diff --git a/lib_com/ivas_cnst.h b/lib_com/ivas_cnst.h
index 834488f6a775709c1f809ecf770dd96cce18122e..51bbe7995e64dc89ad8c69bcdeb656fee3b2b85f 100644
--- a/lib_com/ivas_cnst.h
+++ b/lib_com/ivas_cnst.h
@@ -1187,6 +1187,12 @@ enum
 
 #define MASA_BIT_REDUCT_PARAM                   10
 #define MASA_MAXIMUM_TWO_DIR_BANDS             18
+
+#ifdef NOKIA_MASA_DESCRIPTIVE_META_TRANSMISSION
+#define MASA_DESC_META_LEVEL2_BRATE             IVAS_64k
+#define MASA_DESC_META_LEVEL3_BRATE             IVAS_96k
+#endif
+
 typedef enum
 {
     MASA_STEREO_NOT_DEFINED,
diff --git a/lib_com/ivas_masa_com.c b/lib_com/ivas_masa_com.c
index e576c725b21a3d8d9ebc5f6d338fe202ee7b1f30..21fb53abe46c305c29f6ec79a8d3aff60142c27c 100644
--- a/lib_com/ivas_masa_com.c
+++ b/lib_com/ivas_masa_com.c
@@ -411,3 +411,34 @@ void masa_sample_rate_band_correction(
 
     return;
 }
+
+#ifdef NOKIA_MASA_DESCRIPTIVE_META_TRANSMISSION
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------
+ * ivas_masa_map_meta_channel_layout_to_mc_ls_setup()
+ *
+ * Maps channel layout metadata from descriptive MASA metadata to
+ * MC LS SETUP type.
+ * -------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+/*! r : multi channel loudspeaker setup */
+MC_LS_SETUP ivas_masa_map_meta_channel_layout_to_mc_ls_setup(
+    const uint8_t channelLayout /* i: Input value from descriptive metadata */
+)
+{
+    switch ( channelLayout )
+    {
+        case 0x3:
+            return MC_LS_SETUP_5_1;
+        case 0x4:
+            return MC_LS_SETUP_5_1_2;
+        case 0x5:
+            return MC_LS_SETUP_5_1_4;
+        case 0x6:
+            return MC_LS_SETUP_7_1;
+        case 0x7:
+            return MC_LS_SETUP_7_1_4;
+    }
+
+    return MC_LS_SETUP_INVALID;
+}
+#endif
diff --git a/lib_com/ivas_prot.h b/lib_com/ivas_prot.h
index 261b1d38a8113ae3b90389bd90b7b20ee274554f..17f9a008133fc4d3125c4be5f00c242fffc1d582 100755
--- a/lib_com/ivas_prot.h
+++ b/lib_com/ivas_prot.h
@@ -4562,6 +4562,13 @@ void ivas_masa_set_coding_config(
     const uint8_t isMcMasa                                      /* i  : toggle for selecting McMASA specific config     */
 );
 
+#ifdef NOKIA_MASA_DESCRIPTIVE_META_TRANSMISSION
+/*! r : multi channel loudspeaker setup */
+MC_LS_SETUP ivas_masa_map_meta_channel_layout_to_mc_ls_setup(
+    const uint8_t channelLayout                                 /* i  : Input value from descriptive metadata           */
+);
+#endif
+
 /*! r: Surround coherence significant flag */
 uint8_t ivas_masa_surrcoh_signicant(
     float surroundingCoherence[MAX_PARAM_SPATIAL_SUBFRAMES][MASA_FREQUENCY_BANDS],   /* i  : Surround coherence         */
diff --git a/lib_com/ivas_rom_com.c b/lib_com/ivas_rom_com.c
index 6677b53a9f5d3fe543f0f7722cd65a783d8c628b..4f61897a4e72df1ee355238b92a26ef248a05d80 100644
--- a/lib_com/ivas_rom_com.c
+++ b/lib_com/ivas_rom_com.c
@@ -2701,7 +2701,11 @@ const int16_t MASA_grouping_24_to_5[24] =
 /*  IVAS_13k2, IVAS_16k4, IVAS_24k4, IVAS_32k, IVAS_48k, IVAS_64k, IVAS_80k, IVAS_96k,  IVAS_128k, IVAS_160k, IVAS_192k, IVAS_256k, IVAS_384k, IVAS_512k */
 const int16_t masa_bits[IVAS_NUM_ACTIVE_BRATES] =
 {
+#ifdef NOKIA_MASA_DESCRIPTIVE_META_TRANSMISSION
+    50,          60,          70,          85,         140,        188,        228,        266,         360,         442,         538,         842,         1024,        MASA_MAX_BITS
+#else
     50,          60,          70,          85,         140,        180,        220,        256,         350,         432,         528,         832,         1024,        MASA_MAX_BITS
+#endif
 };
 
