Core Audio Format
AudioCAF is Apple’s Core Audio container, designed for long recordings and diverse encodings. Its suffix does not establish PCM, lossless or lossy content. Check the audio codec and production metadata such as loops/markers before exporting.
- What it is used for
- Recording, loops and audio production container
- What the file contains
- Binary data
All sections, questions and sources
Content reviewed： · Editor：Kai
Opening steps
Choose your environment or purpose to see its steps.
Menu labels and support vary by app, OS and version. Preserve the original before making changes.
Troubleshooting by symptom
- CAF-capable app fails: inspect the contained codec and app version.
- Loop mismatch: inspect beats, loop boundaries, tempo metadata and import settings.
- WAV export fails: check long-recording size and output-format limits.
- CAF fails to open: verify support for its internal codec.
- Long export fails: inspect format limits and free disk space.
- Looping lost: distinguish audio decoding from metadata preservation.
CAF → WAV / compatible audio
- Identify required audio channels and auxiliary information.
- Export separately and compare full duration, loops and tags.
- Check required markers and loops as well as the audio.
The destination may not retain every chunk/loop; file size alone does not establish quality.
Large-file support is not codec compatibility
CAF supports large recordings, but the player must also support the codec and channel layout.
Inspect source-app metadata and supported export before considering segmentation.
Source for these steps：Apple · CAF File Overview / FFmpeg · ffprobe Documentation / Audacity Team · Export formats supported by Audacity
Checks when moving a recording
Record provenance and duration and decide which editing metadata is required.
Compare complete playback, loudness and channels rather than relying only on export completion.
Source for these steps：Apple · CAF File Overview / FFmpeg · ffprobe Documentation / Audacity Team · Export formats supported by Audacity
Related-format differences
| Format | Main role | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| CAF | Audio container | Internal codec |
| WAV / RF64 | PCM/other audio container | Size/reader support |
| M4A | Audio distribution | AAC/ALAC etc. |
Handling and security
Check sound/recording licenses and avoid unauthorized cloud conversion.
Questions and answers
Always Apple Lossless?
No; it can carry various encodings.
Can I just rename to WAV?
No; export with a compatible application.
Does audio export preserve loops?
Check audio and loop metadata separately.
How should I split a long CAF?
Choose boundaries/order from output limits, retain source and check audio continuity.
What recording information should I supply?
Supply producer application, codec, rate, channels, duration and required loop metadata.
Format facts: name, steward and MIME type
- Formal name
- Core Audio Format
- Steward / specification
- Apple
- MIME type
- Depends on the producer or server; an extension alone does not establish a MIME type.
Primary and official sources
- Official documentationCAF File Overview
Explains CAF chunks, audio encodings and recording structure.
Apple · Link checked： - Project documentationffprobe Documentation
Documents inspection of containers, codecs and streams.
FFmpeg · Link checked： - Official documentationExport formats supported by Audacity
Audio export formats and settings.
Audacity Team · Link checked：