Tech giant is looking to fine tune hi-fi tracks on iTunes.
 Click to enlarge |
It will seek to change its current 16bit format to 24bit in a bid to attract customers who prefer studio sound quality, uncompressed tunes, according to CNN reports.
However, this high-fidelity premium service will probably require consumers to fork out more than what they pay for regular tracks.
24 bit, which is the high end format songs are recorded in, is downgrading to 16bit for CD market distribution and songs are often compressed further for online streaming services.
This could open up a whole new market for Apple and other digital music sellers, who are now seeing the potential in developing music for hi-fi lovers.
Currently, several Mac models do allow 24bit recordings although this is lacking on both iPhone and iPad’s.
American music producer Jimmy Iovine, who has worked on albums for U2, John Lennon, and Simple Minds, confirmed Apple’s change of heart.
‘We’ve gone back now at Universal, and we’re changing our pipes to 24-bit. And Apple has been great.
‘We’re working with them and other digital services – download services – to change to 24-bit.”
Last week, British rock act Radiohead released its latest album The King Of Limbs on a lossless file for a higher fee, and has been revolutionary in the download scene, previously offering its record “In Rainbows” on free download.
