Metadata for Audio
EBU
EBU has published several specification on metadata for audio in the Tech 3285 series (BWF AND WAVE formats).
The Broadcast Wave Format (BWF) is a file format for audio data. It can be used for the seamless exchange of audio material between (i) different broadcast environments and (ii) equipment based on different computer platforms.
As well as the audio data, a BWF file contains the minimum information or metadata that is considered necessary for all broadcast applications. The Broadcast Wave Format is based on the Microsoft WAVE audio file format. The EBU has added a Broadcast Audio Extension chunk to the basic WAVE format.
Tech 3285-s5 (BWF-chunk) provides a standard definition of a type of data container for a BWF file: the <axml> chunk for storing and transferring metadata as XML.
Tech 3352 specifies a mechanism to insert identifiers in BWF chunks using EBUCore metadata. The specification was originally developped for ISRC but can be used for other identifiers.
Experts from the MIM-MM and FAR-BWF strategic programmes are working on a new advanced model for audio. Collaboration and liaison has been established with ITU, SMPTE, IMF, AES, etc.
AES (Audio Engineering Society)
The EBU and AES have jointly developed a technical specification for AES’ “ Administrative Metadata for Audio Objects - Part II: Audio Object Metadata Schema” build on EBUCore (Tech 3293). This has now been published as AES.60.
AES60 is regularly updated to match the latest version of EBUCore incl the EBU Audio data Model (ADM).