The people responsible for the MP3 file format have decided to take things a step further. MusicDNA has had a mixed response from the industry, but is this simply becuase we don't yet know enough about it?
This system has been created by Norwegian developer Dagfinn Bach, who worked on the first MP3 player in 1993. It's funded by, amongst others, German Researcher Karlheinz Brandenburg (left), who invented the MP3 format and is currently the Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology in Germany.
What we DO know, is that MusicDNA is a deluxe file format with the ability to hold up to 32GB of mixed media. This could include videos, images, song lyrics, interviews, bonus tracks, sleeve notes... you name it. The files are made to be extremely searchable, and they will dynamically update with new content every time you connect to the internet.
MusicDNA appears to also have it's own 'player' software, which includes a recommendation engine, as well as the ability to display any web content. This means that people who make music can use MusicDNA files to provide their fans with a vast array of information. Blog posts, Facebook event pages, practically anything can be included. This makes MusicDNA a potentially huge marketing tool beyond any previous formats for media release.
Being so dense in information, they will likely cost more to buy than your standard iTunes or Beatport purchase. Bach & Brandenburg are hoping that users are prepared to pay up for the extras. Some, however, are skeptical. There are those who say that iTunes, whilst not only being the worlds biggest digital music retailer, also has many of these system (although not as extensively) in place. The recommendation engine included in MusicDNA is preceeded by iTunes' "Genius" toolbar, which many feel already does a good job of reliably suggesting relevant music to its users. Cover notes, bonus tracks and videos are also things iTunes has offered for some time. So why the fuss? Are people going to stick with the old, or embrace the new?
Being so dense in information, they will likely cost more to buy than your standard iTunes or Beatport purchase. Bach & Brandenburg are hoping that users are prepared to pay up for the extras. Some, however, are skeptical. There are those who say that iTunes, whilst not only being the worlds biggest digital music retailer, also has many of these system (although not as extensively) in place. The recommendation engine included in MusicDNA is preceeded by iTunes' "Genius" toolbar, which many feel already does a good job of reliably suggesting relevant music to its users. Cover notes, bonus tracks and videos are also things iTunes has offered for some time. So why the fuss? Are people going to stick with the old, or embrace the new?
The move from iTunes to MusicDNA is much like the move from DVD to Blu-Ray. The previous format is by no means unsatisfactory, and already includes some great features. However, the newbie is a logical progression into more varied, detailed media with features galore. Stefan Kohlmeyer, who works for Bach's company 'Bach Technologies' says: "Out of a rusted old VW Beetle we are making a Ferrari... We are taking an existing idea, giving the end user a lot more and making that file much more valuable - like transforming a tiny house into a huge villa."
At current, this is the only released image showing the potential look of the MusicDNA software:
Support for the format has come in the form of small labels signing up to use the format for their releases. Typical of their aversion to changing how they work, none of the large record companies have signed up yet. Hopefully, this will change. The key to saving the business of selling music is to move forward with the digital age, and to embrace all its new changes.
A beta version is being launched this Spring, with a full roll-out expected at the end of Summer, given that everything goes to plan. Click the logo below to visit the MusicDNA website, where you can also sign up to be a part of it.
