Reference
Audio Formats
Audio and MIDI file formats. What you can import on each platform, export options (WAV, AIFF, FLAC, sample rate, bit depth) and how recordings are stored.
Import audio
| Format | File extensions | macOS | Windows | Linux | iPad |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAV | .wav, .bwf | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AIFF | .aiff, .aif | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| FLAC | .flac | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ogg Vorbis | .ogg | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MP3 | .mp3 | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| M4A (AAC or Apple Lossless) | .m4a | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Windows Media Audio | .wma | No | Yes | No | No |
| Other formats that Core Audio reads | Various | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| How to import | Drag files onto a track in the Arrangement. You can also use Edit → Paste Audio from Clipboard. See Import audio and MIDI. |
| Which track | Audio goes only onto an audio track. MIDI files go only onto a MIDI track. |
| Sample rate | Imported audio is converted to the sample rate that the app runs at. |
| Tempo | If the file has ACID tempo information, the clip is fitted to the song tempo. Other files keep their own length. |
Export audio
Choose File → Export Audio… (⇧⌘E, or Ctrl+Shift+E on Windows and Linux). For the steps, see Export.
| Setting | Options | Default |
|---|---|---|
| EXPORT RANGE | Mix, Stems, Clips | Mix |
| AUDIO FORMAT | WAV, AIFF, FLAC | WAV |
| Sample rate | 44,100 Hz, 48,000 Hz, 88,200 Hz, 96,000 Hz | 48,000 Hz |
| Bit depth | 16, 24, 32 | 24 |
| Normalize audio | On, Off. Mix only. | Off |
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Mix | One file of the whole song, as you hear it through Master, without the metronome. |
| Stems | One file for each track. A stem is dry: the clip audio at the track volume, with no effects, automation, sends or Master processing. |
| Clips | One file for each clip. |
| FLAC bit depth | 16 or 24 bit only. If 32 is selected when you choose FLAC, it changes to 24. |
| 32-bit files | A 32-bit WAV file is floating point. A 32-bit AIFF file is integer. |
| Normalize audio | Raises or lowers the mix so that its loudest peak is just under full scale (−0.1 dBFS). |
To record a whole show, record it in the app, then export the Mix.
Sample rates
| What | Sample rate |
|---|---|
| Playback and recording | The rate in Settings → Audio → Sample rate. Your device decides which rates you can choose, often 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96 kHz. See Settings → Audio. |
| Recordings in your project | Saved as 24-bit WAV files, at the rate the app runs at. |
| Imported audio | Converted to the rate the app runs at. |
| Exported audio | The rate you choose in the export dialog. |
MIDI files
| Action | How | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Import | File → Import MIDI…, or drag a .mid or .midi file onto a MIDI track | All the tracks in the file are merged into one clip. File → Import MIDI… puts the clip on the first MIDI track of the song. Only notes are imported. Files that use SMPTE time are not supported. |
| Export | File → Export MIDI… | Saves a type 1 .mid file with one track for each recorded MIDI clip. It includes the song tempo and time signature, at 960 ticks per quarter note. |
For what MIDI recording keeps, see MIDI implementation → MIDI recording.
MIDI Implementation
MIDI reference. Mapping targets, Learn (CC, Note, Program Change), profiles, foot controller templates, MIDI clock in and out, recording and monitor.
Troubleshooting
Fixes by symptom for install and startup, sign-in and license, no sound or silent recordings, MIDI, Cloud Sync, crashes and how to get help.