WavPack is a completely open audio compression format providing lossless, high-quality lossy, and a unique hybrid compression mode. Although the technology is loosely based on previous versions of WavPack, the new version 4 format has been designed from the ground up to offer unparalleled performance and functionality.

In the default lossless mode WavPack acts just like a WinZip compressor for audio files. However, unlike MP3 or WMA encoding which can affect the sound quality, not a single bit of the original information is lost, so there's no chance of degradation. This makes lossless mode ideal for archiving audio material or any other situation where quality is paramount. The compression ratio depends on the source material, but generally is between 30% and 70%.

The hybrid mode provides all the advantages of lossless compression with an additional bonus. Instead of creating a single file, this mode creates both a relatively small, high-quality lossy file that can be used all by itself, and a "correction" file that (when combined with the lossy file) provides full lossless restoration. For some users this means never having to choose between lossless and lossy compression!

WavPack employs only well known, public domain techniques (i.e., linear prediction with LMS adaptation, Elias and Golomb codes) in its implementation. Methods and algorithms that have ever been patented (e.g., arithmetic coding, LZW compression) are specifically avoided. This ensures that WavPack encoders and decoders will remain open and royalty-free.

WavPack 4.41 features include:

• Compatible with virtually all PCM audio formats including 8, 16, 24, and 32-bit ints; 32-bit floats; mono, stereo, and multichannel; sampling rates from 6 to 192 kHz (and non-standard rates)
• Multiplatform support including Windows, Linux, and OS X
• Instantly seekable and streaming capable (and gapless)
• ReplayGain (including WavPack file scanner and compatible plugins)
• Uses ID3v1 and APEv2 tags for metadata (including ReplayGain)
• Error-tolerant block format conducive to hardware decoding
• Optional "asymmetrical" mode for improved compression
• MD5 audio checksums for verification and identification
• Unique hybrid mode (provides high quality lossy + "correction" file
• Hybrid mode now operates as low as 2.25 bits/sample (or 196 kbps for CD audio)
• Free and open source with easy to use library interface and unrestrictive license (BSD)
• Intuitive command line interface (with wildcards and destination directory)
• Small, efficient executable (no large programs or dlls to install)
• Special "low latancy" version available for custom applications
• Self-extracting archives with cuesheets (Windows only)
• Fully backward compatible to WavPack 1.0
• Java decoder now available
• Complete piping support

WavPack has been tested and works well with the following quality Windows software:

• Custom Windows Frontend (by Speek)
• DirectShow filter to allow WavPack playback in WMP, MPC, etc.
• WPMTSE Tag Support Extender allows WMP 9+ to use WavPack file tags
• CheckWavpackFiles to batch verify WavPack files/folders (by gl.tter)
• NullSoft Winamp (plugin available here, w/ ReplayGain & Media Library)
• Foobar2000 Advanced Audio Player (official addon, w/ ReplayGain & Cuesheets)
• Adobe Audition (and CoolEdit) (filter available here, w/ 32-bit floats & extra info save)
• dBpowerAMP Music Converter / Audio Player / CD Writer (official addon)
• Steinberg WaveLab 5/6 Audio Editor (using third-party plugin)
• Apollo Audio Player (plugin available here, w/ ReplayGain)
• Ahead Nero Burning Rom (plugin available here)
• Reaper Multitrack Audio Recorder and Editor
• Burrrn audio CD burning application
• Mp3tag Universal Tag Editor
• VUPlayer Audio Player
• jetAudio Media Player
• Easy CD-DA Extractor
• EAC CD Ripper

WavPack is also making its way into Linux and MAC territory. Several Linux distributions now have pre-compiled WavPack packages available and there is a working GStreamer plugin and WavPack support has been added to the FFmpeg project and to xine-lib. In addition, these programs now support Wavpack:

• Aqualung - A gapless music player that has an XML-based music DB (native WavPack support)
• Audacious Media Player - A new player based on BMP (native WavPack support)
• Quod Libet - A GTK+-based audio player written in Python (using the GStreamer plugin)
• LAMIP - Linux Audio Multiple Interface Player (using an official plugin)
• XMMS (beta version plugin available here)
• EasyTAG - Tag Editor for both Linux and Windows (native WavPack support)
• Cog - Audio Player for Mac OS X (native WavPack support)
• Max - Audio Format Converter for Mac OS X (native WavPack support)
• Tag - Metadata editor for Mac OS X (native WavPack support)

For more information about compatible software check out the links page.

Yes! Hardware support for WavPack is starting to appear:

• iRiver H10/H1xx/H3xx Jukeboxes, certain Apple iPod and Toshiba Gigabeat models, and the iAudio X5 (all using Rockbox firmware)
• Roku PhotoBridge HD (plugin available on download page)
• The Cowon A3 PMP (pic) is the first PMP to offer native WavPack playback right out of the box! The support is very complete, including playback of IEEE float files and even legacy WavPack files back to 1.0! The A3 is very full featured in other respects, including an amazing 800 x 480 4" LCD display, HD component output, and video recording. Click the banner to see and read more:

• The Slim Devices Squeezebox and Transporter now play WavPack via the 7.0 version of their SqueezeCenter server software. This support includes legacy WavPack files, 16 and 24-bit resolutions, sampling rates up to 96 kHz, and full use of cuesheets and ReplayGain information. These units from Slim Devices make it easy to access your entire WavPack collection from anywhere in your house, and they sound great and are sexy to look at as well. Many thanks to Peter McQuillan for his invaluable help with this! Click the banner to see and read more:

For more information about compatible hardware check out the links page.

WavPack is free software, but if you find WavPack useful please consider making a donation to help support past and future development. Any amount is appreciated and this link to PayPal makes it safe and easy...