A group of Korean computer engineers have developed what they say will revolutionise the way we listen to music, offering their new format (with the file extension .MT9) which allows control over 6 channels played in the file, bass, percussion, vocals etc.

Turn off the vocals for example and you have an instant Karaoke version of your favourite QOTSA track. Kill the drum track and thrash along yourself with an up-turned waste bin and a couple of pens. You get the idea. The concept reminds me of the old mod-tracker format, although .MT9 is actually contained in a single file.

It's hard to avoid the temptation to file this along with all the other MP3 killers that have been and forgotten (anyone remember MP4?) but if the product does what they claim, it could well be a good MP3 competitor with the right marketing. I for one like the idea a lot, as I imagine other 'sampler' musicians might.