ape

.ape — Monkey's Audio Codec

Matthew T. Ashland · 2000

Developer

Matthew T. Ashland

Key Features

Lossless storage behavior for typical audio workflows
Common MIME type: audio/ape
Recognizable file signature: 65 6C 66 1
Associated with Matthew T. Ashland

Best For

Listening across devices
Portable sharing
Streaming-friendly audio

Less Ideal For

Multi-track session editing
Complex project packaging
Image or document workflows

Common Use Cases

Music playback
Podcasts and spoken recordings
Sharing sound files online

How to Open It

On Windows, open the file with Foobar2000 or MediaMonkey.
On macOS, open the file with VLC Media Player or Cog.
If the file does not open, confirm that the extension really matches .ape and that the download or transfer completed without corruption.

What is a .ape file?

APE, or Monkey's Audio, is a lossless audio data compression format. It is known for its high compression ratios compared to other lossless formats. APE files are primarily used for archiving audio collections without any loss of quality.

Programs That Open .ape Files

Platform	Program
Windows	Foobar2000	Free
	MediaMonkey	Free
	VLC Media Player	Free
	Monkey's Audio	Free	Official
macOS	VLC Media Player	Free
	Cog	Free
	Swinsian	Paid

Common Problems with .ape Files

⚠️ Cannot play APE files on a specific device or player.

Ensure your device or player supports the APE format or use a converter to change it to a more compatible format like MP3 or WAV.

⚠️ APE file is corrupted or won't play.

Try re-downloading the file if it was obtained online. If the file was ripped or created locally, the original source might be corrupted. Consider using audio repair tools if available.

⚠️ Large file size despite being lossless.

While APE is lossless, its compression efficiency can vary. Ensure you are not comparing it to highly compressed lossy formats. For maximum space saving with lossless, consider FLAC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is APE a lossless audio format?▼

Yes, APE (Monkey's Audio) is a lossless audio compression format. This means that when you decode an APE file, it reconstructs the audio data exactly as it was in the original, with no loss of quality.

What is the advantage of using APE files?▼

The main advantage of APE files is their high compression ratio for a lossless format, allowing you to save significant storage space while preserving perfect audio fidelity. This makes them ideal for archiving music collections.

Can I convert APE files to other formats?▼

Yes, there are many software tools available that can convert APE files to other audio formats like MP3, FLAC, WAV, and more. The Monkey's Audio software itself can also perform conversions.

Technical Details

APE files are encoded using a proprietary lossless compression algorithm developed by Matthew T. Ashland. The header typically contains metadata like artist, album, title, and track number, followed by the audio data.

Did You Know?

The name 'Monkey's Audio' was chosen playfully, implying that while the compression is good, it's not 'monkey-proof' in terms of potential data corruption, hinting at the lossless nature.

Despite being a proprietary format, APE is widely supported by many popular audio players and conversion tools due to its excellent compression efficiency for lossless audio.

Matthew T. Ashland, the creator of Monkey's Audio, initially developed it as a personal project to achieve better lossless compression than existing alternatives.

Security Information

APE files are audio files and generally do not pose a security risk. However, as with any file, avoid opening files from untrusted sources.