This is a list of audio formats, used for the distribution of recordings of music and other audio information. This includes both physical media and data storage formats.

Chronological order:

• 1870s: Phonograph cylinder
• 1895: Gramophone record
• 1930s: Wire recording
• 1940s:Reel-to-reel audio tape recording, Magnetic Tape (audio)
• 1948: Vinyl record
• 1963: Compact cassette
• 1960s: 8-track
• 1969: Microcassette
• 1970s: Elcaset
• 1979: Compact Disc Digital Audio System
• 1985: AIFF
• 1987: Digital audio tape (DAT)
• 1990s: Digital Compact Cassette
• 1991: Minidisc
• 1992: WAV
• 1995: MP3
• 1996: DVD
• 1999: Windows Media Audio
• 2000: FLAC
• 2001: AAC
• 2002: Ogg Vorbis

External links

• University of San Diego article (http://ac.acusd.edu/History/recording/notes.html)
• Knowmadz.org article (http://www.knowmadz.org/library/ref/soundcap.htm)
• recording-history.org (http://www.recording-history.org/)
• TechTV article (http://www.techtv.com/audiofile/print/0,23102,3304393,00.html)