MT9 -- the new way to listen to the music

[Yvon]

I did a search I haven't anything posted on talkbass about this. I think (if it work) It's a great news!

By Cho Jin-seo
Staff Reporter

If you are a serious guitar-master wannabe and you want to focus on the tune of Brian May's guitar and don't want to hear Freddie Mercury's voice and Roger Tailor drumming in Queen songs, then this may be what you have been looking for.

Korean computer engineers are introducing a new digital music format that has separate controls on the sound volume for each musical instrument, such as guitar, drum, base and voice -- an ideal tool for music lovers of different tastes as well as karaoke fans.

The new format, which has a file extension format of MT9 and a commercial title of Music 2.0, is poised to replace the popular MP3 file format as the de facto standard of the digital music source, its inventors say.

The MT9 technology was first conceived by Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) and is being shaped into commercial use by venture company Audizen. It was selected as a candidate item for the new digital music standard at a regular meeting of Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG), the international body of the digital music and video industry, held in France late April.

``We made presentations to the participants and they were all surprised to see it. They immediately voted to make it a candidate for the digital music standard,'' said Ham Seung-chul, chief of Audizen. He is expecting it will be formerly selected as an international standard in the MPEG forum's next meeting to be held in Germany June.

The distinctive feature of MT9 format is that it has a six-channel audio equalizer, with each channel dedicated to voice, chorus, piano, guitar, base and drum. For example, if a user turns off the voice channel, it becomes a karaoke player. Or one can turn off all the instruments and concentrate on the voice of the main singer as if he or she is singing a cappella.

Ham says that the music industry should change its attitude to the market as music is becoming a digital service, rather than a physical product. MT9 is the ideal fit for the next generation of music business because it can be used for multiple services and products, such as iPhones, PCs, mobile phones and karaoke bars, he says.

Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are both interested in equipping their mobile phones with an MT9 player and their first commercial products are likely to debut early next year, he said.

If selected as an international format, the MT9 technology can earn big for both Audizen and ETRI, a governmental research institute. ETRI said that it holds three international and six domestic patents for the technology and is planning to file two more this year.

The MT9 files are served in an album package. Audizen is currently selling a limited choice of albums at 2,000 won to 3,000 won on its Web site. More albums are being recorded in the format and even very old albums, such as Queen's or Deulgookhwa's, can be made into MT9 files if they have a digitally re-mastered music source, Ham said.

Unlike other digital formats exclusively used by big companies such as SK Telecom, Audizen allows users to copy the MT9 files, making it a more attractive format. ``It's like having a CD or cassette tape. Once you buy it, you can lend it to your friends. We don't want to be too fussy about DRM (digital right management),'' he said.

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news...133_24597.html

[Nyarlathotep]

It sux IMO cus you have to re-buy the album if you want it in that format. You can't just rip it off a CD you already have. "poised to replace the popular MP3 file format as the de facto standard of the digital music source" my ***.

Just my 2 cents.

Its like the new Bluray format. AFAIK sales on it are ****, and I can see why. People don't want to re-buy stuff.

[absolutasl]

Yup, I have also gone throuh mt9 site... this piece for you guys have a read.... (Source: http://www.mt9hits.com)

MT9 is a new file format being promoted in Korea as a ready replacement for the MP3 audio format.

MT9 files carry a .MT9 extension and is being marketed under the brand name Music 2.0.

The key to unlocking the MT9 format is the Music 2.0 player. It allows each track to be controlled separately, effectively allowing the end user to remix the sound tracks to his or her liking, eliminating some portions or simply highlighting others.

Fast Facts
Concept by the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
Developed by Audizen
Selected as candidate for new audio standard by the Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG)
Contains six channel audio equalizer
Dedicated channels for voice, chorus, piano, guitar, base and drum

Background
Utilizing the concept put out by the EITA, Audizen developed the new format as a possible de facto standard to replace the aging MP3 format.

The format was presented at an MPEG meeting held in France in April of 2008. At that time the format was selected as a candidate for the new standard.

Another meeting will be held in June of 2008 in Germany by the group. It is anticipated that the format will get officially selected by the group to replace the MP3 standard.

Thanks Source mt9hits
-----

So, what do you guys think..will mp3 formate die ?

[soong]

I will miss you, mp3.

[ksandvik]

Originally Posted by I Suck At Bass

I will miss you, mp3.

Yep, maybe around 2056 or shortly after. MP3 will be tough, tough, tough to replace. Companies do not switch formats unless they save money, or a huge majority of customers demand the format. --Kent

[JimmyM]

If I'm buying an album, I don't much feel like mixing it.

[ksandvik]

I have a hard time reading the specs, but based on the blurbs at this web site, I really, really hope this format will not be accepted. Just having six tracks defined is not scaleable. Furthermore, there's really a need to mark up sections along the timeline, including placing markers for tempo locations, tempo changes, chorus breakdowns, anything else interesting along the timeline and so on.

Anyone who knows how to use Ableton Live .asd files knows what I'm talking about.

I.e. this is a lame standard proposal. --Kent

[jeff schmidt]

very doubtful this will "replace" mp3, or any other digital format.

the future will have recorded music being released in several formats at the same time - for the same (or less) money.

mt9 may be among the available options (along with hi-res DVD, 24/96 wav, flac, aac, hb mp3 etc...) but the days of a single format are gone.

[Oreomeister365]

Some artists might not want their work to be analyzed and separated. If the song was intended to be listened as they want it, then they might dislike that.

[mikeypbass]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

If I'm buying an album, I don't much feel like mixing it.

+1000000

[Ramsy]

And all those mixing and mastering engineers in studios everywhere will be shaking their heads in despair at the thought of the general public screwing around with the mix of every song on their tiny little earbud headphones.

I'm cringeing at the thought now.

[absolutasl]

Friends, i too not wish to see mp3 go! click the link to vote for mp3 format... http://www.mt9hits.com

Thanks

[ksandvik]

I think this format is going for the karaoke market, especially in Asia.

Greedy record companies who want to make a sale over there will take the bait. --Kent

[phxlbrmpf]

Sounds great to me, it'll make figuring out bass lines a breeze.

Seeing as they're talking about Queen songs (and as usual forgot to mention John) I wonder if there's going to be a separate "track" for each single one of the dozens of vocal and guitar overdubs.

I'm not really sure if casual listeners will care much for this, though.

[namraj]

its probably just EQ based, and if its not, you will have 2 mix everytrack you buy so you get to hear everything, which will not work. I'm not convinced atm.

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by ksandvik

I think this format is going for the karaoke market, especially in Asia.

I agree. I don't see the allure for the typical consumer! New portable players would have to be developed and bought and I don't see that happening. Especially those folks who have invested hundreds on high capacity iPods and other brand music players!

[staindbass]

remember the magic box from the 1970's that was supposed to remove the vocals from records so you could practice singing? never really caught on. with the kickdrum in mono, and the bass in mono, i cant wait to hear how it works,lol. i think it will be like trying to get the cheese out of the lasagna after its cooked, johnny a

[Nyarlathotep]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

If I'm buying an album, I don't much feel like mixing it.

+infinity. to damn much work