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The following standards and information documents are published by the Audio Engineering Society. The latest printing will include all amendments and corrections and will be available within a week of its date.

PLEASE NOTE: These are copyrighted documents and are for the use of the original purchaser only. They must not be printed or circulated without the written permission of the AES Standards Committee. Any other use of AES standards information obtained from this website, including republishing or selling, is expressly forbidden.

PREVIEW extracts are provided without charge as a guide to the content of each standard.

For links to other standards organizations relevant to audio engineering, click here. For questions, please contact the AES Standards Secretary.

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AES22-1997 (s2012): AES recommended practice for audio preservation and restoration - Storage and handling -- Storage of polyester-base magnetic tape
Printing Date:
2009-02-16
Publication History:
Pub. 1997; Reaffirmed 2003; Reaffirmed 2008; Stabilized 2012.
Abstract:
This standard provides recommendations concerning the storage conditions, storage facilities, enclosures, and inspection for recorded polyester-base magnetic tapes in roll form. It covers analog and digital tape and includes tape made for audio, video, instrumentation, and computer use. (22 pages)
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AES20-1996 (s2008): AES recommended practice for professional audio - Subjective evaluation of loudspeakers
Printing Date:
2008-02-19
Publication History:
Pub. 1996; reaffirmed 2002; reaffirmed 2007; Stabilized 2008-09-22
Abstract:
This Standard is a set of recommendations for subjective evaluation of high-performance loudspeaker systems. It is believed that, for certain audio components including loudspeakers, subjective evaluation is a necessary adjunct to objective measurements. The strong influence of listening conditions, program material and of individual evaluators is recognized. This document seeks, therefore, to assist in avoiding testing errors rather than to attempt to establish a correct procedure. (21 pages)
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AES19-1992 (w2003): AES-ALMA standard test method for audio engineering -- Measurement of the lowest resonance frequency of loudspeaker cones. (Withdrawn: 2003)
Printing Date:
1999-03-05
Publication History:
Pub. 1992 \nWithdrawn: 2003
Abstract:
This standard test method is intended to determine the frequency of lowest resonance of a loudspeaker cone. Such information is used for engineering design and for quality control. The method has been developed to improve correlation of measurement between cone manufacturers and loudspeaker manufacturers.
Note: this standard, although withdrawn as an AES document, will continue to be maintained by ALMA International. The ANSI version is also withdrawn. It had been available as S4.30-1992
(7 pages)
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AES18-1996 (s2019): AES Recommended practice for digital audio engineering - Format for the user data channel of the AES digital audio interface. (revision of AES18-1992)
Printing Date:
2019-08-24
Publication History:
Pub. 1992; Reaffirmed 1996; Reaffirmed 2002; Stabilized 2008-09-22, Revised & Stabilized 2019
Abstract:
This Standard describes a method of formatting the user data channels provided within the digital audio serial interface format (AES3). The transmission format is an adaptation of the packet-based high-level data link control (HDLC) communications protocol and provides for the transmission of ancillary data that may or may not be time related to the audio signal. The data rate is constant within a range of +- 12.5 percent of a sampling frequency of 48 kHz. The standard also provides a data priority and management strategy to ensure that adequate capacity is available for downstream data insertion. (45 pages)
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AES17-2020: AES standard method for digital audio engineering - Measurement of digital audio equipment
Printing Date:
2020-11-21
Publication History:
Pub. 1991; Revised 1996; Revised 1998; reaffirmed 2004; Reaffirmed 2009, Revised 2015; Revised 2020
Abstract:
This standard provides methods for specifying and verifying the performance of digital audio equipment. Many tests are substantially identical to those used when testing analog equipment. However, because of the unique requirements of digital audio equipment and the effects of its imperfections, additional tests are necessary.
This edition clarifies the definition of levels, the units FS and dBFS.
(39 pages)
File type and size:
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AES15-1991 (w2002): AES Recommended Practice for Sound-reinforcement systems -- Communications interface (PA-422) (Withdrawn: 2002)
Printing Date:
2000-03-15
