Digital audio compression

Digital audio compression reduces the file size of audio recordings by removing parts that are less noticeable to human ears, or by efficiently encoding the sound data. This process preserves the original quality as much as possible while making the file easier to store and transmit. There are two main types: lossless compression, which maintains perfect sound quality, and lossy compression, which sacrifices some detail for a smaller size. Common examples include MP3 and AAC formats. Compression helps make music, podcasts, and other audio content more accessible across devices and internet streaming.