EFA File – What is .efa file and how to open it?
EFA File Extension
Ensoniq ASR File – file format by Ensoniq
EFA (Ensoniq ASR File) is a proprietary file format used by Ensoniq’s ASR-10 sampler. It stores audio data, including samples, loops, and instruments, in a compressed format. EFA files are used to create and edit sampler instruments and can be used in various music production software.
Ensoniq ASR File (EFA)
An Ensoniq ASR File (EFA) is a proprietary audio file format developed by Ensoniq for use with its ASR-10 and ASR-X samplers. The format is a lossless audio format that can store audio data at sample rates of up to 48 kHz and bit depths of up to 24 bits. EFA files can also store metadata about the audio, such as the name of the instrument, the date it was recorded, and the engineer who recorded it.
EFA files are typically used to store samples for use in music production. However, they can also be used to store other types of audio data, such as sound effects or spoken word recordings. EFA files are compatible with a wide range of software and hardware products, making them a versatile format for storing and sharing audio data.
Opening EFA Files on Windows
To open EFA files on Windows, you will need to install a compatible software program. Several options are available, including the following:
- Ensoniq ASR-X Editor: This is the original software used to create and edit EFA files. While it is no longer supported by Ensoniq, it remains the most comprehensive tool for working with EFA files.
- Cakewalk Sonar: A professional-grade digital audio workstation that can import and export EFA files.
- FL Studio: A popular music production software that can open EFA files as audio samples.
Once you have installed the necessary software, you can open an EFA file by following these steps:
- Launch the software program.
- Click on the “File” menu.
- Select “Open” or “Import.”
- Navigate to the location of the EFA file.
- Select the file and click “Open.”
Opening EFA Files on Mac
There are limited options for opening EFA files on Mac, as the original Ensoniq ASR-X Editor software is not compatible with macOS. However, you can use a third-party converter to convert EFA files to a more widely supported format, such as WAV or AIFF. The following converters are commonly used for this purpose:
- AudioTranscoder: A free online converter that can convert EFA files to various audio formats.
- MediaHuman Audio Converter: A paid software converter that supports a wide range of audio formats, including EFA.
- FFmpeg: A command-line tool that can be used to convert EFA files to other audio formats.
Once the EFA file has been converted to a compatible format, you can open it in any audio player or editing software that supports the format.
Origins and Usage of EFA Files
EFA files, or Ensoniq ASR Files, are a proprietary audio file format created by Ensoniq, a company known for manufacturing electronic musical instruments during the 1980s and 1990s. EFA files were primarily used with the Ensoniq ASR-10 and ASR-X samplers, which were popular among musicians for their advanced synthesis capabilities and extensive sample library. These files contained digital audio data, including samples, patches, and performance settings used by the samplers.
Technical Specifications and File Structure
Technically, EFA files are uncompressed PCM audio files with a 16-bit depth and a variable sample rate. They typically include a header that contains metadata about the file, such as the sample rate, number of channels, and file length. The audio data itself is stored in a raw format, providing unprocessed and high-fidelity sound quality. However, due to their lack of compression, EFA files can be relatively large in size, especially when containing extensive sample libraries.