How to convert WAV audio files for Core Audio playback?

Question

I'm using Core Audio / OpenAL to play CAF audio files. From Apple I know that the best file format is this:

Core Audio File Format (CAFF), mono, 16-bit @ 44,1 kHz

So I launched Soundtrack Pro 3 and saved an WAV file as an "Core Audio File" with 44,1 kH, 16-bit integer.

When I play it back, it is strongly distorted and has a horrible quality. When I play it back on the mac hitting spacebar (quicklook), the sound is perfectly fine.

What must I do that I can play my own sound files in Core Audio? Is there a special tool from Apple that would convert the sound files in such a way that they're instantly playable with Core Audio?

Answer 1

From the Apple documentation:

 afconvert -f caff -d LEI16 something.m4a something.caf