Spotify Invites (for U.S. residents)

Looks like my brother was invited today without special invites, thanks anyway Alex 

Henry Plainview wrote:   Windhawk wrote: As far as streaming quality goes, you'll need a special interest to notice any dramatic differences in sound between 128 kb and 320 kb tracks. I'm all for hating audiophiles and their ridiculous claims, but this is really not true. I can tell, and my "set-up" would anger any audiophile.

I didn't say there weren't any differences, but that the differences aren't dramatic ;-)

For dramatic differences, try listening to a 64 kb/s file, or a 56 kb/s one.

 

Windhawk wrote: As far as streaming quality goes, you'll need a special interest to notice any dramatic differences in sound between 128 kb and 320 kb tracks.

I'm all for hating audiophiles and their ridiculous claims, but this is really not true. I can tell, and my "set-up" would anger any audiophile.

What many forget is that the artists doesn't get anything from airplay in the US. FM radio pay out exactly zero to the artists. Spoitfy taking over for radio for many music consumers will mean that the artists gets something where they got zero previously. Additionally, as fees for radio play where these are applied (i.e. in most of the world outside of the US) these aren't paid out directly to the artists and copyright holders. Instead, they are divided up according to playtime statistics for the most played artists, with a minor percentage set aside for those with limited exposure. In short: For most indie artists radio play means zero money any way. Spotify does rectify that.

In the future I think we'll see a rise in subscription fees. A probable solution is that artists and labels gets the chance to label certain tracks for promotional purposes, and that the cheaper subscription rates would include the streaming of usch tracks at various intervals. And with only a much more highly priced subscription giving the listeners the free for all options you have today.

As far as streaming quality goes, you'll need a special interest to notice any dramatic differences in sound between 128 kb and 320 kb tracks. Besides that, even at 10 bucks a month having easy access to all that music is dead cheap, no matter how you look at it.

By the way, from what I hear and read most artists don't make much, if any, money at the concerts they have. Unless they have reached a broader popularity threshold that is. For the greater majority, money earnt will be limited to whatever CD and t-shirt sales they have after a concert.

 

harmonium.ro wrote: Negoba wrote: I keep pinching myself...what's the catch? Rumours say that songwriters earn close to nothing with Spotify's scheme, and that Spotify is in fact owned and set up by the major labels who want to counter the illegal filesharing services with this "too-good-to-be-true" and economically un-viable scheme, so they don't really care about the songwriters not getting much, their stake is much higher.

Indeed, it's even worse than Last.fm, surprisingly enough. And the streaming rate and transparency about that streaming rate leaves a lot to be desired. 

Andyman1125 wrote: A Person wrote: I was wondering what the waiting period would be.  I was emailed in ~a week  Alex do you have any more invites left? My brother wants to try it.

Sure thing, still 28 invites left!

Just PM me his e-mail.

Windhawk wrote: If this company is like most others, they'll see to it that this service gets to be an essential part of your life. And then the cost will creep upwards. In time possibly adding some additional services as well. Cloud storage for your owned music for instance. At a cost.

I agree. Fortunately, Spotify has yet to raise the price since the service has so far been at constant rate of 9,99 (or 99 Swedish Kronas). One of the best features for me is the fact that I can add my own (previously purchased) music to my account and then transfer these non-Spotify tracks to my playlist on my phone!
In other words, people who complain about the absence of Tool, Pink Floyd and Metallica have nothing to complain about, that is if they already own those albums (which I assume they should).

Edited by Rune2000 - July 28 2011 at 01:05

A Person wrote: I was wondering what the waiting period would be.

Previous to Spotify, I bought alot of music. Some of it I'd listen to 4-5 times and barely touch it again. Even at $10 a month, this is going to save me money.

I only waited about a week, got Spotify 2 days ago and premium last night.

Oh, I remember one of those from a few years back (oh the memories!). 

It took me a few month to get an invite that way.