# .alb Format Specification ### Version 0.1 --- ## Overview The `.alb` format is an open container format for distributing albums as a single self-contained file. It is designed to preserve the album as an intentional artistic unit: audio, artwork, liner notes, and metadata together, in a way that is portable, permanent, and platform-independent. An `.alb` file is a renamed ZIP archive. Any tool that can open a ZIP can inspect its contents. No proprietary compression. No DRM. No encoding lock-in. The format is released into the public domain. Anyone may implement, extend, or build tooling around `.alb` without restriction or permission. --- ## File Structure ``` myalbum.alb ├── album.json : required, metadata and track manifest ├── audio/ │ ├── 01-track.mp3 : required, audio files prefixed with track number │ ├── 02-track.mp3 │ └── ... ├── artwork/ │ ├── cover.jpg ← required: front cover, minimum 1400x1400px │ ├── back.jpg : optional │ └── ... : optional: insert scans, photos, etc. └── docs/ ├── liner-notes.pdf : optional but encouraged └── ... : optional: lyrics sheet, credits, booklet pages ``` --- ## album.json Schema ```json { "format": "alb", "version": "0.1", "album": { "title": "Album Title", "artist": "Artist Name", "label": "Label Name", "catalog_number": "LABEL-001", "release_year": 2025, "genre": ["Indie Rock"], "cover": "artwork/cover.jpg" }, "tracks": [ { "number": 1, "title": "Track Title", "file": "audio/01-track-title.mp3", "duration_seconds": 214, "credits": "Written by Artist Name. Produced by Producer Name.", "lyrics": "Optional lyrics text.\nLine breaks preserved." } ], "credits": { "produced_by": "Producer Name", "recorded_at": "Studio Name, City", "recorded_year": 2025, "mixed_by": "Name", "mastered_by": "Name", "artwork_by": "Name", "additional": "Any freeform credits text." }, "links": { "label_url": "https://yourlabel.com", "forum_url": "https://yourlabel.com/forum/albums/label-001", "purchase_url": "https://yourlabel.com/albums/album-title" } } ``` All fields except `format`, `version`, `album.title`, and `tracks` are optional. Fields not defined in this spec version should be ignored by compliant players rather than causing errors. --- ## Metadata Authority The `album.json` file is the authoritative source of all metadata for an `.alb` release. Embedded file metadata (ID3 tags, Vorbis comments, EXIF data, or any other format-level tags) is ignored by compliant players. This ensures consistency across all tracks and all players, regardless of how the source audio files were tagged. This means `.alb` files can be built from untagged or incorrectly tagged audio files without issue. The maker defines the record. The files are the payload. --- ## Audio File Requirements - **Accepted formats:** MP3 (minimum 320kbps), WAV, FLAC, AIFF, M4A, OGG - **Naming convention:** `[zero-padded-number]-[slug].ext`, e.g. `01-opening-track.mp3` - **Track numbers:** Zero-padded for proper alphabetical sorting: `01`, `02`, not `1`, `2` - **Multiple formats:** A future spec version may define a `/audio/lossless/` subdirectory for including both a compressed and lossless version of each track. --- ## Artwork Requirements - `cover.jpg` is required. Minimum 1400x1400px. JPEG or PNG accepted. - Additional image files may be included in `artwork/` and referenced in `album.json` or displayed at the player's discretion. --- ## Docs Directory The `docs/` directory is freeform. Suggested contents: - `liner-notes.pdf`: full liner notes as designed - `lyrics.pdf`: lyrics sheet, if not embedded per-track in the JSON - Additional PDFs, plain text files, or images at the artist's discretion A compliant player should make any file in `docs/` accessible to the listener. --- ## Player Compliance A compliant `.alb` player must: - Open `.alb` files locally without requiring network access - Parse `album.json` and construct the track listing from it - Play audio files in declared order with standard transport controls (play, pause, skip, seek) - Display cover artwork - Display per-track credits and lyrics if present in the JSON - Make files in the `docs/` directory accessible to the listener A compliant `.alb` player must not: - Require an account or authentication to open a local file - Require internet access to play a file - Modify the contents of an `.alb` file during playback - Read or apply embedded audio file metadata in preference to `album.json` --- ## Extensibility Fields not defined in this spec should be ignored gracefully. Future versions of this spec may add: - `/video/`: optional music video or short film - `/stems/`: isolated stems for remix or archival use - Purchase token support for unlocking bonus content - Cryptographic signatures for verifying release authenticity --- ## Reference Implementation The reference player and maker are available at: - **ALB Player**: opens and plays `.alb` files in the browser - **ALB Maker**: packages audio, artwork, and liner notes into a `.alb` file Both are open source, browser-based, and require no installation. Source and downloads at [github.com/quiettheory/alb](https://github.com/quiettheory/alb). --- ## File Extension Notes The `.alb` extension may conflict with other software on some operating systems. Players should register the extension at install time using standard OS mechanisms. A future spec update will include platform-specific file association guidance for macOS, Windows, and Linux. --- ## License This specification is released into the public domain under the [Creative Commons Zero (CC0)](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) dedication. No rights reserved. --- Version 0.1. Published 2026. Originated by Quiet Theory Records. Feedback and contributions welcome at [forum.quiettheory.com](https://forum.quiettheory.com).