MQA has announced the launch of MQA Live, which allows fans to listen to live hi-res music streams. The service launched during SXSW in Austin, with a stream of Jake Issac (shwon below) performing live from London's Rocket Studios. The invite-only audience in Austin was able to listen to the MQA stream through a variety of devices, listed the press announcement below. You can learn more at MQA Live.
From MQA
An invite-only audience in Austin experienced the debut of "MQA Live," a new way for fans to connect to musicians. Jake Isaac and his band performed from London's Rocket Studios--the first time a live performance has been streamed in real time using MQA's technology. The performance was listened to live in an Austin home on a variety of devices to re-create everyday listening environments.
MQA is launching its "Live" product to enable music fans to connect in studio quality to their favourite artists, wherever and whenever the artists are performing. Fans can listen to a live concert in its original quality, as if they were standing in the venue. MQA Live offers access to gigs across different countries and time zones for loyal fans, as well as opening up concerts to new audiences.
Mike Jbara, MQA CEO, stated, "MQA Live offers fans the authenticated sound direct from the venue, so conveniently that it can fit into their everyday lifestyle, wherever they are and however they choose to listen. The home environment in Austin, with a variety of playback devices, was a great way to experience Jake's special performance, and excited those in attendance to imagine a new age of social and appointment listening."
Jake Isaac, singer-songwriter and musician, added, "I feel really lucky to have been part of the first MQA Live experience. After the performance, the MQA team played the recording of the live stream back for me, and I was blown away with how powerful it felt."
Why audio only
MQA Live is an audio-streaming tool. Recent research shows that 95 percent of YouTube/Vevo music users listen to music without watching the video (Midia Research) and 87 percent people listen to music on radio (IFPI: Connecting With Music), supporting the fact that a high quality audio-only experience fits into the lifestyle of music fans. Incidentally, it also dramatically reduces the expenses associated with video production and broadcasting, making it something that can be offered for every show and every artist in every venue.
How it works
MQA has applied its ground-breaking technology to make a real time encoder, which connects easily to the audio system of the location and then can be sent into the chosen delivery platform of promoters and venue owners. The only additional equipment required is MQA's live encoder box at the venue to encode the performance. This keeps production costs low, while the MQA encoding process preserves audio quality and addresses bandwidth issues. MQA music will stream and play back on any device, although for optimum results and the full MQA 'unfold', use devices or software from the growing number of MQA partners.
Jake Isaac's performance was listened to 'at home' in Austin on the following devices:
• In the lounge: Bluesound Powernode 2 streamer with Sony SS-CS5 Stereo bookshelf speakers
• Outside on the deck: Macbook + Audirvana + Meridian Explorer2 DAC + Sony MDR-Z7 headphones
• In the bedroom: Bluesound Pulse Flex portable all-in-one wireless speaker
• On mobile: LG V30 handset + Oppo PM-1 headphones
• In the car: iPhone 8 + Amarra Play app + AudioQuest Dragonfly DAC
Additional Resources
• For more information, go to MQA Live.
• Why You Should Care About MQA at HomeTheaterReview.com.
