SoundCloud recently released a new version of its iPhone app and it’s already garnered criticism from artists.
The new app was designed to create a more simple, “one thumb” interface for users. While it certainly looks good, a range of features have been lost in the update, many of which made the service appealing to artists in the first place.
Users of the new app can no longer see who is following their profiles, or who they themselves are following. And the only way to find someone else’s music now is to find it in your “stream” of the latest music or perform a search. Likewise all the comments functions, as well as the ability to see who has “liked” your music is gone. The only metrics left for artists to see about how their music is performing is the play count of a track.
One of the most important features for musicians who collaborate–the ability to share private tracks with another user–is missing as well.
As to be expected, many artists have expressed major disappointment for the the new update, claiming that they've been completely overlooked in the new update. Many have vowed to cancel their paid professional memberships with the company.
The timing of this app does not bode well for SoundCloud, which is also in the news for striking a deal with the major record label Universal Music that allows the industry giant to mine data from SoundCloud’s user behavior and to regulate/delete artists accounts without discretion.
SoundCloud has quietly become the largest hub for underground music online. But as the new app restricts key features for artists, it’s possible that many will seek out new services to share their music like Bandcamp.
Perhaps SoundCloud will release an update of the app soon with some of the missing features restored. But for now, the general consensus is disappointment.
Make Pro Songs
There are 6 unique value-points inside the Sage Audio membership, so let’s go over each one so you can decide if it’s the right fit for you.
1. 20 Free Mastered Songs Per Year
- 20 free mastered songs per year with your own dedicated professional mastering engineer so you can get all your mixes sounding like professional songs.
- You’ll get your own dedicated Sage Audio mastering engineer to create custom masters that are specific to you and sound exactly how you want.
- Unlimited revisions with your dedicated Sage Audio mastering engineer. As a standard of our service, we are not happy until you are happy with the sound of your masters.
- All masters are delivered as commercial, industry-standard high-resolution 24-bit HD WAV masters so they will sound clean and clear on every platform.
2. Unlimited Mixing Feedback
- Unlimited mixing feedback so you can quickly improve your mixes fast.
- This is highly valuable - giving you access to a thriving community of mixing engineers who can provide you with feedback about what you can improve first before sending your mix to be professionally mastered.
3. Sage Audio University™ (SAU) — (Mixing and Mastering Education Platform)
- SAU is a modern audio engineering education platform that includes in-depth mixing and mastering course curriculums that match the new music industry.
- SAU is designed for every experience level, ranging from first-time mixing engineers to advanced engineers. The techniques and concepts taught can be applied to any DAW to create industry-leading mixes without expensive software or plugins - and free plugin alternatives are suggested throughout every course curriculum.
- SAU course curriculums include Start-to-Finish session walkthrough lessons for multiple genres so you can follow along with your preferred genre.
- SAU Certification Document, which can be downloaded and showcased on your website, social channels, and portfolio for as long as you remain a member.
- Get first access to all future SAU course curriculums to continually build and refine your mixing and mastering skills as the industry evolves.
4. Sage Audio Community
- The Sage Audio community is a tight-knit community of passionate audio engineers that can provide you with real-world mixing feedback, discussions, mix competitions, networking, collaborations, and more.
5. 700+ In-depth Sage Audio Mixing and Mastering Videos
- Access 700+ in-depth Sage Audio mixing and mastering videos - curated and organized into playlists so you can take a deep dive into all aspects of audio engineering with thousands of hours of concise, expertly crafted Sage Audio videos to continually improve your mixing and mastering skills at your own pace.
6. 70+ GB of Curated Sage Audio Downloadable Content, Including:
- 36 multitrack sessions spanning multiple genres for mixing practice.
- 57 un-mastered mixes spanning multiple genres for mastering practice.
- 62 Recommended Free Plugins List (vetted, tested, and approved, so you don’t have to).
- 39 Recommended Paid Plugins List (vetted, tested, and approved, so you don’t have to).
- 58 Sage Audio custom plugin presets to improve your mixes and masters.
- Sage Audio Membership Badge to showcase on your website, social channels, and portfolio.