Free online RA to AU converter

RA is a RealAudio audio file format used for streaming and compressed sound, while AU is an older Sun/NeXT audio format often used for simple PCM or compressed audio data. Converting RA to AU means changing a streaming-oriented RealAudio file into a more traditional audio container that may be easier to open in legacy tools.

What is RA format

RA files are associated with RealAudio, a format designed for internet audio streaming. They often use proprietary compression and may require specific codecs or players to decode properly.

What is AU format

AU is a classic audio file format originally used on Unix systems. It commonly stores PCM audio, but can also support some compressed variants. It is simple and widely recognized by older audio software.

How to convert RA to AU

The conversion usually requires first decoding the RA audio stream and then saving it as AU. Because RA is a proprietary format, not every converter supports it directly.

1. Open the RA file in a converter that supports RealAudio decoding.
2. Choose AU as the output format.
3. Adjust audio settings if needed, such as sample rate or channels.
4. Start the conversion and save the resulting file.

Best software for conversion

The best choice is FFmpeg, because it supports many audio formats and can often decode older RealAudio files when the required codec is available. For a graphical workflow, VLC media player or Audacity may help if the RA file can be opened successfully, but FFmpeg is usually the most reliable option for batch conversion.

Example using FFmpeg

Use the command line to convert the file:

ffmpeg -i input.ra output.au

If the source file is supported, this command will decode the RealAudio stream and write it as an AU file.

Important notes

• RA support may depend on the exact codec used inside the file.
• AU output may be uncompressed or differently compressed depending on settings.
• If the file does not open, you may need an older RealAudio codec or a specialized converter.
• For best compatibility, verify the converted file in an audio player that supports AU.