Step 1: Submit your AIFF files using the button above or by pull and release.
Step 2: Click the 'Transform' button to start the transformation.
Step 3: Save your converted AC3 files.
AIFF to AC3 Transformation FAQ
What bitrate does the AC3 file use?
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A lossy AC3 is encoded at 192 kbps by default. The Audio Quality setting also offers 320 kbps for the best quality and 128 kbps for a smaller file. A lossless AC3 (WAV, FLAC) ignores the bitrate and keeps every sample.
Will going from AIFF to AC3 reduce my audio quality?
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If AIFF is lossy and AC3 is lossless (e.g. MP3 → WAV), the AC3 file is no better than the AIFF — you can't recover information that's already been thrown away. If AIFF is lossless and AC3 is lossy, expect the AC3 codec to recompress; at 192 kbps this is transparent for most content.
Can I batch convert hundreds of AIFF files to AC3?
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Several files in one job need a paid plan. Free use is one file per conversion, one conversion an hour. On a paid plan you can add several files to one job, then download each result on its own or all of them in one ZIP.
Will the AC3 keep the same sample rate as AIFF?
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By default yes (48 kHz AIFF → 48 kHz AC3). If you need to downsample for compatibility (e.g. 96 kHz → 44.1 kHz for CD burning) the advanced sample-rate option does this with high-quality resampling.
Can I normalize loudness in the AIFF to AC3 step?
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Not in this step. The converter has no loudness setting and leaves the level as it is. To even out the volume, run the finished AC3 through a Normalize tool on this site.
Will the AC3 play on my car stereo / iPod / Sonos?
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MP3 plays almost everywhere. AAC plays on Apple devices, most Android phones and Sonos. FLAC plays on Sonos and Android but not on older iPods, and WAV plays on nearly everything but makes large files. There are no device presets on this page, so choose the target format your player supports.
Is my AIFF file private during conversion?
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Yes. Uploaded AIFF files are processed on our own conversion servers, no person reviews them, and they are never shared. The upload and the converted AC3 are both deleted automatically about 24 hours after the conversion, which leaves time to download the result. See /privacy/ for the full policy.
How long does converting a 1-hour AIFF to AC3 take?
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It depends on the size and length of the file. Small documents and images are usually ready quickly. Long videos take the longest, because most video conversions re-encode every frame.
Why is the AC3 file louder / quieter than the AIFF source?
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The converter does not change the level: it has no gain or normalize setting. If you hear a difference, your player or media library is probably applying ReplayGain or its own volume levelling on playback; switch that off to hear the AC3 as it is.
Can I convert AIFF streaming downloads to AC3?
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If the AIFF download is unprotected (no DRM), yes. DRM-encrypted streaming files (Spotify, Apple Music) are encrypted at the bit level and we can't process them. Sources from Bandcamp, SoundCloud download, and personal recordings convert fine.
