Which format is best to use in a Project: AIFF, WAV, MP4, MP3? And then I mean this regarding stability of the system. Both AIFF and WAV are uncompressed but large files while MP3 and 4 are lossy but small files. I do not really hear the difference. But in general, an editing application has (sometimes not written) preferences for a format. Does it matter for MC?

Hi,

I've been working with MC for more than 10 years, and never once given any thought to what audio format would be best in terms of system stability.  Pick whatever fits your workflow and gives you the best quality.

good luck,
Carl 

I might be missing something here, but doesn't avid only work with aiff or wav anyway? I know you can import mp3s/4s, but the media created by avid on capture or import is always aiff or wav isn't it? Which means there's not much point starting with a compressed file if the media is going to end up as uncompressed anyway.

When it comes to choosing between aiff and wav; aiff is apparently more suited to powerpc architecture and wav to intel, but as far as I can see it makes no difference which you choose to go with, regardless of platform.

e2a forgot that since the advent of mxf media, we now have the option of pcm, but afaik pcm/aiff/wav are all essentially the same thing, just in a different wrapper.

butterfly:

Which format is best to use in a Project: AIFF, WAV, MP4, MP3? And then I mean this regarding stability of the system. Both AIFF and WAV are uncompressed but large files while MP3 and 4 are lossy but small files. I do not really hear the difference. But in general, an editing application has (sometimes not written) preferences for a format. Does it matter for MC?

You won't necessarily "hear" the difference, but uncompressed audio might hold up better to audio sweetening/processing, etc., imho.

MP3 audio is crap and nothing for editors, my opinion of course ....

Adman:

You won't necessarily "hear" the difference, but uncompressed audio might hold up better to audio sweetening/processing, etc., imho.

Not to mention the compression added during transmission nowadays.