 const int16_t masa_bits_LR_stereo[4] =
diff --git a/lib_com/options.h b/lib_com/options.h
index aecaf8747a1464a0df9d4328168d334a77aeb7ff..d4adc4c710b0de01f252549bccf12cd7faf4b281 100644
--- a/lib_com/options.h
+++ b/lib_com/options.h
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@
 #define FIX_416_ISM_BR_SWITCHING                        /* FhG: add missing CLDFB reconfig to ISM BR switching */
 #define FIX_SP2A                                        /* VA: Issue 412: Adjust threshold for the S_p2a feature in the tonal detector */
 
-
+#define NOKIA_MASA_DESCRIPTIVE_META_TRANSMISSION        /* Nokia: Contribution 40: Implements transmission and use of descriptive metadata. */
 
 /* ################## End DEVELOPMENT switches ######################### */
 /* clang-format on */
diff --git a/lib_dec/ivas_masa_dec.c b/lib_dec/ivas_masa_dec.c
index 9cadbcc4fc1b3464baeb49a21d7e1a8e2bcd1132..a486bb65aac9e89cacfe8014a6d6912388e52235 100644
--- a/lib_dec/ivas_masa_dec.c
+++ b/lib_dec/ivas_masa_dec.c
@@ -72,6 +72,9 @@ static int16_t decode_lfe_to_total_energy_ratio( MCMASA_LFE_SYNTH_DATA_HANDLE hM
 
 static ivas_error ivas_masa_dec_config( Decoder_Struct *st_ivas );
 
+#ifdef NOKIA_MASA_DESCRIPTIVE_META_TRANSMISSION
+static int16_t decode_masa_signaling( MASA_DECODER_HANDLE hMasa, uint16_t *bitstream, int16_t *index, const int32_t masa_bitrate, const int16_t nchan_transport );
+#endif
 
 /*-----------------------------------------------------------------------*
  * ivas_masa_decode()
@@ -128,6 +131,17 @@ ivas_error ivas_masa_decode(
 
     if ( !st->bfi && ivas_total_brate > IVAS_SID_5k2 )
     {
+#ifdef NOKIA_MASA_DESCRIPTIVE_META_TRANSMISSION
+        if ( !( ivas_format == MC_FORMAT && st_ivas->mc_mode == MC_MODE_MCMASA ) )
+        {
+            *nb_bits_read += decode_masa_signaling( hMasa, st->bit_stream, &st->next_bit_pos, ivas_total_brate, st_ivas->nchan_transport );
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            hMasa->config.numberOfDirections = 1;
+            hMasa->config.joinedSubframes = FALSE;
+        }
+#else
         if ( !( ivas_format == MC_FORMAT && st_ivas->mc_mode == MC_MODE_MCMASA ) )
         {
             /* the number of MASA transport channels was read in ivas_dec_setup() */
@@ -159,6 +173,7 @@ ivas_error ivas_masa_decode(
         {
             hMasa->config.joinedSubframes = FALSE;
         }
+#endif
 
