“Approved in a Mercedes-Benz” set to be new gold standard in song approval process

With many musicians and recording artists around the world already basing their approval of a new mix of a track on how it sounds when played in a car, Mercedes Benz, Apple Music and UMG have created a new benchmark for music production and playback quality based on the in-car audio experience.

UMG is now allowing its recording artists to base their song approval process on how the final mix sounds in a Mercedes-Benz, introducing the seal “Approved in a Mercedes-Benz” as a gold standard of sound. The new collaboration also builds on the integration of Dolby Atmos immersive audio already available in the optional Burmester high-end 4D and 3D sound systems in Mercedes-Benz models with MBUX infotainment systems.

Available natively in a non-Apple device for the first time, the integration of Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos from Apple Music makes music available in Dolby Atmos accessible to Mercedes-Benz owners. Owners who are already subscribed to Apple Music will gain immediate access to the fast-growing selection of songs and albums available in Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos.

According to a recent survey by Mercedes-Benz in cooperation with appinio, more than 76% of car drivers say that having a realistic spatial sound is either “important” or “rather important” to them.

Today, cars are among the most frequently used music devices around. While 90% of the world’s population listens to music, an average person does so for 961 hours per year. Over 70% of music consumers state they listen to music mostly in a car. While almost 72% of car drivers state that they cannot imagine a car ride without music, with two out of three saying the in-car sound quality is important or very important.

UMG is encouraging its artists and record labels to produce music mixed in Dolby Atmos immersive audio. Dolby Atmos is a surround-sound system that has surround channels coming from overhead, enveloping the audience in a dome of sound, in a 3D manner. It can also produce up to 118 simultaneous sound objects, allowing a sound designer to place each sound and voice to exact points within the sound field rather than just assigning them to a specific channel.

As part of the new agreement, Mercedes-Benz will provide UMG with vehicles equipped with the Burmester high-end sound system for creative and technical assurances. The aim is for UMG to ensure its music receives the highest quality seal “Approved in a Mercedes-Benz.”

Dolby Atmos will first be available in the Mercedes-Maybach S Class, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class as well as the EQE, EQE SUV, EQS and EQS SUV.

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