Free online AU to SND converter

Source format: AU

AU is an older audio file format originally associated with Sun Microsystems and early Unix systems. It is commonly found in legacy software, archived audio collections, and some technical or educational environments. AU files may contain uncompressed PCM audio or simple compressed audio, and they are often used for short sound clips, system sounds, and compatibility with older Unix-based tools.

Target format: SND

SND is a broad audio container name used by several older sound file variants, especially on classic Mac OS and some legacy systems. Depending on the specific SND flavor, it may store audio data in a format that is convenient for older applications and hardware. The main advantage of SND is legacy compatibility with software that expects this older sound container. It is typically used when exchanging audio with older systems, archived media, or specialized applications that require SND support.

How to perform the conversion

The most reliable way to convert AU to SND is with a desktop audio tool that can read AU and export to the specific SND variant you need. Audacity is a practical choice for many cases, while command-line tools such as FFmpeg may work if your target SND type is supported by your build and workflow.

1. Open the AU file in your audio editor or converter.
2. Check the audio properties such as sample rate, channels, and bit depth.
3. Choose File → Export or File → Save As, depending on the program.
4. Select SND if it is available in the format list.
5. If the program asks for codec or encoding settings, keep them compatible with the destination system.
6. Save the converted file with a .snd extension.

If you prefer a command-line workflow and your tool supports the needed SND output, the process is typically similar to ffmpeg -i input.au output.snd. However, support for SND output can vary, so verify the resulting file in the target application.

You can also convert the file on 101convert.com for free, without installing any software.

Notes on quality and compatibility

The biggest limitation in this conversion is that SND is not a single universal standard. Different systems and applications may expect different SND variants, so a file that works in one program may not open correctly in another. For that reason, it is important to confirm the exact SND type required by the destination software.

Audio quality is usually preserved if the conversion is lossless or if both formats use the same PCM settings. If re-encoding is required, quality may change depending on the codec and sample rate chosen. To avoid problems, match the original AU file’s audio parameters as closely as possible and test the output in the intended player or editor.