         if ( st_ivas->mc_mode == MC_MODE_MCMASA )
         {
@@ -307,6 +322,16 @@ ivas_error ivas_masa_decode(
     if ( st_ivas->ivas_format == MASA_FORMAT && st_ivas->hDecoderConfig->output_config == AUDIO_CONFIG_EXTERNAL )
     {
         create_masa_ext_out_meta( hMasa, hQMetaData, st_ivas->nchan_transport );
+#ifdef NOKIA_MASA_DESCRIPTIVE_META_TRANSMISSION
+        /* Copy transmitted descriptive metadata */
+        hMasa->data.extOutMeta->descriptiveMeta.numberOfDirections = hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.numberOfDirections;
+        hMasa->data.extOutMeta->descriptiveMeta.numberOfChannels = hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.numberOfChannels;
+        hMasa->data.extOutMeta->descriptiveMeta.sourceFormat = hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.sourceFormat;
+        hMasa->data.extOutMeta->descriptiveMeta.transportDefinition = hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.transportDefinition;
+        hMasa->data.extOutMeta->descriptiveMeta.channelAngle = hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.channelAngle;
+        hMasa->data.extOutMeta->descriptiveMeta.channelDistance = hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.channelDistance;
+        hMasa->data.extOutMeta->descriptiveMeta.channelLayout = hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.channelLayout;
+#endif
     }
 
     return error /* *nb_bits_read*/;
@@ -481,6 +506,12 @@ static ivas_error ivas_masa_dec_config(
         {
             st_ivas->hQMetaData->q_direction[i].cfg.mc_ls_setup = ivas_mc_map_output_config_to_mc_ls_setup( st_ivas->transport_config );
         }
+#ifdef NOKIA_MASA_DESCRIPTIVE_META_TRANSMISSION
+        else if ( st_ivas->ivas_format == MASA_FORMAT && hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.sourceFormat == 0x2 ) /* MC source format */
+        {
+            st_ivas->hQMetaData->q_direction[i].cfg.mc_ls_setup = ivas_masa_map_meta_channel_layout_to_mc_ls_setup( hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.channelLayout );
+        }
+#endif
         else
         {
             st_ivas->hQMetaData->q_direction[i].cfg.mc_ls_setup = MC_LS_SETUP_INVALID;
@@ -1543,3 +1574,232 @@ static void create_masa_ext_out_meta(
 
