Vivat recordings are available for download as Studio Master, which are the highest available audio quality, as CD quality downloads, and as MP3 downloads. Studio master and CD quality are available in both FLAC and ALAC formats. We price our downloads by duration, not per track. Buying the entire album costs less than buying all the tracks separately.
Formats
1. Studio Master files in FLAC and ALAC format
These are High Definition downloads made in 24-bit and at whatever sampling frequency (44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz or 192 kHz) was used by the recording engineer at the time of recording. They are for people who want the best available audio recordings. These files are considerably larger than the size of their 16-bit 44.1 kHz equivalents and are more expensive. You should check compatibility with your equipment before downloading, and ensure your playback equipment is suited to higher bit-rates and frequencies, especially for 192 kHz files. We offer Studio Master files in both FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) and ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) format.
2. CD-quality files in FLAC and ALAC
FLAC files (Free Lossless Audio Codec) offer CD-quality (16-bit 44.1 kHz). They are more than double the size of MP3 VBR. Some media players (including iTunes and Windows Media Player) do not currently support this format, particularly on the PC platform.
ALAC files (Apple Lossless Audio Codec, suffix .m4a) are Lossless and offer full CD-quality (16-bit 44.1 kHz); the files are similar in size to FLAC (more than double the size of MP3 VBR). These Lossless files are supported by iTunes without the need for conversion.
3. MP3 — high-quality VBR, small files
Our MP3s use Variable Bit Rate (VBR) which creates files of equal audio quality to 320kBps while allowing a file size some 25% smaller; this is achieved by only using the “bits” in the MP3 that are actually required to create the highest quality MP3 possible. MP3 VBR is cross-platform and will play correctly on all but the very oldest of portable MP3 players.
4. Free samples on the website
The free, 30-second samples of tracks offered on the Vivat website are 192kbps mp3 files in order to minimise loading time. These offer the least good audio quality of all these options and do not represent the superior sound quality you will receive when buying in download or physical format.
iPads / iPhones
It is not possible to download purchases from Vivat directly onto your iPad or iPhone—this is an Apple restriction. Please download to your Mac or PC and then sync to your mobile device via iTunes in the normal way.
Booklets
Vivat downloads contain as much additional information (‘metadata’) as possible. However, not all media players can read all of this information. PDF booklets are available on this website (we are not able to post printed booklets).