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When someone posts a tweet that quickly goes viral and gets a lot of attention on the internet, they usually take the chance to talk more about their interest project. There is no better time than now to promote that independent record you’ve worked so hard on or that podcast you’ve been taking care of. There’s something magical about being famous for 15 minutes on social media. It’s almost become a running joke among people who don’t have SoundCloud accounts that this is something that people do when they share SoundCloud links. “The people’s audio service” is what SoundCloud is called because it has become the site of choice for new musicians and podcasters.
SoundCloud has a unique two-way business plan that makes it stand out in the crowded world of streaming audio. This is true whether you’re looking for new music, podcasts, or to share your own work. It’s also not limited to just one platform; you can view it on the web or your desktop, and there are also apps for Android and iOS.
Another thing that makes SoundCloud stand out is that it caters to both audio enthusiasts and pros. We will look at SoundCloud from both of these different points of view as we go through this study. Neither side is particularly great on its own, but when you put them together, you get a streaming music service that is greater than the sum of its parts. SoundCloud is a platform that is worth your time and attention because it has a unique mix of material and creators.
Soundcloud Specifications
SoundCloud is a dynamic platform that caters to the needs of both musicians and music fans. As a result of its comprehensive set of features and tools, it is an excellent option for both the production and consumption of musical content.
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Audio formats | Supported audio formats include WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, OGG, MP2, MP3, AAC, AMR, and WMA. |
| Maximum file size | The maximum file size is 4GB uncompressed. |
| Bit depth and sample rate | For the best quality, we recommend uploading in a lossless format like WAV, FLAC, AIFF, or ALAC with a bit depth of 16 bit and a sample rate of 48 kHz. |
| Headroom | We recommend leaving between -0.5 and -1 dBFS of headroom to prevent clipping during transcoding. |
| Track duration | There is no maximum track duration. |
| Storage space | Free accounts have 3 hours of storage space, while paid accounts have more storage space depending on the plan. |
| Streaming quality | SoundCloud streams audio at a quality of 128 kbps MP3. |
| Monetization | Paid accounts can monetize their tracks through advertising or subscriptions. |
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What is SoundCloud?
SoundCloud is a service that lets you stream music and a place where new and known artists can share their music, either for free or for a fee. If you want to make an account, you don’t have to pick between becoming an artist or a friend; both are built into the same account. You can change your music library and your own music releases on the app, even if you don’t pay for premium features.
SoundCloud also has a lot of tools for artists to improve their skills, such as audio mastering, which is cheaper for people who pay for a creator contract. You can also use tools to make money and a service called Repost by SoundCloud, which lets you share your music. It costs $30 a year or is free if you have Pro Unlimited. The SoundCloud Playbook is a website that has a lot of useful information. It has intro movies that explain how to use different parts of the platform in a clear and concise way.
Soundcloud review: Professionals
Uploading music sets SoundCloud apart from other streaming services. SoundCloud, like Bandcamp, is popular with underground/independent bands because of that. SoundCloud doesn’t allow digital, CD, or vinyl sales like Bandcamp. Uploading a lot of songs requires SoundCloud Pro. Download SoundCloud Basic to upload up to three hours of audio, get basic metrics, and embed an editable music mini-player on your website. The $8 per month Pro plan allows six hours of audio uploads, enhanced stats, mini-player controls, track replacement, track monetization, Spotlight, and Quiet Mode.
Distributing unlimited tracks to Amazon Music, Instagram, Spotify, Tencent, YouTube Music, and other streaming audio services is crucial for serious musicians. The top plan, $16 per month SoundCloud Pro Unlimited, offers DJ mixing capabilities, unlimited file uploads, and $4.99 per month SoundCloud Go+. You may listen and mix SoundCloud’s repertoire with Native Instruments, Serato, Virtual DJ, DEX 3, and Pioneer DJ.
Soundcloud review: Audio Quality
When the original file is uploaded in a lossless format such as WAV, FLAC, AIFF, or ALAC or at a high bitrate, SoundCloud has upgraded its SoundCloud Go+ subscriptions to include 256 kbps AAC streams. This upgrade reverses the trend that SoundCloud had been following of diminishing the quality of its streaming service. The stream quality for all other subscriptions, including the free services that are financed by advertisements, is Very Low Quality 64kbps Opus/Ogg Vorbis.
AIFF, WAV, FLAC, ALAC, Ogg, MP2, MP3, AAC, and WMA files with a maximum file size of 5GB (or a maximum of 6 hours and 45 minutes) can be uploaded with Pro subscriptions. Downloads, in cases where the uploader has made this option available, will retain the same high level of quality as the original files without undergoing any transcoding.
Soundcloud review: Music Discovery
The standard functions of search, playlist, and favorites can all be accessed here. It is possible for listeners to track specific artists or musical genres. Individuals, bands, and smaller record labels all have the opportunity to make their music accessible to a larger audience at a very little cost thanks to SoundCloud.
Creators have access to a variety of statistics that allow them to track the number of people who have listened to their tracks, liked them, and downloaded them after they have posted them. As a direct consequence of this, the content that can be found on SoundCloud includes a vast variety of material, with up-and-coming as well as experimental musicians sharing space with more well-known names.
Final Words
It has been my experience that SoundCloud is a truly extraordinary platform that combines the works of major label musicians with user-generated music and a vast library of podcasts to produce a streaming music service that is superior than any other. However, it is crucial to remember that despite the fact that SoundCloud offers a different musical landscape, there are some amusing elements that some other music streaming services may offer that listeners may find themselves missing out on if they choose to use SoundCloud as their music streaming service.
Soundcloud review: The Good and Bad
Audio streaming and distribution online. Large music repertoire with many new and experimental artists. High-quality uploads are allowed, however streams are lower-quality than mainstream streamers.
The Good
- Users can upload music and podcasts.
- Unlimited track skips across the board.
- Novel social elements.
- Cool mixing tools for DJs
The Bad
- Some major-label music isn’t available via the free tier.
- Doesn’t let pros sell music directly to customers.
- Lacks lyrics.
Questions and Answers
If you are a new and upcoming creator that is interested in sharing their music, then Soundcloud is the platform that you should use. If you are interested in finding new indie music, we would also recommend using Soundcloud. On the other hand, users who want access to popular and mainstream music will find more of what they’re looking for on Spotify.
Choose the free profile if you aren’t interested in analytics, don’t care about the verification button, and don’t want to share downloaded music. If you want to get more out of Soundcloud, upgrading to a paid plan will provide you access to some helpful additional features that will assist you in expanding your account at a more rapid rate.