Switch Audio File Conversion Software
 | |
| Developer(s) | NCH Software |
|---|---|
| Initial release | 2003 |
| Stable release |
5.22
/ February 2018 |
| Written in | C++ |
| Operating system | Windows, Mac, Android |
| Available in | English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean |
| License | Proprietary Software |
| Website |
www |
Switch Audio File Converter Software is an audio file conversion software published by NCH Software available for Windows, Macintosh and Android Operating Systems. Top 10 Reviews considered Switch the best soft audio converter available as recently as early 2017.[1] While there are many options for audio file conversion, Switch is still considered one of the most stable and comprehensive multi format audio file converters available.[2]
History
Switch was first released in 2003 as a C++ Windows application, and was written to address the growing demand for converting audio files between formats due to a proliferation of new formats hitting the market competing with legacy formats at the time. FLAC, AAC, Ogg and other lossless formats were becoming more popular in the early 2000's, so Software such as Switch was needed to help users move audio files from one device to another and migrate old legacy audio formats into more efficient modern formats. The ability for a computer user to convert audio files becomes critical when they are unable to edit or use a particular audio file format due to limitations within their software or hardware platforms. Switch gives users the ability to convert WAV, MP3, WMA, M4A, Ogg, AVI, MID and most other audio file formats[3][4] (40+ formats supported, see charts below).
Features
Switch will convert playlists and extract audio files from DVDs and video files, normalize audio during the conversion process and will preserve music tags if the file formats support them. It also supports multi-file batch processing, and a command line mode[5] for automated file conversions. Some products available at the time of Switch's initial release only supported converting a single file in command-line mode, and Switch was designed to create a more streamlined approach to the audio format conversion process.
Users
Switch is widely used by audio enthusiasts (professionals, prosumers, and home users) and currently has over 3 million downloads through CNET.[6] Educational institutions often recommend Switch as a tool for their students that need to manipulate audio files for cross-platform utilization.[7]
Controversy
Previously, Switch and other NCH products came bundled with optional browser plugins like the Conduit[8] and Chrome toolbars, which sparked complaints from users and triggered malware warnings from AV software companies like Norton and McAffee. NCH has since removed all toolbars, browsers, and third party app offerings in all program versions released after July 2015.[9]
Audio file formats
Input
| Audio Extension | Windows | Mac | Android |
|---|---|---|---|
| .aac* (not aacPlus) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .3gp | Yes | Yes | No |
| .act/rcd/red (newer format versions not supported) | Yes | Yes | No |
| .aif/aiff/aifc | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .amr | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .ape | Yes | Yes | No |
| .au | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .asf | Yes | Yes | No |
| .avi | Yes | Yes | No |
| .caf | Yes | No | Yes |
| .cda | Yes | No | No |
| .dct | Yes | Yes | No |
| .ds2 | Yes | Yes | No |
| .dss | Yes | No | No |
| .dvf (Not all dvf recorders are supported) | Yes | No | No |
| .flac | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .flv | Yes | Yes | No |
| .gsm | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .m3u | Yes | No | Yes |
| .m4a | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .m4r | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .mid (General MIDI only) | Yes | No | No |
| .mod | Yes | Yes | No |
| .moh | Yes | Yes | No |
| .mov | Yes | Yes | No |
| .mp2 | Yes | No | No |
| .mp3 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .mpc | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .mpga (mpeg audio) | Yes | No | No |
| .mpg/mpeg | Yes | Yes | No |
| .msv (Not all msv recorders are supported) | Yes | No | No |
| .ogg | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .pls | Yes | No | Yes |
| .ra (ram, rm, rmj) | Yes | No | No |
| .raw | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .rss | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .shn | Yes | Yes | No |
| .spx | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .voc | Yes | Yes | No |
| .vox | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .wav (pcm, adpcm+, aLaw, uLaw, and others) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .wma | Yes | Yes | No |
| .wmv | Yes | Yes | No |
| .wpl | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .wv | Yes | Yes | No |
Output
| Audio Extension | Windows | Mac | Android |
|---|---|---|---|
| .aac* (not aacPlus) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .ac3 | Yes | No | No |
| .aif/aiff/aifc | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .amr | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .ape | Yes | No | No |
| .au | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .caf | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .flac | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .gsm | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .m3u | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .m4a | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .m4r | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .mov | No | No | Yes |
| .mp3 (mpeg layer 3) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .mpc | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .ogg | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .pls | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .raw | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .rss | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .spx | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .vox | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .wav (pcm, adpcm+, aLaw, uLaw, and others) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| .wma | Yes | Yes | No |
| .wpl | Yes | Yes | Yes |
See also
References
- ↑ "#1 Gold Award". www.top10reviews.com. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
- ↑ "Alternatives to Switch". alternativeto.net. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
- ↑ "Switch Supported File Formats". www.nch.com.au. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
- ↑ "Switch Supported File Formats". filehippo.com. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
- ↑ "FAQ Command Line Usage". www.nch.com.au. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
- ↑ "CNET Downloads". www.downloads.com. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
- ↑ "University at Albany" (PDF). library.albany.edu. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
- ↑ "NCH toolbars". www.shouldiremoveit.com. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
- ↑ "NCH Software Safety Guarantee". www.nch.com.au. Retrieved November 7, 2016.