Views on Soundcloud

Subject: Views on Soundcloud
From: GUEST,SteveT
Date: 16 Jan 12 - 07:56 AM

(Very) occasionally people ask me for a song that I've written. It's easy to give them the words but passing on the tunes is more difficult. My son said he puts his music on "Soundcloud" (He's young so he understands things like computers). What are the problems associated with this? I'm thinking legal, privacy etc rather than technical – if it's going to be technical it's a non-starter anyway.

I don't have a webcam or video camera (are they still called that?) for recording and there's no way I'm going to have a picture of myself singing on YouTube so that isn't an alternative.

As background; I can record myself singing into my computer using the inbuilt "Windows" software and a cheap microphone. I'm not going to get anything more complicated. I have neither the musical nor the technical ability for my songs and recording to be anything more than a means for someone who wants to, to learn the tune to a song to sing at a singaround.

How safe/suitable is Soundcloud for this?

(And, if anyone reads this who knows me – no, I'm not thinking of making a CD!)

Subject: RE: Views on Soundcloud
From: Will Fly
Date: 16 Jan 12 - 08:01 AM

I use Soundcloud - it's an excellent site. When you add a sound file you have the option to make it available only to certain people who have the explicit URL/key for that tune. So - you add the file, give the public/non-public rating you want and, in the case of non-public, email the link to your friends.

Subject: RE: Views on Soundcloud
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 16 Jan 12 - 09:20 AM

Seconded. I think, for the purposes of what you describe, Soundcloud is exactly what you need.

All of the other music-hosing sites, such as Bandcamp or Reverbnation, have more bells and whistles than you require.

Subject: RE: Views on Soundcloud
From: terrier
Date: 16 Jan 12 - 09:28 AM

But still remember you can post sound only recordings on Youtube as NON public and email the link to your friends. I've just started using Soundcloud and find it easier and quicker than Youtube. Use whatever you are used to. Another prpogramme is ONMvoice, but that seems to be a bit slow to use for some people.

Subject: RE: Views on Soundcloud
From: RTim
Date: 16 Jan 12 - 10:00 AM

I also use Soundcloud, and I think it does a great job.
I like that you can post either a link to your total Tracks or to individual tracks.
I also have a Reverbnation site which is OK, but I don't like the link from Facebook to it, and you can't link to individual tracks.
I am thinking of abandoning my MySpace site - I don't like it at all anymore - However, once, it was the only way!!

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Views on Soundcloud
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 16 Jan 12 - 02:20 PM

I'm using Soundcloud for all sorts of stuff these days - my only complaint is that only the 'premium' option allows you to shuffle your tracks on your profile. Even Myspace let you do that. A minor gripe though - nice to hook up into Facebook, email links & even Mudcat!

Subject: RE: Views on Soundcloud
From: Tootler
Date: 16 Jan 12 - 06:07 PM

I use Soundcloud for posting audio only tracks. Uploading is straightforward and you can send people links. One great advantage is you are not limited to mp3 as their criterion is playing time. The free version gives you 2hrs playing time and the files can be any format include wav. I used it to send in my tracks for the Mudcat CD.

Quite a few people use dropbox for sharing files. I don't know much about it as I have not used it myself, but it seems to be another option.

Subject: RE: Views on Soundcloud
From: GUEST,SteveT
Date: 18 Jan 12 - 05:08 AM

Many thanks for your views and comments. I've bitten the bullet and signed up (though not as SteveT as that name was already in use) and even uploaded a couple of songs. Looks like it fits the bill perfectly for me.

Subject: RE: Views on Soundcloud
From: Will Fly
Date: 18 Jan 12 - 06:25 AM

Well done Steve - good luck with it. If you're interested, you'll find my stuff here, and let us know if you're inclined to share your music with us. :-)

Subject: RE: Views on Soundcloud
From: GUEST,SteveT
Date: 18 Jan 12 - 07:52 AM

Thanks Will. I seem to be at http://soundcloud.com/sthomason-1. Not up to your standard at all but I've occasionally been asked to pass on a song at a session and this seems to be a good way of doing it. I suppose, now that I can, people will stop asking!

Bill Whalley & Dave Fletcher have put a couple of my songs on their CD Acorn to Oak to show how they should be done.

Subject: RE: Views on Soundcloud
From: Will Fly
Date: 18 Jan 12 - 11:28 AM

Steve - good songs indeed, and very nicely performed! I doff my hat, sir.

Subject: RE: Views on Soundcloud
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 25 Jan 12 - 05:51 PM

I've finally got round to putting up some music I'm reasonably happy with on that there Soundcloud site too:

www.soundcloud.com/mattmilton

Subject: RE: Views on Soundcloud
From: Will Fly
Date: 26 Jan 12 - 05:00 AM

Matt - correction to your link:

http://soundcloud.com/mattmilton