Music streaming service

[FNG]

Any recommendations on the best music streaming service?

Leaning towards Spotify...talk me in/out of it!!

 

[GAD]

Spotify is what all the kids use. I know because I pay for the family plan that only they use.

 

[FNG]

Taylor Swift isn't on Spotify so that's a serious negative...

 

[shihan]

I use Apple music. I like it a lot. Very deep catalogue, with some really obscure stuff To excite an old blues enthusiast like me. Search function works well, and it’s algorithm choices are pretty right on.

 

[sailingshoes72]

One of my brothers likes Spotify, because they have a huge back catalogue and a lot of out-of-print music. My other brother listens to more current releases, and likes Apple. He thinks that their “Lossless” software has better fidelity. All three of us are in our 60’s.

I subscribed to Apple about six months ago because I was already in their eco-system. I have been happy so far. I like having the opportunity to listen to such a wide variety of music. Before that I just ordered CDs from Amazon.

Will you be listening thru earbuds, headphones or a home Hi Fi system?

 

[FNG]

Hmmm...Apple...I have iTunes, would be nice to be able to listen to my library.

I plan on using a Bluetooth speaker, but didn't consider ear buds. Good recommendations..time to read up a little.

 

[lungimsam]

Someone told me there used to be a Freebird channel (in radio days) that only played Freebird 24/7
Not sure if true or not.

 

[DrumBob]

I don't use any of them, because I object to the way they poorly compensate artists whose music they play.

 

[Coop47]

I've been using Spotify for a few years. I find it a lot easier to use than Apple and a much larger catalog than Tidal.

I don't use any of them, because I object to the way they poorly compensate artists whose music they play.

That's a fair criticism. Most of what I listen to is stuff I've already bought in a different format. I support my favorite current artists (many of whom I've discovered through streaming) by going to shows and buying merch, but I still have a queasy feeling about it.

 

[gjmalcyon]

I don't use any of them, because I object to the way they poorly compensate artists whose music they play.

This.

Royalty rates are less than $0.01 per play. The only winners in the streaming game are the streaming services and the megastars of the music industry.

I do listen to and buy from Bandcamp. Here's a nice article from NPR comparing and contrasting Bandcamp and Spotify:

A Tale Of Two Ecosystems: On Bandcamp, Spotify And The Wide-Open Future

There's Bandcamp, beloved by artists. There's Spotify, very well-liked by listeners. And then there's that big question mark. The artist Damon Krukowski takes a look.

www.npr.org

I run a personal streaming service using Intel NUC PC based music servers holding my music collection (all purchased as physical media or hi-res downloads). I'm at 28,000+ files.

 

[Boneman]

For me it's SiriusXM if you're going to pay, Pandora if you want free. And YouTube when you want to dial up any song immediately.

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

SiriusXM for me but 98% of the time I'm listening to the NASCAR channel!

 

[Opsimath]

SiriusXM for me but 98% of the time I'm listening to the NASCAR channel!

NASCAR has a channel? What do they do there?

 

[FNG]

This.

Royalty rates are less than $0.01 per play. The only winners in the streaming game are the streaming services and the megastars of the music industry.

I do listen to and buy from Bandcamp. Here's a nice article from NPR comparing and contrasting Bandcamp and Spotify:

A Tale Of Two Ecosystems: On Bandcamp, Spotify And The Wide-Open Future

There's Bandcamp, beloved by artists. There's Spotify, very well-liked by listeners. And then there's that big question mark. The artist Damon Krukowski takes a look.

www.npr.org

I run a personal streaming service using Intel NUC PC based music servers holding my music collection (all purchased as physical media or hi-res downloads). I'm at 28,000+ files.

I think the real winners are the record labels.

If I don't stream how do I listen to music? CDs? Albums?

GJ, if you stream music then only you can listen to it?

 

[FNG]

NASCAR has a channel? What do they do there?

Talk about NASCAR.....24/7.

 

[GAD]

Taylor Swift isn't on Spotify so that's a serious negative...

She is now. It was her refusing to be on Spotify that helped to get better rates for artists on Spotify. They’re still not great, but they’re better than they were.

I know way too much about Taylor Swift.

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

Talk about NASCAR.....24/7.

In a little more detail, during the week they have regular daily shows with regular hosts every day. They of course discuss what is going on in NASCAR as well as have fans, drivers, crew chiefs, and other NASCAR personnel call in and/or be interviewed.

On race weekends they have pre-race shows then broadcast either the MRN or PRN race broadcast depending what track they are at. Then they have post-race coverage for a few hours with additional interviews you won't get on TV. They also have fans call in and give their opinion of the race.

If you are a serious NASCAR fan, it's addicting and a must have! Channel 90!

In all fairness, SiriusXM has channels for most Sports, Music, Politics, and everything else under the sun:

 

[gjmalcyon]

I think the real winners are the record labels.

If I don't stream how do I listen to music? CDs? Albums?

GJ, if you stream music then only you can listen to it?

Here are the ways I listen. This works for me because I've built a large music library over the past 40+ years, and spent the time ripping music into digital formats that I can copy from device to device:

1). Portable music player - I finally have a portable device that can use 1Tb SD cards, so I can bring all my ripped music to my backyard "It's summer and I'm in a reclining lawn chair with a good cigar and a nice bottle of wine" Sunday evening headphone listening sessions.

2). My outdoor cookout stereo rig - portable music player, DAC, and amplified near-field monitors for those times I have a backyard full of people I am subjecting to my esoteric musical tastes.

3). My Plex server running on my home PC. This is accessible with and plays back through the decent Samsung TV/soundbar combo in my family room. It allows She Who Must Be Obeyed easy access to all of her music that I've ripped over the years. The Plex server is accessible to other "network aware" devices like our Roku box, Chromecast, etc. Plex servers are also accessible from the "outside" (i.e., outside my home network), but I have not configured it. If I do that, then I have my music available anywhere I have an internet connection.

4). My Intel NUC PC music server/DAC system running in my work office.

5). My Intel NUC PC/DAC main stereo rig in my living room.

 

[Rocky]

She is now. It was her refusing to be on Spotify that helped to get better rates for artists on Spotify. They’re still not great, but they’re better than they were.

I know way too much about Taylor Swift.

Spotify, arguably the most popular music streaming service, compensates artists $0.00348 per hit, or $3,480 for 1 million plays. Singers will have to get at least 362 thousand clicks to see $1,260 hit their bank accounts. To get $3,714, artists should aim for around 1.07 million plays per month. (October 13, 2020)

This is how much top 7 music streaming services really pay artists - Atlas VPN

Atlas VPN reports that in 2019, music streaming accounts accumulated $7.1 billion, or 63.6% of all recorded music revenue, which reached $11.1 billion.

atlasvpn.com

 

[7GuildsandanSG]

I'm heavily into the Amazon ecosystem with Alexa in my house and phone (Android), Amazon shopping, and Amazon Prime Video so I stick with Amazon Music for that reason. I've been happy with it. My daughter streams more than I do and she loves it.