     return;
 }
+
+#ifdef NOKIA_MASA_DESCRIPTIVE_META_TRANSMISSION
+static uint16_t read_masa_bits(
+    uint16_t *bitstream,
+    int16_t *index,
+    const int16_t num_bits )
+{
+    int16_t i;
+    uint16_t byteBuffer;
+
+    byteBuffer = bitstream[( *index )--] << ( num_bits - 1 );
+    for ( i = num_bits - 2; i >= 0; i-- )
+    {
+        byteBuffer += bitstream[( *index )--] << i;
+    }
+
+    return byteBuffer;
+}
+
+static void reset_descriptive_metadata(
+    MASA_DECRIPTIVE_META *descMeta )
+{
+    descMeta->sourceFormat = 0;
+    descMeta->transportDefinition = 0;
+    descMeta->channelAngle = 0;
+    descMeta->channelLayout = 0;
+    descMeta->channelDistance = 0;
+    descMeta->numberOfChannels = 0;
+    descMeta->numberOfDirections = 0;
+}
+
+/*-----------------------------------------------------------------------*
+ * decode_masa_signaling()
+ *
+ * Decodes signaling for MASA format from bitstream
+ *-----------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+/*! r: number of bits used for signaling */
+static int16_t decode_masa_signaling(
+    MASA_DECODER_HANDLE hMasa,
+    uint16_t *bitstream,
+    int16_t *index,
+    const int32_t masa_bitrate,
+    const int16_t nchan_transport )
+{
+    int16_t num_bits_read = 0;
+    int16_t current_brate_idx;
+    int16_t is_two_dir_brate;
+
+    reset_descriptive_metadata( &hMasa->data.descriptive_meta );
+
+    /* the number of MASA transport channels was read in ivas_dec_setup() */
+    *index -= MASA_TRANSP_BITS;
+    num_bits_read += MASA_TRANSP_BITS;
+    hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.numberOfChannels = (uint8_t) nchan_transport - 1;
+
+    /* read subframe mode */
+    hMasa->config.joinedSubframes = (uint8_t) read_masa_bits( bitstream, index, MASA_SUBFRAME_BITS );
+    num_bits_read += MASA_SUBFRAME_BITS;
+
+    current_brate_idx = SIZE_IVAS_BRATE_TBL - 1;
+    while ( ivas_brate_tbl[current_brate_idx] > masa_bitrate )
+    {
+        current_brate_idx--;
+    }
+    current_brate_idx -= ( SIZE_IVAS_BRATE_TBL - IVAS_NUM_ACTIVE_BRATES );
+
+    if ( hMasa->config.joinedSubframes )
+    {
+        is_two_dir_brate = masa_twodir_bands_joined[current_brate_idx] > 0 ? TRUE : FALSE;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        is_two_dir_brate = masa_twodir_bands[current_brate_idx] > 0 ? TRUE : FALSE;
+    }
+
+    /* Read number of directions if bitrate supports it */
+    if ( is_two_dir_brate )
+    {
+        hMasa->config.numberOfDirections = (uint8_t) read_masa_bits( bitstream, index, 1 ) + 1;
+        num_bits_read += 1;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        hMasa->config.numberOfDirections = 1;
+    }
+    hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.numberOfDirections = hMasa->config.numberOfDirections - 1;
+
+    /* Decode rest of descriptive metadata bits depending on the bitrate. This is handled with levels of detail. */
+    if ( masa_bitrate >= MASA_DESC_META_LEVEL3_BRATE )
+    {
+        /* Level 3: Send full descriptive metadata */
+        /* Decode source format */
+        hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.sourceFormat = (uint8_t) read_masa_bits( bitstream, index, 2 );
+        num_bits_read += 2;
+
+        if ( hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.sourceFormat == 0x2 ) /* MC source format path */
+        {
+            /* Decode channel layout */
+            hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.channelLayout = (uint8_t) read_masa_bits( bitstream, index, 3 );
+            num_bits_read += 3;
+        }
+        else /* Other source formats */
+        {
+            /* Decode transport definition */
+            hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.transportDefinition = (uint8_t) read_masa_bits( bitstream, index, 3 );
+            num_bits_read += 3;
+
+            /* Decode channel angle */
+            hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.channelAngle = (uint8_t) read_masa_bits( bitstream, index, 3 );
+            num_bits_read += 3;
+
+            if ( hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.sourceFormat != 0x3 ) /* If not in Ambisonics source format path */
+            {
+                /* Decode channel distance */
+                hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.channelDistance = (uint8_t) read_masa_bits( bitstream, index, 6 );
+                num_bits_read += 6;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    else if ( masa_bitrate >= MASA_DESC_META_LEVEL2_BRATE )
