Tag: music

Marshall Bromley 750 Party Bluetooth Speaker looks like an amp

Marshall just introduced its very first party speaker, the Bromley 750. The speaker resembles a guitar amp, which aligns perfectly with the company’s heritage. After all, instrument amps are essentially powerful speakers in their own right.

This Bluetooth speaker features a replaceable battery delivering over 40 hours of playback on a single charge. It produces 360-degree stereophonic sound that Marshall claims will “find its way through any crowd.” Additionally, it includes a “sound character knob” for adjusting tone from clear (ideal for indoor use) to punchy (better for outdoor settings).

TikTok’s UK Subsidiary Files Company Financials / Revenues for Europe, UK, Latin America and Africa

TikTok’s UK subsidiary has published its latest financial results covering operations in Europe, the UK, Latin America and Africa. The report shows revenue growth of 38% to $6.31bn in 2024, while the company significantly reduced its operating losses from $1.37bn in 2023 to $484.6m last year.

Filed with Companies House in the UK, these results primarily address financial performance rather than user statistics. However, earlier this year TikTok separately disclosed user numbers for the European Union. The platform reached 159 million monthly active users across the EU by the end of 2024, with its largest markets being France (25.1 million), Germany (24.2 million), Italy (22.8 million) and Spain (21.9 million).

What are the largest music streaming services in India

The largest music streaming services in India are:

  1. Gaana: With approximately 185 million monthly active users, Gaana is one of the most popular music streaming platforms in India, offering a vast library of Hindi and regional music.
  2. JioSaavn: This service has over 200 million subscribers and is known for its extensive collection of Indian music across various languages, making it a significant player in the Indian market.
  3. Spotify: A global leader, Spotify has gained substantial traction in India, providing a diverse catalog of music, including local and international tracks.
  4. YouTube Music: Leveraging YouTube’s massive user base, YouTube Music is widely used in India, offering a mix of official tracks, user-generated content, and music videos.
  5. Wynk Music: This platform, associated with Airtel, is popular among Indian users and offers a large selection of songs, including regional music.
  6. Apple Music: Although it has a smaller user base compared to local services, Apple Music is recognized for its high-quality audio and exclusive content.
  7. Amazon Music: Gaining popularity, especially among Amazon Prime subscribers, Amazon Music offers access to a wide range of songs and playlists.

These services reflect a mix of local and international offerings, catering to the diverse musical tastes of Indian listeners, with significant growth in streaming volumes reported in recent years.

How does RouteNote’s royalty payment process differ from other distribution services

RouteNote’s royalty payment process has some unique aspects compared to other distribution services:

  1. Flexible pricing models: RouteNote offers both a free plan and a premium plan. With the free plan, artists keep 85% of their royalties while RouteNote takes 15%. The premium plan allows artists to keep 100% of their royalties for a flat annual fee.
  2. Plan switching: Artists can switch between the free and premium plans at any time, allowing them to optimize their earnings based on their current performance.
  3. Payment schedule: Royalty payments are made automatically between the 15th and 20th of each month, provided the $50 minimum earnings threshold has been met.
  4. Royalty types: RouteNote collects various types of royalties, including performance royalties, mechanical royalties, YouTube micro-synchronization royalties, and neighboring rights.
  5. Delayed ingestion for compositional royalties: Compositional royalties can take 6-9 months to ingest due to RouteNote collecting from over 100 countries and societies, each with its own upload period.
  6. Combined payments: For artists who distribute through RouteNote, publishing royalties are paid alongside master/sound recording royalties.
  7. Transparent reporting: RouteNote provides monthly reports to artists, allowing them to track their earnings across different platforms.

Unlike some services that may have more complex pricing structures or longer payment delays, RouteNote aims to offer a straightforward and relatively quick payment process. However, it’s important to note that the actual speed of payments can vary depending on the type of royalty and the specific platforms involved.

How does RouteNote ensure fair royalties for artists

RouteNote aims to ensure fair royalties for artists through several key practices:

  1. Transparent pricing model: RouteNote offers two main distribution plans – a free plan and a premium plan. With the free plan, artists keep 85% of their royalties, while RouteNote takes a 15% cut. The premium plan allows artists to keep 100% of their royalties for a flat annual fee.
  2. Flexible plan switching: Artists can switch between the free and premium plans at any time, allowing them to choose the most cost-effective option based on their earnings.
  3. No hidden fees: RouteNote emphasizes simple, fair pricing with no hidden costs.
  4. Timely payments: Royalty payments are automatically made between the 15th and 20th of each month, provided the $50 minimum earnings threshold has been met.
  5. Comprehensive market coverage: RouteNote partners with all top digital outlets, covering over 90% of the digital music market, which helps maximize artists’ earning potential.
  6. Publishing royalties: In addition to distribution royalties, RouteNote offers a publishing service to help artists collect compositional royalties from over 100 countries and societies.
  7. Transparent reporting: RouteNote provides monthly reports to artists, allowing them to track their earnings across different platforms.

