The Waveform Audio file format is a creation of Microsoft Corporation. The WAV format is the first standard audio file with high-quality sound. It contains sounds, sound effects, voice recordings, and music tracks. The Waveform Audio file format is currently considered outdated. The main reason for its obsoletion is the fact that files of this type are characterized by a large size. The greatest advantage of WAV is sound compression without any losses. In this format, samples range from 8 to 16 bits. Waveform Audio files are used as system sounds in the Windows operating system.

wma

Windows Media Audio: a licensed file format

Windows Media Audio first appeared in 1999. This format is a development of Microsoft supported by Windows Media Player. It was created to replace the well-known MP3 format. Used when watching films on DVD players, on Nokia and Playstation mobile and portable devices. Files of the Windows Media Audio format can be compressed with and without losses. The format has a total of 4 types. As of today, it is supported by almost all hardware players.