Beatnik, Inc., the leading provider of structured audio software solutions for mobile devices, has confirmed its leadership in supporting open audio standards with the release of the latest version of Mobile Sound Builder - a PC based audio content development tool for authoring Mobile XMF and SP-MIDI files.

Mobile Sound Builder (MSB) is the first tool available that enables developers to create, optimise and audition mobile audio content using the very latest wireless industry standard formats, in a graphical environment designed to integrate with existing development tools and workflows. MSB includes Beatnik's mobileBAE audio engine as part of the tool (the same technology that ships in millions of handsets from Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Siemens, Samsung and others), and a facility to include handset audio characteristic profiles. This allows users to instantly hear how their compositions will sound on the target device without having to go through the laborious process of downloading files to phones.

Mobile XMF is the wireless industry's open standard rich audio file format of choice. In mid-2004 the 3GPP's Services and Systems Aspects (TSG SA) group approved Mobile XMF and Mobile DLS (a subset of the music industry standard format for Downloadable Sounds) for use in 3GPP Release 6 mobile terminals for downloadable media content and MMS services. Mobile XMF enables next generation rich audio content services to be delivered to a wide range of handsets in a standard format for optimal playback without requiring the author to customise the files for specific phones. The Mobile XMF format provides the ability to incorporate custom instrument definitions, digitised samples and MIDI sequencing data in a single file, meaning that ringtones and music clip services can utilise vocals and sampled drum loops to provide a CD quality audio experience whilst minimising download sizes. Furthermore, Java-based mobile games using Mobile XMF can incorporate sampled sound effects - such as gun shots and tyre squeals - alongside dynamic musical backing tracks.

"Mobile phone users are now experiencing the same high quality audio as they have previously enjoyed from portable music players and dedicated gaming platforms," said Jeremy Copp, chief sales officer of Beatnik. "With the launch of the latest version of Mobile Sound Builder, Beatnik is enabling audio content composers, application developers and service providers to create rich audio experiences in a format that they can be assured will be supported in all leading handsets. Beatnik has played a leading role in defining the Mobile XMF standard and in delivering handset technology that implements this functionality; Mobile Sound Builder now provides the wireless industry with the missing link that allows the full benefits of the format to be realised through audio services."

The Mobile Sound Builder application is available for download and purchase from http://www.beatnik.com/products/sound.html. Beatnik has also produced a white paper that provides Mobile XMF authoring guidelines to assist developers in producing the highest quality, interoperable audio content. The Scalable Content Authoring Guidelines can be downloaded in PDF format from http://www.beatnik.com/pdf_files/beatnik_authoring_guidelines.pdf.