+    {
+        /* Level 2: Reduce transport description options and accuracy */
+
+        /* Decode source format */
+        hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.sourceFormat = (uint8_t) read_masa_bits( bitstream, index, 2 );
+        num_bits_read += 2;
+
+        if ( hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.sourceFormat == 0x2 ) /* MC source format path */
+        {
+            /* Decode channel layout */
+            hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.channelLayout = (uint8_t) read_masa_bits( bitstream, index, 3 );
+            num_bits_read += 3;
+        }
+        else /* Other source formats */
+        {
+            /* Decode reduced transport definition */
+            uint16_t reducedTransportDefinition;
+            reducedTransportDefinition = read_masa_bits( bitstream, index, 2 );
+            num_bits_read += 2;
+
+            if ( reducedTransportDefinition == 3 )
+            {
+                hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.transportDefinition = 0x7;
+            }
+            else if ( reducedTransportDefinition == 2 )
+            {
+                hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.transportDefinition = 0x3;
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.transportDefinition = (uint8_t) reducedTransportDefinition;
+            }
+
+            /* Decode reduced channel angle if there is a directional pattern */
+            if ( reducedTransportDefinition == 2 )
+            {
+                hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.channelAngle = (uint8_t) read_masa_bits( bitstream, index, 1 );
+                num_bits_read += 1;
+            }
+
+            if ( hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.sourceFormat != 0x3 ) /* If not in Ambisonics source format path */
+            {
+                /* Decode reduced channel distance */
+                uint16_t channelDistance5bit;
+                channelDistance5bit = read_masa_bits( bitstream, index, 5 );
+                num_bits_read += 5;
+
+                if ( channelDistance5bit < 3 )
+                {
+                    hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.channelDistance = (uint8_t) channelDistance5bit;
+                }
+                else if ( channelDistance5bit == 31 )
+                {
+                    hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.channelDistance = 63;
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.channelDistance = (uint8_t) ( ( channelDistance5bit - 3 ) * 2 + 3 );
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        /* Level 1: Send minimal data */
+        uint16_t is_mc_source_format;
+
+        /* Decode if the source format is multichannel or any other */
+        is_mc_source_format = read_masa_bits( bitstream, index, 1 );
+        if ( is_mc_source_format )
+        {
+            hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.sourceFormat = 0x2;
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.sourceFormat = 0x0;
+        }
+        num_bits_read += 1;
+
+        if ( is_mc_source_format )
+        {
+            /* Decode channel layout */
+            hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.channelLayout = (uint8_t) read_masa_bits( bitstream, index, 3 );
+            num_bits_read += 3;
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            /* Use 1 bit to signal if the transport is binaural and there are two transport channels */
+            if ( nchan_transport == 2 )
+            {
+                uint16_t is_binaural_transport = 0;
+                is_binaural_transport = read_masa_bits( bitstream, index, 1 );
+                num_bits_read += 1;
+                if ( is_binaural_transport )
+                {
+                    hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.transportDefinition = 0x7;
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    hMasa->data.descriptive_meta.transportDefinition = 0x0;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    return num_bits_read;
+}
+#endif
diff --git a/lib_dec/ivas_stat_dec.h b/lib_dec/ivas_stat_dec.h
index 4a17c75dda9f42d5fffbded309972d8817f92ff6..8fa62960dca02213e926733a79c7f7626b7df9fb 100644
--- a/lib_dec/ivas_stat_dec.h
+++ b/lib_dec/ivas_stat_dec.h
@@ -1114,6 +1114,9 @@ typedef struct ivas_masa_decoder_data_struct
 
