What is an encoder?
In digital audio technology, an encoder is a program that converts an audio WAV file into an MP3 file, a highly-compressed sound file that preserves the quality of a CD recording. (The program that gets the sound selection from a CD and stores it as a WAV file on a hard drive is called a ripper.) An MP3 encoder compresses the WAV file so that it is about one-twelfth the size of the original digital sound file. The quality is maintained by an algorithm that optimizes for audio perception, losing data that will not contribute to perception. The program that plays the MP3 file is called a player. Some audio products provide all three programs together as a package.
Encoders are software programs that are used for compressing information. Often, the function of an encoder will also allow for the conversion of data from one format to another. While there are several types of programs that accomplish this for text data, the encoder is usually associated with audio and video. One of the common uses of an encoder today has to do with the conversion of audio files from an originating format to one that will match with a specific player. For example, an encoder would be used to compress and convert a WAV file into a file type that would be compatible on an MP3 player. The WAV file would be compressed to a fraction of the original size. The compression would take place without having a negative impact on the sound quality of the converted file. Maintaining sound quality while significantly reducing the size of the original file is central to how the encoder accomplishes the task. The idea is to maintain the integrity of the code while still creating the
