A CFA file contains audio data conformed to a proprietary Adobe format. It is created by Adobe software like After Effects and Premiere Pro. The file improves performance when processing audio and generating previews. However, the first audio import may be delayed due to caching.
CFA files are created when audio is imported. If an mp4 with audio is imported, it will be conformed and you can see the progress. Audio waveforms are then generated allowing waveforms to be seen in Premiere Pro. Some media does not need conforming. This can be disabled by turning off “Automatic audio waveform generation” in Preferences.
CFA files take up storage space. But when the project finishes, the file is automatically deleted. You can manually delete CFA files to free up space. They are located in “Media Cache Files” or other Adobe cache folders.
While CFA files improve performance, media players cannot open them. You need compatible programs like Adobe Premiere Pro or Photoshop Lightroom. To open a CFA file in Windows, double-click the icon. If no associated program exists, install Adobe Soundbooth. Alternatively, use file conversion software.
The CFA extension stands for Adobe Conformed Audio Format. It was developed by Adobe Systems for their Creative Suite. CFA files store multimedia cache data and are used by Mac, Windows and Adobe software. To learn more, visit the Adobe website.
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