Kondarte offers Studio-Quality streaming services
I'm pleased to announce that Kondarte, powered by Intellixis, is conducting preliminary testing of long-anticipated lossless audio streams using FLAC and ALAC codecs. This means we are opening the doors to deliver studio-quality music, positioning Kondarte among the top platforms for bit-for-bit CD-quality or hi-res FLAC/ALAC streaming.
From a technical perspective, we worked intensively during the beta stage of the project to ensure servicing a wide range of listening scenarios. Finally, we concluded that we have the resources to handle lossless and high-resolution audio through some of our streaming channels.
Kondarte is already known for broadcasting music with crystal-clear sound quality thanks to proprietary algorithms, and, of course, we are always finding ways to improve it. Broadcasting using lossless formats is not new to us. I was part of the beta testing team for the audio formats MP3 and A2B, the latter, a venture launched by AT&T Labs in November 1997, all this during the days of fierce rivalry over audio format dominance within big brand names.
I made my decision to go with the MP3 format when audio compression was an intrinsic task that would later revolutionize the audio and music industry. Microst showed great promise with their WMA, but the format ultimately failed due to limited consumer adoption and a bit of corporate greed. All of these occurred during the late 90s.
Enough of historical facts; now back to the announcement of lossless audio broadcasting (FLAC, ALAC). This means you will listen to a digital sound format that preserves 100% of the original recording's data. Unlike lossy formats like standard MP3 or AAC, which permanently remove high and low frequencies to reduce file size, lossless compression preserves every bit of the source audio for bit-perfect playback.
We are facing a great challenge here, as broadcasting lossless audio requires significant computer processing power during transcoding and an enormous amount of bandwidth from listeners. Also, we have to consider the specific requirements of audio peripherals to appreciate the quality benefits of lossless audio.
Kondarte is ready to stream in FLAC/ALAC on two of our stations that would benefit the most from a lossless format. Classica and Jazzyka will have a dedicated audio channel to listen to music with the best quality possible, no compression and no compromise, just PURE SOUND.
This approach to broadcasting is a niche and somewhat expensive undertaking, but that is what we have anticipated from the very beginning.
Classica has a growing collection of music in FLAC/ALAC, and we also plan to stream live performances with lossless sound quality!
Jazzyka also enjoys a large collection of music in FLAC/ALAC and probably more opportunities to stream live performances with lossless sound quality!
I want to point out that there are a few industries that can greatly benefit from using looless, and the Holist Arts comes to mind because Brainwave Entrainment, for example, loses its power when processed through an audio-compressed format such as MP3; furthermore, the use of looless audio preserves the frequency spectrum associated with the claimed healing power of holistic music. This topic might be controversial for some, but I'm at home in this industry as well, being a producer of Holistic Music and SoundScapes.
From a personal perspective, this project is a fascinating endeavor that combines music and technology and brings significant satisfaction.
I'm planning to be involved in this project as a performer, playing the guitar as a soloist and with fellow musicians, anticipating laughter, good times, camaraderie, and blasting my soul with my passion for art and technology.
