Machines Replacing Artists: Sony Just Created Two Pop Songs Using Artificial Intelligence
The machines will replace humans. But can artificial intelligence replace artists? Maybe it’s time to worry?
Sony announced last week at they have created two brand new pop songs. While this doesn’t appear to be a great feat at first, they’ve actually done this using artificial intelligence. Check out the first song titled Daddy’s Car created in the style of The Beatles.
Who Are the Biggest SoundCloud to MP3 Downloaders?
Despite its inherent flaws and those spelling its imminent doom, SoundCloud doesn’t appear to be going anywhere for the foreseeable future. And, when it comes to the roiling debates over stream rippers, looks like SoundCloud has been totally left out. So who are the biggest services to convert and download files from SoundCloud to MP3? For this list, I’ve used a link to an unnamed, uncopyrighted SoundCloud file uploaded by me. As always, we do warn Digital Music News readers against downloading any copyrighted material.
Apple Music recently announced it had 17 million subscribers, compared to Spotify's 40 million. The recent changes to Apple Music brought on by iOS 7 have been well documented, but the addition of two new personalized playlists -- My Favorites Mix and My New Music Mix -- shows that it's paying attention to one of its chief rivals' core strengths: customized, algorithm-based playlists.
RIAA, IFPI, and BPI File Lawsuit Against Top YouTube to MP3 Site
In a joint effort, The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) have taken Youtube-mp3.org to court. The RIAA announced the action against the service on their own website today. The lawsuit was filed in a federal court in California.
Dash Radio has found a way to keep both camps of listeners happy—those looking for explicit unedited versions of songs and those who prefer the “clean” edits. The online radio network has reportedly developed a new filter that lets listeners switch between the two song versions in real time.
The Department of Justice is still weighing whether to appeal a federal court decision throwing out its new 100% “full-work” licensing requirement on BMI—a ruling that’s likely to carry over to ASCAP as well. At issue: There’s a group of music users with a message for the feds: fight it.
Playlists have overtaken albums as a format for music listening
Single track listening remained the dominant format with 46% of total listening time, although that figure is down 6% from 2015, in which it accounted for 52% overall.
Elsewhere, the report found that YouTube has emerged as the most commonly used source for audio content, with 42% of respondents claiming that they used the platform to listen to audio for five minutes or more at least once a week. Pandora was the second most regularly used source on the list with 31%, while CDs lagged behind at 22%.
Why The Streaming Business Model Is Broken
So reports are claiming more and more users are embracing the subscription streaming service. As a matter of fact, Spotify just passed the 40M milestone. Should we actually celebrate? Is this good news for musicians, creators and all copyright holders? Or is this just a revenue growth for Daniel Ek and his fellow startups moguls?
So here’s the deal: streaming services are gaining more audience everyday, scoring more subscribers.
Report: iHeart Readying Music Streaming Options
Spotify and Apple Music should get ready for some company. iHeartMedia may have plans to jump into the streaming audio arena. Following weeks of speculation, the radio company is reportedly set to unveil a new paid digital music service this week at the iHeart Music Festival in Las Vegas, the New York Post reports.
Publishing Industry Praises BMI Consent-Decree Decision -- But Outcome Remains Unclear
While the music publishing industry is effusively praising Judge Louis Stanton’s ruling Friday -- which overturned the Department of Justice’s mandate that ASCAP and BMI must enter into full-works licensing -- the decision still leaves many matters unresolved. In his decision, Stanton said, “The consent decree neither bars fractional licensing nor requires full-works licensing.” (Since 1941, ASCAP and BMI have been governed by separate but similar consent decrees.) The DOJ’s controversial ruling on June 30 declared the opposite: that the consent decrees mandate full-works licensing (also known as 100 percent licensing).
iTunes Music Downloads Imploding: Down 22.1% In 2016
Streaming is surging, but it’s coming at a heavy cost: iTunes music downloads.
For the first half of this year, the music industry has been enjoying consistent revenue growths——, thanks in large part to licensing deals with streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Pandora. The RIAA noted the emergence of paid subscriptions as a primary revenue driver for the United States music industry. Everything seems to be going well, right? Well, maybe not for digital music downloads.
BMI Prevails Over Department of Justice In 100% Licensing Dispute
In a Friday decision, federal judge Judge Louis Stanton issued an order rejecting a recent US Department of Justice (DOJ) interpretation of a consent decree applying to both BMI and ASCAP. Critically, the DOJ had ordered that BMI, as well as fellow performance rights organization ASCAP, enable 100% licensing of all works within one year.
Amazon and Pandora Gear Up to Challenge the Streaming Landscape
The retail giant and Internet radio leader look to shake up the competition -- and widen their already large audiences -- by offering lower-cost subscription deals.
With all the attention paid to Apple Music, Spotify and the streaming wars of 2016, industry insiders point to two more fast-approaching entries: Amazon and Pandora.
Universal, Sony Team To Launch Low Cost Streaming Music Service
Sony and Universal Music have quietly teamed to launch their own budget streaming music service. Extending the popular NOW music compilation brand, Now That's What I Call Music+ will offer streams of hit songs at a budget price.