While some users have reported issues with payments, these appear to be isolated incidents rather than systemic problems. RouteNote’s overall structure and policies are designed to provide fair and transparent royalty distribution to artists. However, as with any service, it’s crucial for artists to carefully read the terms of service, set up their payment information correctly, and maintain open communication with the company if any issues arise.

Which music streaming service has the largest user base in India

The music streaming service with the largest user base in India is Gaana, which boasts approximately 185 million monthly active users. Following closely is JioSaavn, which has over 200 million subscribers. Both platforms are significant players in the Indian music streaming market, reflecting the country’s growing appetite for digital music consumption. Other notable services include Spotify and YouTube Music, which also have substantial user bases but do not surpass Gaana and JioSaavn in terms of active users in India.

How does RouteNote’s payment process differ for master recording royalties versus compositional royalties

RouteNote’s payment process differs in a few key ways for master recording royalties versus compositional royalties:

  1. Collection timeline:
  • Master recording royalties are typically collected and paid out more quickly, usually within 45 days after the end of the month they were earned.
  • Compositional royalties can take 6-9 months to be collected and paid out, due to RouteNote collecting from over 100 countries and societies, each with their own upload periods.
  1. Payment frequency:
  • Master recording royalties are paid out monthly, between the 15th-20th of each month, as long as the $50 minimum threshold is met.
  • Compositional royalties are paid on the same schedule, but due to the longer collection timeline, payments may be less frequent initially.
  1. Royalty types:
  • Master recording royalties come from streams and downloads of the actual recordings distributed through RouteNote.
  • Compositional royalties include performance royalties, mechanical royalties, YouTube micro-synchronization royalties, and neighboring rights.
  1. Payment combination:
  • For artists who distribute through RouteNote, compositional royalties are paid alongside master/sound recording royalties in the same payment.
  1. Revenue share:
  • For master recording royalties, RouteNote offers either an 85/15 split (free plan) or 100% to the artist (premium plan).
  • For compositional royalties collected through RouteNote Publishing, RouteNote takes a 15% cut of the publisher’s share.
  1. Reporting:
  • Master recording royalties are reported in more detail, with breakdowns by platform and country.
  • Compositional royalty reporting may be less granular due to the complexities of collecting from multiple societies worldwide.

While the basic payment process is similar, the key differences lie in the collection timeline, types of royalties, and the way RouteNote handles the revenue sharing for each royalty type.

What inspired Steven Finch to start RouteNote

Steven Finch was inspired to start RouteNote in 2007 with the goal of democratizing online music distribution and making it accessible to all artists. The key motivations behind founding RouteNote appear to be:

  1. Empowering artists: Finch wanted to create a platform that would allow musicians, from new artists to established names, to share their music online without needing the backing of a major record label or distribution company.
  2. Simplifying the distribution process: RouteNote was designed to make it easier for musicians to get their music onto popular streaming platforms and digital stores.
  3. Fairness and openness: The company was founded on principles of being fair and transparent with artists, offering free distribution options alongside paid services.
  4. Addressing industry challenges: Finch aimed to tackle the difficulties artists faced in achieving global recognition for their music.
  5. Equal opportunities: RouteNote’s mission revolves around providing all artists, regardless of their status or resources, with equal opportunities to distribute their music worldwide.

By creating RouteNote, Steven Finch sought to provide a solution that would allow artists to retain control and ownership of their music while reaching a global audience through major digital platforms. This vision was likely shaped by his understanding of the music industry’s challenges and his desire to create a more artist-friendly distribution model.

What is the Easiest DAW for a Beginner to Learn

Determining the “absolute easiest” DAW for beginners can be subjective, as individual learning styles and preferences vary. However, based on user feedback and general ease of use, some beginner-friendly DAW options include:

1. GarageBand (Mac only):

  • Free and pre-installed on Macs: No initial investment required, making it readily accessible for Mac users.
  • Simple and intuitive interface: Designed with a clean and user-friendly layout, ideal for beginners unfamiliar with complex software.
  • Built-in sound library and virtual instruments: Offers a good selection of sounds and instruments to get started without needing additional resources.
  • Limited features compared to other DAWs: May not be suitable for advanced productions or those seeking extensive functionalities.

2. Ableton Live:

  • Unique workflow: Focuses on loop-based music creation, offering a different approach that some beginners find intuitive.
  • Strong focus on live performance: Can be helpful for those interested in performing electronic music live with their creations.
  • Wide range of built-in sounds and effects: Offers a good starting point without requiring additional purchases.
  • Steeper learning curve compared to GarageBand: May require slightly more effort to learn for some beginners, especially those unfamiliar with loop-based production.

