Warner Music Group are the first major label to sign a deal with MQA to “significantly increase music fans’ access to hi-resolution music globally”.

Master quality audio isn’t new in itself but hi-res audio files have always taken up loads of memory, something that definitely isn’t compatible with streaming. MQA brings hi-res, master quality audio files in packages small enough to sustainably stream or download.

Now Warner Music Group (WMG) have made a world first by being the first major record label to sign a deal with the hi-resolution audio distributors. This will allows all of Warners extensive music catalogue to go through MQA to provide pristine quality tracks to their partners. So far partners are limited to a few specialist services like Onkyo, however with this deal we could see MQA files expanding to mainstream stores like Spotify and iTunes.

MQA creator, Bob Stuart said: “This collaboration is a giant step forward for MQA and music fans everywhere. We have been working tirelessly to ensure labels, studios, artists, services, and playback partners understand the potential of our technology and the responses have been overwhelming. MQA is about bringing the most authentic sound to music lovers all over the world and WMG is our first major partner to help drive this mission forward.”

master quality audio warner music
Bob Stuart, MQA creator and founder

Chairman and CEO of WMG’s Atlantic Records, Craig Kallman added: “The digital music era has been all about convenience. It is fantastic that we can listen to virtually and song, anywhere, any time. In that process, however, convenience has trumped sound quality, and we have gotten further away from the sound that artists work so hard to create. MQA makes hi-resolution music easy to stream or download to any device.

“Music fans will love it when they hear it, and WMG is thrilled to be partnering with MQA to take the next step in bringing hi-resolution music to consumers across the globe.”