How to Make a Website: The Ultimate Guide for Bands & Musicians
If you want to know how to make a website, you’ve come to the right place. This guide covers everything, from design to domains, to hosting to WordPress, not to mention the critical creative and strategic thinking required to make a winning site.Before we jump in on how to make a website that completely rocks, DMN would like to give a huge shout to HostGator, who made this review possible. If you want great, affordable hosting for your webpage, plus a bunch of other great services and support, you owe it to yourself as an artist to put HostGator on the shortlist.
Songwriting Group Sues Department of Justice Over Licensing Mandate
The Songwriters of North America (SONA), a grassroots advocacy organization of 200 working songwriters and composers, along with three individually named songwriters, have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice over its music licensing statutes.
Revamped Apple Music, iTunes 12.5.1 Released
Apple released its promised revamp of Apple Music which puts data-driven music discovery front and center, alongside a new version of
iTunes. Both add features that make Apple's music services more competitive.
Pandora Signs Direct Deals With
UMG, Sony, 30 Indies Paving Way For New Music Service - WMG Last Holdout
US-centric internet radio service Pandora is getting one step closer to launching a subscription streaming service by securing direct licensing agreements for sound recordings with indie labels' licensing agency Merlin Network, two major companies - Sony Music and Universal Music Group - alongside digital aggregator The Orchard and over 30 other independent labels and distributors. The only key repertoire missing is that of Warner Music Group.
A Guide to the Department of Justice Ruling on “100% Licensing” — MUSIC • TECHNOLOGY • POLICY
The recent ruling by the U.S. Department of Justice in the ASCAP and BMI consent decrees sent everyone scratching their heads as to what do we do now? The authors provide a helpful chart for songwriters, motion picture and television producers and other music users to see how bad it really is.
Songwriters: Why Are Your Rates So Low? Just Follow the Cash
Digital Music News and Mark Mulligan reported that Spotify paid the three major labels “MINIMUM GUARANTEES” equal to $144 million for just one three-month period in 2016.
That $144 million equates to an extra 12% share of Spotify’s revenue – above the labels’ 55% base royalty rate. It’s not even clear that Spotify could come up with more cash to pay publishers such guarantees. Total royalty (and guarantee) payments already account for 82% of revenue. The well is dry.
The Album Release Re-Imagined In A Time Of Atomic Consumption
Music-tech writer Cherie Hu examines how the music industry can alter its current ways and restructure its marketing strategy by tapping in the atomic consumption habits of today's media users.
3 Things Fans Will Eagerly Give You Money For
While most artists have superfans who are eager to support them, these fans aren't always provided with enough opportunities to do so. Here we look at three different areas where fans are eager to shell out cash in exchange for special access to artists and their merchandise.
Pandora, Amazon Hope to Out-Stream Spotify, Apple.
The streaming music field is about to get more crowded, as two big-name internet companies prepare to launch their own budget-minded subscription music services that are half the cost of other established players. Both Pandora and Amazon are expected to unveil $5 per month ad-free streaming plans in the coming weeks.
How Record And Upload 360 Videos To YouTube, Facebook
360 video, more accessible and easier to create than either virtual or augmented reality, can still give artists a unique and engaging way of communicating with fans. Here we take a closer look at 360 video and how it can be implemented into your overall video strategy.
Streaming Playlist Data: 10 Things You Need To Know
Many labels have begun tapping in to streaming playlist data, but much of said data requires some interpretation before it can be useful. Here Sammy Andrews debunks several streaming data myths, and works to explain what you can hope to learn from such information.
5 Habits Musicians Need To Break
While bad habits are to be expected in some areas of a person's life, such vices in your musical life can at best be a hindrance to your career, or at worst bring it to a grinding halt. Here we look at five bad habits musicians must break.
Are Streaming Music Services Competing With Record Labels?
As streaming services continue to pour more and more resources into original content, they could be precipitating fundamental shifts in the music industry, with a particularly strong impact on conventional record labels.
Which Music Streaming Services Will Survive the Year?
While many services claim to offer exclusive features, many will have catalogs that offer pretty much the same features. As such, the streaming service that offers the perfect mix of recommendations, number of songs, elegance, range and quality will survive 2016. Let’s review six of the frontrunners to see which one stands the best chance?
Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal Paying $1.6 Million a DAY In Major Label Guarantees
If Spotify crashed tomorrow and couldn’t deliver a single song, they’d still own more than $1 million in guaranteed payments to three major recording labels, according to financial data just published. Welcome to the murky — and extremely expensive — world of major label advances.
Texas Governor Backs Songwriters in DOJ Letter.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is aligning himself with songwriters in a letter to the Department of Justice. Abbott tells Attorney General Loretta Lynch that he believes the DOJ made a “legally flawed” decision last month when it announced ASCAP and BMI will now be required to offer 100% licensing as part of its review of the consent decrees.
This infographic is intended to visualize the world of General Licensing and how proposed changes could affect songwriters and music licensees. For more information, please check out the proposed SXSW 2017 Panel, “General Licensing: Where Are My Royalties?” (Votes are also encouraged; voting ends 9/2/16.)
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