     MASA_DECODER_EXT_OUT_META *extOutMeta;
     float dir_decode_quality;
+#ifdef NOKIA_MASA_DESCRIPTIVE_META_TRANSMISSION
+    MASA_DECRIPTIVE_META descriptive_meta;
+#endif
 
 } MASA_DECODER_DATA;
 
diff --git a/lib_enc/ivas_masa_enc.c b/lib_enc/ivas_masa_enc.c
index 2a21a667e941be7447a36cd81869bf394896a49e..4342f1acc3af567c7cfcf214ba2cc82c78096101 100644
--- a/lib_enc/ivas_masa_enc.c
+++ b/lib_enc/ivas_masa_enc.c
@@ -75,6 +75,10 @@ static void detect_framing_async( MASA_ENCODER_HANDLE hMasa );
 static void masa_metadata_direction_alignment( MASA_ENCODER_HANDLE hMasa );
 #endif
 
+#ifdef NOKIA_MASA_DESCRIPTIVE_META_TRANSMISSION
+static int16_t encode_masa_signaling( BSTR_ENC_HANDLE hMetaData, MASA_ENCODER_HANDLE hMasa, const int32_t masa_bitrate, const int16_t nchan_transport );
+#endif
+
 /*-----------------------------------------------------------------------*
  * Local constants
  *-----------------------------------------------------------------------*/
@@ -272,6 +276,9 @@ ivas_error ivas_masa_encode(
 
     if ( ivas_format == MASA_FORMAT )
     {
+#ifdef NOKIA_MASA_DESCRIPTIVE_META_TRANSMISSION
+        hQMetaData->metadata_max_bits -= encode_masa_signaling( hMetaData, hMasa, ivas_total_brate, nchan_transport );
+#else
         /* write the number of MASA transport channels */
         push_next_indice( hMetaData, nchan_transport - 1, MASA_TRANSP_BITS );
         hQMetaData->metadata_max_bits -= MASA_TRANSP_BITS;
@@ -287,6 +294,7 @@ ivas_error ivas_masa_encode(
         /* write subframe mode */
         push_next_indice( hMetaData, hQMetaData->q_direction[0].cfg.nblocks == 1 ? 1 : 0, MASA_SUBFRAME_BITS );
         hQMetaData->metadata_max_bits -= MASA_SUBFRAME_BITS;
+#endif
     }
 
