Major Labels

CMX: Yet Another New Digital Album Format

Album on turntable All four major label groups are working together to create a new format for the digital album tentatively titled CMX.  Scheduled for a partial roll-out in November, the new digital format would include liner notes,  lyrics, artwork and videos along with the mp3's in a single download.

The labels apparently approached Apple about involvement in the project and were rebuffed. Now Apple is also working on its own new album format dubbed Cocktail that will apparently be tethered to a new proprietary media device.

"Apple at first told us that they were not interested, but now they have decided to do their own, in case ours catches on," a source close to the CMX project told the Times UK. “Ours will be a file that you click on, it opens and it would have a totally brand-new look, with a launch page and all the different options. When you click on it you’re not just going to get the ten tracks, you’re going to get the artwork, the video and mobile products.”

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6 Comments

  1. whats the point?
    did they do some market research around this?
    “Ours will be a file that you click on, it opens and it would have a totally brand-new look” – why? i dont think i want that.

  2. Great. Do whatever you want. Music 2.0 is about options. Some may like it…some would rather stick to single song downloads….its all good. I don’t think they are trying to replace the “single” download model…just adding an additional option…the uberfan may enjoy it. Nevertheless…bring on the options! Its no longer a one format business…we as an industry will learn that people have different wants/needs of consumption. Again…options are good.

  3. LOL, why are they trying to re-invent Flash? This is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.
    If it needs a custom player this is going to last about 5 minutes.

  4. Of course we all know why they would want to re-invent Flash…
    *drum roll*
    DRM!
    *crowd boos*

  5. Oh my, please not another format war.
    You know, it’s always the porn industry that decides these things – and they are not in the music business, so it’s somewhat likely to drag on and on.

  6. Well I think it’s about time the digital music indsutry bring back CREDITS, ARTWORK, LINER NOTES, and all that bonus stuff. It’s about time. I think it’s just sad that I just get a track names, artist, and album title if im lucky. However, not to know who produced or wrote it? It’s definitely about time. Hey 10 years ago I thought MP3 was a joke and look at it now.
    All I know there will always be a new format and there will always be the people who lag to catch on or afraid until the rest of world is finally into it. If this a format can bring back to me want I loved about buying a CD, cassette, vinyl then f**kin bring it. I want credits, artwork, liner notes, photos, bonus content back!

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