What is .ape File?
The .ape file is a filename extension, which is used by a file format for audio data compression specifically called Monkey’s Audio. Unlike lossy compression methods such AAC, MP3, Vorbis and Musepac, Monkey’s Audio does not lose the data during the encoding process. It belongs to the audio lossless format, which keeps the complete information of a song. It is the same as AAC, MP4 and M4A among many others. The filename extension that Monkey’s Audio files use is .ape for audio and .apl for track metadata.

Given the fact that APE files are in a lossless format, this only means that the audio sounds are actually perfect all the time and is exactly the same with that of the original. More than that, despite of this, it can still save a lot of space. Moreover, it has the ability to always be decompressed back to the exact, original file it was before.

Monkey’s Audio tries to combine the usual lossless tactics for compression such as channel coupling as well as linear prediction, along with a simple neural network. It also makes use of a range coding in order to keep the output value of its prediction step, which is of course altered in order to work perfectly with less continuous values.

The main competitor of Monkey’s Audio is FLAC. It actually offers a lot of other support and hardware support towards its advantage. On the other hand, it also has compression ability, but not as efficient with that of Monkey’s Audio.

In order to open APE file, you simply have to double click it. If no program is available to open an APE file, it only means that there is no existing application to open or edit APE files. Therefore, a right program must have been installed first before you can open an APE file.

You can do anything you like with the source code of Monkey’s Audio since we all know that it is released under a custom license. However, it is a must for you to try asking for the author’s permission.

Not all modern audio players can actually play APE files. You have to use a good audio converter if you want to transfer your PAE files to your Zune, iPod, any mobile or smart phone.

PLAYING APE FILES

For the first time, you might be somehow confused when you encounter an audio file having this ape extension primarily because it does not allow you to play using XMPlay, Winamp, and Windows Media Player. In this case, it is possible for the song will not to be loaded at all.

As compared to mp3 where there is a great loss of compression formats, in this case, no information is actually removed from the audio stream. Given this, it is definitely a major advantage. It is relying solely on music players such as XMPlay, Windows Media Player, and Winamp as to how APE files can be played. Given the fact that these 3 are actually not supporting APE files by default, there is a need for plug- ins to be added in order to have the players supported.

In the case of XMPlay, there is a need for the Monkey’s Audtio input plug- in to be downloaded first. You will then have to place the downloaded files coming from an extraction into the main XMPlay directory, since XMPlay has not yet started. The next time that you play it, the plug- in will then be able to automatically recognize from that point onwards any music in APE file format.

If possible, you have to always rely on a plug-in, specifically Monkey Audio Winamo Plugin, to add APE file support. After you have finished downloading, try to run the file and it will then install itself automatically with the right Winamp directory. After which, it is now possible for APE files to actually play normally using Winamp.

When it comes to Windows Media Player, it is essential to have the Monkey Audtio Filter downloaded first. Using the installer, it is now possible to download the filter. Eventually, you can run it and support will then be automatically added.