Question 1

How do I read and write audio files in C++ with AudioFile?

Accepted Answer

Include AudioFile.h, instantiate an AudioFile object with your desired sample type (e.g., AudioFile<double>), use load() to read a file, access samples via the buffer, and save() to write back. The README provides clear code snippets for these operations.

Question 2

AudioFile vs libsndfile: which is better for C++ audio I/O?

Accepted Answer

AudioFile is simpler and header-only, ideal for quick integration and basic WAV/AIFF tasks, while libsndfile supports more formats and advanced features but requires linking and has a steeper learning curve. Choose AudioFile for minimalism, libsndfile for broader compatibility.

Question 3

Can AudioFile handle MP3 files?

Accepted Answer

No, AudioFile only supports WAV and AIFF formats. For MP3 or other compressed formats, you'll need additional libraries like FFmpeg or a dedicated audio decoding library, as AudioFile is designed for uncompressed audio.

Question 4

How to save audio data to memory without writing to disk in AudioFile?

Accepted Answer

Use the saveToMemory() function, which writes audio data directly to a std::vector<uint8_t> for in-memory operations. This is useful for networking or processing pipelines where file I/O isn't desired, as documented in the README.

Question 5

What are the limitations of AudioFile for real-time audio?

Accepted Answer

AudioFile is not designed for real-time use; it loads entire files into memory, which can cause latency and memory issues for streaming. For real-time applications, consider libraries with streaming support like PortAudio or RT Audio.

Question 6

How to disable error logging in AudioFile?

Accepted Answer

Call audioFile.shouldLogErrorsToConsole(false) to suppress console error messages. This optional feature helps in production environments where silent failure or custom error handling is preferred, as mentioned in the README.

AudioFile

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