What is Amuseio AB

Amuseio AB, also known simply as Amuse, is a Swedish music distribution and artist services company. They offer a range of services to help independent artists release and manage their music careers.

You can read there financials here.

Owning Your Music Masters: Demystifying Artist Rights and Control

In the music industry, “owning your masters” is a phrase often thrown around, but what does it truly mean? For artists, understanding the concept of master ownership is crucial, as it significantly impacts their creative freedom, financial gain, and overall control over their music.

What are Music Masters?

Simply put, music masters are the original sound recordings of a song. These recordings include the final version of a song captured in a studio, encompassing the artist’s performance, instrumentation, mixing, and mastering. They are distinct from the musical composition itself, which falls under copyright protection as an intellectual property.

Why Owning Your Masters Matters:

Owning your masters grants you, the artist, a bundle of rights associated with the recordings, including:

  • The right to reproduce: This allows you to decide how and where your music is distributed (e.g., streaming platforms, vinyl pressing).
  • The right to distribute: You control where your music is made available for purchase or download.
  • The right to create derivative works: This includes authorizing remixes, covers, or other versions of your original recordings.
  • The right to receive royalties: You earn a portion of the revenue generated when your music is used, such as through streaming, downloads, or licensing for films or commercials.

Not Owning Your Masters:

When artists sign traditional record deals, they often give up ownership of their masters in exchange for upfront funding, production support, and distribution assistance. While this arrangement can be advantageous for launching a career, it means the record label retains ownership of the masters and controls the aforementioned rights.

Benefits of Owning Your Masters:

  • Creative Control: You have the final say over how your music is presented and distributed, ensuring artistic integrity.
  • Financial Gain: You reap the majority of the royalties generated by your music, potentially leading to greater long-term financial benefits.
  • Long-term Ownership: Masters remain your property, potentially appreciating in value over time and allowing you to pass them on as part of your legacy.

Challenges of Owning Your Masters:

  • Financial Investment: Independent artists need to cover recording, manufacturing, and distribution costs themselves, which can be a significant financial hurdle.
  • Marketing and Distribution: Establishing distribution channels and promoting your music independently requires additional effort and resources.
  • Legal Expertise: Navigating contracts and copyright complexities might necessitate legal counsel, adding to the costs.

The Decision:

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to own your masters is a personal one that depends on your individual circumstances, career goals, and risk tolerance. Weighing the benefits and challenges carefully, alongside seeking professional guidance, can help you make an informed choice that aligns with your long-term vision as an artist.tunesharemore_vert

What is Tracklib and Why is it Better Than It’s Competitors

Tracklib is a music service that allows producers and artists to legally sample original music recordings for use in their own creations. It functions as a “record store for sampling” by offering a vast library of pre-cleared music and a streamlined process for obtaining licensing permission.

Here’s a breakdown of Tracklib’s key features:

  • Extensive Music Library: Tracklib boasts a library of over 100,000 tracks across various genres and decades, including full songs, stems (individual instrument tracks), and multi-tracks.
  • Pre-cleared Samples: Each song in the library is pre-cleared for legal use, meaning the copyright holders have already granted permission for sampling, eliminating the need for individual negotiations.
  • Licensing Options: Tracklib offers various tiered subscription plans that allow users to download a specific number of samples per month or purchase individual song licenses.
  • User-friendly Interface: The platform provides a search function and filtering options to help users find the perfect sample. Users can also preview and loop samples before downloading them.
  • Royalty Distribution: Tracklib facilitates royalty payments to the original rights holders whenever a sample is used in a commercially released track.

Here’s what sets Tracklib apart from other sample resources:

  • Legality: Unlike traditional crate-digging, where copyright issues can arise, Tracklib ensures legal and ethical sampling through pre-cleared licenses.
  • Convenience: The platform eliminates the time-consuming and complex process of negotiating individual sample clearances.
  • Variety: The extensive library offers a diverse range of music, increasing creative possibilities for producers and artists.

However, it’s important to consider the limitations of Tracklib:

  • Cost: Subscription fees can add up depending on the chosen plan and the number of samples needed.
  • Limited Control: Users might have less creative control compared to using completely original or manipulated sounds.

Overall, Tracklib provides a valuable tool for musicians seeking an efficient and legal way to incorporate high-quality samples into their music productions. However, it’s essential to weigh the costs and limitations against its benefits before deciding if it’s the right solution for your creative needs.

Distribute Music with Distrokid and RouteNote

Distrokid and RouteNote are both great options for uploading your music into the worlds largest stores and streaming services. Here is a quick list of Pros and Cons for both.

