We choose not to offer 48000 Hz audio files and offer 44.1 kHz instead because it’s the industry standard for most music and media projects.
The primary reasons why we don’t offer 48 kHz
Standardization: 44.1 kHz is the global standard for audio distribution and playback. Almost all streaming platforms, devices, and software default to this sample rate.
Compatibility: Even if contributors upload at 48 kHz, files are often down-sampled to 44.1 kHz for delivery, including in professional mastering workflows.
Practical quality: Without high-fidelity audio equipment, the difference between 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz is virtually impossible to hear. Most playback environments (like phones, laptops, or streaming services) won’t reproduce the distinction anyway.
Contributor behavior: The majority of the artists who contribute to the Storyblocks library don’t upload in 48 kHz, since 44.1 kHz ensures the broadest compatibility out of the box.
In short: 44.1 kHz is ready to use everywhere — whether you’re producing music, editing video, or uploading to a streaming platform.