Inventors of the MP3 file come up with new file which stores more, MusicDNA

Key figures behind the MP3 file have come up with a new format of file which alongside music can contain lyrics, videos, artwork and blog posts. The new format is called MusicDNA.

It has been developed by Dagfinn Bach, a Norwegian developer, who worked on the first MP3 player, back in 1993. Also on the project was Karlheinz Brandenburg, a German researcher, who is known for inventing the MP3.

Mr Bach, speaking at the Midem music conference, Mr Bach said: “We can deliver a file that is extremely searchable and can carry up to 32GB of extra information in the file itself.

“And it will be dynamically updatable so that every time the user is connected, his file will be updated.”

Mr Brandenburg adds: “I think it brings together a number of ideas that have been around for a long time.

“I remember 10 years ago, a lot of people were saying that we need to enrich the user experience, that legal access to music has to give the customers more than just music, and this is certainly one very nice way to do it.”

There are plans to release a beta version in he spring with a full launch towards the end of the summer.

While no major record labels have yet signed up to the project a British record label, Beggars Group, who have such artists as Vampire Weekend, MIA and The Strokes have signed up to use the MusicDNA file as has US label, Tommy Boy.

The MusicDNA will be larger than standard music files due to the content they can contain and are likely therefore to be more expensive to download but then you will get a lot more in the file.

The file will be in competition with Apples iTunes LP which gives added content such as bonus tracks, lyrics and video interviews.

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