How to use the command afconvert (with examples)

afconvert is a command-line tool that allows users to convert audio files between AFF and raw file formats. It provides options to specify the file extension and compression level for the converted audio files.

Use case 1: Use a specific extension

Code:

afconvert -a extension path/to/input_file path/to/output_file1 path/to/output_file2 ...

Motivation: The motivation for using this example is to convert an audio file to a specific file format indicated by the extension. By specifying the desired extension, users can easily convert the audio file to a format compatible with different audio players or devices.

Explanation:

• -a extension: Specifies the desired file extension for the output file(s). In this case, extension refers to the specific file format, such as mp3, wav, or aac.
• path/to/input_file: Specifies the path to the input audio file that needs to be converted.
• path/to/output_file1 path/to/output_file2 ...: Specifies the paths where the converted audio file(s) will be saved. Multiple output paths can be provided, allowing users to create multiple copies or versions of the converted audio file.

Example output: If we want to convert an audio file named “input.aiff” to mp3 format and save the converted file as “output.mp3”, the command would look like this:

afconvert -a mp3 path/to/input.aiff path/to/output.mp3

Use case 2: Use a specific compression level

Code:

afconvert -X0..7 path/to/input_file path/to/output_file1 path/to/output_file2 ...

Motivation: The motivation for using this example is to control the compression level of the converted audio file(s). Different compression levels can result in varying file sizes and audio quality, allowing users to find the right balance for their specific needs.

Explanation:

• -X0..7: Specifies the desired compression level for the output file(s). The compression level ranges from 0 (lowest) to 7 (highest). Lower compression levels generally result in higher audio quality but larger file sizes, while higher compression levels reduce file sizes but may sacrifice some audio quality.
• path/to/input_file: Specifies the path to the input audio file that needs to be converted.
• path/to/output_file1 path/to/output_file2 ...: Specifies the paths where the converted audio file(s) will be saved. Multiple output paths can be provided, allowing users to create multiple copies or versions of the converted audio file.

Example output: If we want to convert an audio file named “input.wav” to a compressed AAC format with a compression level of 3 and save the converted file as “output.aac”, the command would look like this:

afconvert -X3 path/to/input.wav path/to/output.aac

Conclusion:

The command afconvert provides flexibility for converting audio files between different formats and controlling the compression level. Whether users want to convert audio files to a specific format or adjust the compression level based on their needs, afconvert makes it easy to accomplish these tasks from the command line.