Production & assets
Uncompressed Master
An uncompressed master is the full-resolution source audio of a recording — typically WAV or AIFF at 44.1 kHz or higher — with no lossy data reduction applied. It is the file that survives further processing, and the format broadcast and cinema delivery specifications require.
In practice
MP3 and AAC discard audio data permanently. That is acceptable for a preview and unacceptable as a production source: each subsequent encode compounds the artefacts, and loudness normalisation for broadcast exposes them. Delivery specifications for television, cinema and most streaming platforms require uncompressed or lossless masters, so a project built on an MP3 download has to be reworked at the worst possible moment. Uncompressed files are also the only sensible archive format for an asset you intend to reuse for years.
How SoniBuyout® handles it
Buyout delivery includes the high-resolution master files, not a compressed preview. Since the track becomes your property, you archive the source once and reuse it for every future format without re-downloading from anyone.
Real questions
Is WAV always better than MP3?
As a production source, yes — it preserves all the data for editing, mastering and format conversion. For final delivery to the web, an encoded file made from the WAV is normal.
What sample rate should I ask for?
48 kHz / 24-bit is the standard for video and broadcast; 44.1 kHz / 16-bit is standard for music distribution. Both are acceptable as long as the file is uncompressed.
Related terms
Own the track instead of renting it
Sonify Music sells exclusive buyouts of catalogue tracks: one payment, full ownership, the track removed from sale and a named certificate of ownership.