Publication History:
Pub. 1991; \nWithdrawn 2002
Abstract:
This Audio Engineering Society (AES) Standard specifies the electrical characteristics of a balanced-voltage circuit for the interchange of serial binary signals for the control of sound-reinforcement systems. It provides for interchange among data terminal equipment (DTE), that is, computers and microprocessors, and data circuit terminating equipment (DCE). PA-422 is a mnemonic, signifying professional audio implementation of Electronics Industries Association EIA-422-A. Device control language is provided in an annex. [Current printing includes all device control coding additions to date.]
An ANSI version available as S4.49-1991 has been withdrawn.
(22 pages)
File type and size:
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AES14-1992 (s2014): AES standard for professional audio equipment - Application of connectors, part 1, XLR-type polarity and gender
Printing Date:
2014-07-29
Publication History:
Pub. 1992; Reaffirmed 1998; Reaffirmed 2004; Reaffirmed 2009; Reprinted 2012, Reaffirmed 2014, Stabilized 2014
Abstract:
This Audio Engineering Society (AES) standard specifies a common scheme for wiring the connectors used in audio systems, particularly to avoid the inversion of absolute polarity among the items in the analog signal chain.
The ANSI version is withdrawn. It had been available as S4.48-1992
(8 pages)
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AES11-2020: AES recommended practice for digital audio engineering - Synchronization of digital audio equipment in studio operations. (Revision of AES11-2003)
Printing Date:
2020-11-27
Publication History:
Pub. 1991; Rev. 1997; Rev. 2003; Rev 2009; Addendum 2010-02-19; Reaffirmed 2014; Reaffirmed 2019; Revised 2020
Abstract:
This standard provides a systematic approach to the synchronization of digital audio signals. Recommendations are made concerning the accuracy of sample clocks as embodied in the interface signal and the use of this format as a convenient synchronization reference where signals must be rendered co-timed for digital processing. Synchronism is defined, and limits are given which take account of relevant timing uncertainties encountered in an audio studio. Includes an informative discussion of wordclock.
In this revision, the relationship with AES5 has been clarified, with tolerances specified only in AES11 and nomenclature for multiple rates only in AES5. The subclause on video referencing (4.5) and Annex B (Word Clock) have been revised to more accurately reflect the current situation in the field. Annex D has been added.
(19 pages)
File type and size:
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AES10-2020: AES Recommended Practice for Digital Audio Engineering - Serial Multichannel Audio Digital Interface (MADI)
Printing Date:
2020-11-27
Publication History:
Pub. 1991; Revised 2003; Revised 2008; Addendum 2010-02-19; Reaffirmed 2014; Reaffirmed 2019; Revised 2020
Abstract:
This standard describes the data organization for a multichannel audio digital interface. It includes a bit-level description, features in common with the AES3 two-channel format, and the data rates required for its utilization. The specification provides for the serial digital transmission of 32, 56, or 64 channels of linearly represented digital audio data at a common sampling frequency within the range 32 kHz to 96 kHz, having a resolution of up to 24 bits per channel. The format makes possible the transmission and reception of the complete 28-bit channel word (excluding preamble) as specified in AES3, providing for the validity, user, channel status, and parity information allowable under that standard. The transmission format is of the asynchronous simplex type and is specified for a single 75-ohm coaxial cable point-to-point interconnection or the use of fibre-optic cables.
This revision includes minor changes to conform to recent revisions of AES3 and AES5 and provides clarifications of sync reference signals and link transmission-rate tolerance, and references for 'NRZI' and the 4B5B coding scheme.
(18 pages)
File type and size:
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AES7-2000 (s2012): AES standard for the preservation and restoration of audio recording - Method of measuring recorded fluxivity of magnetic sound records at medium wavelengths (Revision of AES7-1982)
Printing Date:
2004-10-14
Publication History:
Pub. 1982; Reaffirmed 1997; Rev. 2000; Reaffirmed 2005; Stabilized 2012.
Abstract:
This standard specifies a method of measuring the recorded flux per unit track width, called fluxivity, of a magnetically recorded sinusoidal test signal at medium wavelengths for all magnetic sound record formats, by using a high-efficiency magnetic reproducing head. It also specifies the equipment needed to implement this method.
The ANSI version is withdrawn. It had been available as S4.6-1982
(13 pages)
File type and size:
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