open AU files if the necessary codecs are installed. - **QuickTime Player:** Apple’s media player, QuickTime, can also play AU files on macOS systems.
**More Information:** When dealing with AU files in audio editing software like Audacity, you can import them directly into your projects. These files can be manipulated, edited, and combined with other audio tracks within the software. After editing, you can export the project into more common audio formats such as MP3, WAV, or M4A, which are more widely supported by general media players.
**Note:** It is important to distinguish between the AU files used in Audacity projects and those typically associated with Sun Microsystems. In older versions of Audacity, AU files were used internally to manage audio data within projects (.AUP files). However, from version 3.0 onwards, Audacity has shifted to using a single .AUP3 file format for project files, moving away from using separate AU files within a project folder. This change simplifies file management and project portability.
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