Introducing The New Stems DJ Audio File Format

Do we need another audio file format? Maybe so if you're a DJ.

Native Instruments has announced a new multitrack file format for DJs and producers called "Stems," which breaks down song into 4 isolated stereo parts or stems. This allows DJs more control of the parts (think bass, synths, lead and backgrounds), giving them the ability to add effects on just one part of the song.

There are already a number of multitrack file formats available like the good old Broadcast Wave file, FLAC, or the new MPEG-H or multitrack Ogg (.mogg), but the Stem format has a couple of things going for it that none of the others have.

First, it comes from Native Instruments, who will be incorporating it into its popular Traktor app later in the year.

Secondly, the format will also be available for sale on the Juno, Beatport and Traxsource sites starting in June. Having store support gives the format a legitimacy that others failed to achieve.

Probably the best part of the format is that its open source and not proprietary, with all details on how to create Stem files soon to be made public. A Stem Creator Tool app will also be available.

Also, Stem files are based on the MP4 format, which means that you'll be able to treat them like MP3s in terms of ID-3 metadata editing, which is an extremely important part of music creation these days. You'll also be able to play them back on any audio player, although you won't have control of the individual elements.

The new format will carry a ".stem.mp4" file extension.

While this tool is squarely aimed at DJs, it will be interesting to see if other audio sectors come up with ideas of how to implement it as well. Maybe the days of easily being able to "create your own mix" are right around the corner.

Here's a video that explains Stems in more detail.

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Get Ready For A New Audio Format

One might say that we need another audio format like we need a hole in the head, but here's a new one that actually makes some sense. The good people at high-end Meridian Audio have come up with an interesting way to pack a lossless encode into an MP3 container.

The new format is called MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) and is backwards compatible with any player that can play a standard MP3 file. If the player has an MQA decoder, the listener can enjoy full lossless hi-resolution audio as well.

There's another part to this that's interesting. The actual music file that is being downloaded or streamed can first be authenticated by the owner (the artist or record label). If you're using Meridian's new MQA decoder hardware a little green LED will light to tell you that you're listening to an authenticated version.

It's still not clear exactly how this new format works, although the lossless part seems to unfold as either a FLAC or ALAC file so at least there's no proprietary format secretly wrapped in. Remember that Meridian was responsible for the lossless MLP format used in DVD-Audio discs, although that doesn't seem to be part of this format as far as I can tell.

Meridian feels that this format will take the music and audio world by storm, but only a few companies have officially signed on so far. Hi-res download site 7Digital and streaming service TIDAL might be the most significant, since the benefits for streaming are obvious in being able to deliver hi-res audio with less bandwidth.

The major labels also appear to enthusiastic, as the beauty is that a label won't have to issue two separate releases - one an MP3 and another hi-res so it will keep the inventory down.

So what do you think? Are we ready for a new format? Is this something that you'll think will help the music business or just another wave of the hi-res flag hoping that someone will salute?

You can find out more about MQA on Meridian's dedicated website.