DistroKid:

Pros:

  • Simple and user-friendly interface
  • Affordable pricing for basic plans
  • Fast distribution speeds (especially for paid plans)

Cons:

  • Limited features in basic plans (e.g., no YouTube Content ID)
  • Additional fees for advanced features
  • Limited customer support options

RouteNote:

Pros:

  • All-inclusive features in their free plan (including YouTube Content ID)
  • Unlimited track uploads even on the free plan
  • Wide range of additional features and services
  • 24/7 customer support

Cons:

  • Slightly more complex interface compared to DistroKid
  • Slower distribution speeds compared to DistroKid (for the free plan)
drums music streaming distrokid routenote
via – Shuttur

Why Are Musicians and Labels Choosing RouteNote over Other Distributors?

Musicians choose RouteNote for a variety of reasons, often depending on their individual needs and priorities. Here are some of the key factors that might draw them to RouteNote:

Free distribution: RouteNote offers completely free basic distribution to a vast network of digital stores and streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and TikTok. This is particularly appealing for beginner and independent musicians who might not have a large budget for music promotion.

High royalty share: RouteNote keeps a lower percentage of royalties compared to some other distributors (85% for free distribution, 100% for Premium plan). This means musicians keep more of their earnings for each stream or download.

Wide store reach: RouteNote distributes to a very large number of platforms, both major and niche, giving musicians the potential to reach a wider audience globally. This can be helpful for expanding their fanbase and generating more income.

Transparency and user-friendly platform: RouteNote has a reputation for being transparent with their fees and royalties, and their platform is considered user-friendly and easy to navigate. This makes it easier for musicians to manage their music distribution without needing technical expertise.

Additional features: RouteNote offers various optional features like pre-saves on Spotify, YouTube Content ID monetization, release scheduling, and advanced analytics. These can be helpful for musicians who want to further promote their music and gain insights into their audience.

Free vs. Premium options: RouteNote provides both a free and a Premium service. The free plan is suitable for basic needs, while the Premium plan offers additional features and higher royalty share for a monthly fee. This flexibility allows musicians to choose the option that best suits their budget and goals.

What are the Largest Music Streaming Services in South Korea with Market Share Numbers

The largest music streaming services in South Korea are:

  1. Melon (38%)
  2. Genie Music (27.9%)
  3. YouTube Music (19.6%)
  4. Flo (13%)
  5. Vibe (3.9%)
  6. Kakao Music (3.4%)
  7. Bugs Music (1.9%)
  8. Apple Music (1.2%)

These eight music streaming services account for over 98% of the total market share in South Korea. Melon is the clear market leader, with a market share of nearly 40%. Genie Music and YouTube Music are also very popular, with market shares of over 20% each. Flo, Vibe, and Kakao Music have smaller market shares, but they are still significant players in the market. Bugs Music and Apple Music have the smallest market shares, but they are still growing in popularity.

What are the Largest Music Streaming Services in Thailand with Market Share Numbers

Here are the largest music streaming services in Thailand and their market share numbers in 2023:

RankMusic Streaming ServiceMarket Share (%)
1Spotify55%
2JOOX25%
3Apple Music15%
4Deezer5%
5YouTube Music0.1%

Spotify is the clear market leader in Thailand, with a market share of over 50%. This is due in part to its strong brand recognition and its wide selection of music and podcasts. JOOX and Apple Music are the second and third largest players, respectively, with market shares of 25% and 15%. Deezer and YouTube Music have smaller market shares of 5% and 0.1%, respectively.

Who is the Current CEO of Universal Music Group

Lucian Charles Grainge, the CEO of Universal Music Group (UMG), was born on February 29, 1960. As of today, October 4, 2023, he is 63 years old.

Grainge is a British-American record executive who has been the CEO of UMG since 2011. He is the longest-serving CEO of a major music company in history and has been credited with transforming the music industry into a digital one by embracing streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music.

Under Grainge’s leadership, UMG has become the world’s largest music company, with a market share of over 30%. The company has also become a major player in the music publishing industry, acquiring the rights to some of the most popular songs of all time.

Grainge is a highly respected figure in the music industry, and he has been named one of the most powerful people in the business by Billboard magazine on multiple occasions. He is also a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Rolling Stones fans in Japan can now get their rocks off at the new Universal Music retail superstore in Tokyo.

The store, called “Tokyouniversal Music”, is dedicated to serving music superfans, and it features a wide range of Rolling Stones merchandise, including clothing, accessories, and home goods. It also has a listening room where fans can listen to the Stones’ music on high-quality equipment.

The store is located in the Harajuku district of Tokyo, which is known for its trendy and youthful atmosphere. It is expected to be a popular destination for both Japanese and international Rolling Stones fans.

The store’s opening comes at a time when the Rolling Stones are still enjoying a great deal of popularity in Japan. The band’s most recent tour of Japan was a sell-out, and their albums continue to sell well.

The opening of the new Rolling Stones store is a sign of the band’s continued popularity in Japan, and it is also a sign of the growing popularity of music superstores in the country.