     if ( ivas_format == MC_FORMAT )
@@ -574,6 +582,12 @@ ivas_error ivas_masa_enc_config(
         {
             hQMetaData->q_direction[i].cfg.mc_ls_setup = st_ivas->hEncoderConfig->mc_input_setup;
         }
+#ifdef NOKIA_MASA_DESCRIPTIVE_META_TRANSMISSION
+        else if ( ivas_format == MASA_FORMAT && hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.sourceFormat == 0x2 ) /* MC source format */
+        {
+            st_ivas->hQMetaData->q_direction[i].cfg.mc_ls_setup = ivas_masa_map_meta_channel_layout_to_mc_ls_setup( hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.channelLayout );
+        }
+#endif
         else
         {
             /* Just to be sure that this default value is maintained */
@@ -1700,6 +1714,207 @@ void ivas_masa_enc_reconfigure(
 
     return;
 }
+#ifdef NOKIA_MASA_DESCRIPTIVE_META_TRANSMISSION
+
+/*-----------------------------------------------------------------------*
+ * encode_masa_signaling()
+ *
+ * Encodes signaling for MASA format to bitstream
+ *-----------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+/*! r: number of bits used for signaling */
+static int16_t encode_masa_signaling(
+    BSTR_ENC_HANDLE hMetaData,
+    MASA_ENCODER_HANDLE hMasa,
+    const int32_t masa_bitrate,
+    const int16_t nchan_transport )
+{
+    int16_t num_bits_used = 0;
+    int16_t current_brate_idx;
+    int16_t is_two_dir_brate;
+
+    /* Write the number of MASA transport channels. This is always written for MASA. */
+    push_next_indice( hMetaData, nchan_transport - 1, MASA_TRANSP_BITS );
+    num_bits_used += MASA_TRANSP_BITS;
+
+    /* Write subframe mode */
+    push_next_indice( hMetaData, hMasa->config.joinedSubframes == TRUE ? 1 : 0, MASA_SUBFRAME_BITS );
+    num_bits_used += MASA_SUBFRAME_BITS;
+
+    current_brate_idx = SIZE_IVAS_BRATE_TBL - 1;
+    while ( ivas_brate_tbl[current_brate_idx] > masa_bitrate )
+    {
+        current_brate_idx--;
+    }
+    current_brate_idx -= ( SIZE_IVAS_BRATE_TBL - IVAS_NUM_ACTIVE_BRATES );
+
+    if ( hMasa->config.joinedSubframes )
+    {
+        is_two_dir_brate = masa_twodir_bands_joined[current_brate_idx] > 0 ? TRUE : FALSE;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        is_two_dir_brate = masa_twodir_bands[current_brate_idx] > 0 ? TRUE : FALSE;
+    }
+
+    /* Signal number of directions if bitrate allows it */
+    if ( is_two_dir_brate )
+    {
+        push_next_indice( hMetaData, hMasa->config.numberOfDirections - 1, 1 );
+        num_bits_used += 1;
+    }
+
+    /* Write rest of descriptive metadata bits depending on the bitrate. This is handled with levels of detail. */
+    if ( masa_bitrate >= MASA_DESC_META_LEVEL3_BRATE )
+    {
+        /* Level 3: Send full descriptive metadata */
+        /* Encode source format */
+        push_next_indice( hMetaData, hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.sourceFormat, 2 );
+        num_bits_used += 2;
+
+        if ( hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.sourceFormat == 0x2 ) /* MC source format path */
+        {
+            /* Encode channel layout */
+            push_next_indice( hMetaData, hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.channelLayout, 3 );
+            num_bits_used += 3;
+        }
+        else /* Other source formats */
+        {
+            /* Encode transport definition */
+            push_next_indice( hMetaData, hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.transportDefinition, 3 );
+            num_bits_used += 3;
+
+            /* Encode channel angle */
+            push_next_indice( hMetaData, hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.channelAngle, 3 );
+            num_bits_used += 3;
+
+            if ( hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.sourceFormat != 0x3 ) /* If not in Ambisonics source format path */
+            {
+                /* Encode channel distance */
+                push_next_indice( hMetaData, hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.channelDistance, 6 );
+                num_bits_used += 6;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    else if ( masa_bitrate >= MASA_DESC_META_LEVEL2_BRATE )
+    {
+        /* Level 2: Reduce transport description options and accuracy
+         * With Default/Other or Microphone Grid source format, uses 9-10 bits
+         * With MC source format, uses 5 bits
+         * With Ambisonics source format, uses 4-5 bits */
+
+        /* Encode source format */
+        push_next_indice( hMetaData, hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.sourceFormat, 2 );
+        num_bits_used += 2;
+
+        if ( hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.sourceFormat == 0x2 ) /* MC source format path */
+        {
+            /* Encode channel layout */
+            push_next_indice( hMetaData, hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.channelLayout, 3 );
+            num_bits_used += 3;
+        }
+        else /* Other source formats */
+        {
+            /* Encode reduced transport definition with two bits. Non-fitting patterns are converted to 0.
+             * This is coded as:
+             * 0: Unknown/Other
+             * 1: Omni
+             * 2: Cardioid
+             * 3: Binaural */
+            int16_t reducedTransportDefinition;
+
+            if ( hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.transportDefinition == 0x1 )
+            {
+                reducedTransportDefinition = 1;
+            }
+            else if ( hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.transportDefinition == 0x3 )
+            {
+                reducedTransportDefinition = 2;
+            }
+            else if ( hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.transportDefinition == 0x7 )
+            {
+                reducedTransportDefinition = 3;
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                reducedTransportDefinition = 0;
+            }
+
+            push_next_indice( hMetaData, reducedTransportDefinition, 2 );
+            num_bits_used += 2;
+
+            /* Encode channel angle as unspecified on 90° if there is a directive pattern */
+            if ( reducedTransportDefinition == 2 )
+            {
+                int16_t is90degChannelAngle;
+                is90degChannelAngle = hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.channelAngle == 0x1 ? 1 : 0;
+                push_next_indice( hMetaData, is90degChannelAngle, 1 );
+                num_bits_used += 1;
+            }
+
+            if ( hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.sourceFormat != 0x3 ) /* If not in Ambisonics source format path */
+            {
+                /* Encode channel distance but reduce to use of 5 bits in total while preserving the 4 special cases. The
+                 * result is following:
+                 * 0-2: as is for special values
+                 * 3-30: use every second value from original bits, non-matching values round down to previous unless over 58
+                 * 31: as is (but some values will round up here) */
+                int16_t channelDistance5bit;
+                if ( hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.channelDistance < 3 )
+                {
+                    channelDistance5bit = hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.channelDistance;
+                }
+                else if ( hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.channelDistance > 58 )
+                {
+                    channelDistance5bit = 31;
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    channelDistance5bit = ( hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.channelDistance - 3 ) / 2 + 3; /* Intentional truncation */
+                }
+                push_next_indice( hMetaData, channelDistance5bit, 5 );
+                num_bits_used += 5;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        /* Level 1: Send minimal data */
+        int16_t is_mc_source_format;
+
+        /* Signal if the source format is multichannel or any other */
+        is_mc_source_format = hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.sourceFormat == 0x2 ? 1 : 0;
+        push_next_indice( hMetaData, is_mc_source_format, 1 );
+        num_bits_used += 1;
+
+        if ( is_mc_source_format )
+        {
+            /* Encode channel layout */
+            push_next_indice( hMetaData, hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.channelLayout, 3 );
+            num_bits_used += 3;
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            /* Use 1 bit to signal if the transport is binaural and there are two transport channels */
+            if ( nchan_transport == 2 )
+            {
+                int16_t is_binaural_transport = 0;
+                if ( hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.sourceFormat == 0x0 || hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.sourceFormat == 0x1 )
+                {
+                    if ( hMasa->masaMetadata.descriptive_meta.transportDefinition == 0x7 )
+                    {
+                        is_binaural_transport = 1;
+                    }
+                }
+                push_next_indice( hMetaData, is_binaural_transport, 1 );
+                num_bits_used += 1;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    return num_bits_used;
+}
+#endif
 
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------*