Free online AU to BWF converter
AU audio can be converted to BWF for broadcast workflows and metadata support.
Convert AU to BWF online - free
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How to convert au to bwf file
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Source format: AU
AU is a simple audio file format originally associated with Sun Microsystems and early Unix systems. It is often used for short sound clips, legacy software audio, and basic uncompressed or lightly compressed audio storage. AU files may contain different encodings, but they are generally considered an older format and are most commonly encountered in archival material, classic Unix environments, or older multimedia applications.
Target format: BWF
BWF stands for Broadcast Wave Format, a professional extension of the WAV format used in broadcast, film, TV, and audio post-production. Its main advantage is support for metadata such as time reference, originator information, and production notes, while remaining broadly compatible with standard WAV tools. BWF is widely used when audio needs to be exchanged between editing systems and archived with technical metadata intact.
How to perform the conversion
The most reliable way to convert AU to BWF is with FFmpeg, because it supports both formats and gives you control over the output encoding. Since BWF is essentially a WAV file with broadcast metadata support, the conversion is usually straightforward.
- Install FFmpeg on your computer if it is not already available.
- Open a terminal or command prompt in the folder containing your AU file.
- Run a command such as
ffmpeg -i input.au -c:a pcm_s16le output.bwf. - If you need a different sample format, you can choose another PCM codec supported by BWF-compatible workflows, such as
pcm_s24lefor 24-bit audio. - Verify the result by opening the output file in an audio editor or media player that supports BWF metadata.
If you prefer a graphical workflow, Audacity can open many AU files and export WAV-compatible audio, but it may not preserve or create full BWF metadata as reliably as FFmpeg. In professional workflows, FFmpeg is usually the best choice for a clean format conversion.
You can also convert the file on 101convert.com for free, without installing any software.
Notes on quality and compatibility
The conversion from AU to BWF is usually lossless if the AU source is already PCM audio and you export to a matching PCM format such as pcm_s16le. If the AU file uses a compressed or unusual encoding, FFmpeg may decode it and re-encode it to PCM for BWF output, which can change the audio characteristics if the source is not already uncompressed.
Because BWF is based on WAV, most modern audio editors and broadcast systems can open it without issue. However, some consumer players may display it simply as a WAV file and ignore the embedded metadata. Also, if your workflow depends on specific BWF fields, make sure the conversion tool actually writes them; a basic WAV export is not always the same as a fully populated broadcast wave file.
Note: This au to bwf conversion record is incomplete, must be verified, and may contain inaccuracies. Please vote below whether you found this information helpful or not.
AU vs BWF: format comparison
How the AU and BWF formats compare on the properties that matter most for this conversion.
| Property | .AU Sun/NeXT audio file | .BWF Broadcast Wave Format |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Uncompressed | Uncompressed |
| Audio quality | — | Lossless |
| Metadata support | Basic | Extensive |
| Streaming | Yes | No |
| DRM protection | No DRM | No DRM |
| Opens in a web browser | Partial | No |
| Typical file size | Large | Large |
| Open standard | Yes | Yes |
| Best used for | Speech and voice | Professional production |
| Introduced | 1988 | 1997 |
| Developer | Sun Microsystems / NeXT | European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |
| MIME type | audio/basic | audio/vnd.wave |
Frequently asked questions
Is the AU to BWF converter free?
Yes, converting AU to BWF on 101convert.com is completely free. No registration, email address or installation is required.
How large can my AU file be?
You can upload AU files up to 1000 MB and convert up to 100 files at once in a single batch.
What happens to my uploaded files?
Files are processed automatically and deleted from our servers within a few minutes after conversion. We never view or share your files.
Do I need to install any software to convert AU to BWF?
No. The AU to BWF conversion runs entirely online in your browser and works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone.
Did the conversion fail?
In most cases, the cause is an incorrect file format. Please upload a valid AU file for this AU to BWF conversion. Occasionally, the issue may be on our side. We analyze recurring conversion failures and disable or fix the converter if we detect a defect.