If you are in the market for an alternative to iTunes, then you may want to check out Spotify. It’s easy to find, it’s free and it has the potential to take off.
Apple Music
Apple Music and Spotify are two of the most popular music services out there. The streaming services have different features and user bases, though. However, they’re both worth looking into.
While Apple Music integrates with iTunes and supports the Amazon Echo ecosystem, Spotify offers some useful voice activation features. Users can search for songs or create playlists with their voice, and they can also play songs using Siri.
Both services offer different levels of paid subscriptions. If you want the full experience, you’ll have to pay for the Premium version. That’s not to say that the free version isn’t good. It just isn’t as nice.
Both services offer access to hundreds of Apple-curated music stations, which can be a fun way to discover new tunes. But one of the best features is Discover Weekly. This automatically generates a list of hours of new music each week.
There’s also the Connect feature, which lets artists connect with fans and share messages. Like MySpace in its heyday, Connect is a great way to discover new bands.
Spotify also allows users to download tracks to listen to offline. To do this, you’ll need to connect your Spotify account to your desktop, and synchronize your music library. You can download a maximum of 100,000 tracks. For that price, you’ll be able to play your tracks on up to five devices, even when you don’t have an Internet connection.
In addition to music, Apple Music has an extensive catalog of podcasts, audiobooks, live events, and radio stations. These are all presented in a simple to navigate format that’s easy to follow on a mobile device.
Apple’s search feature isn’t as advanced as Spotify’s, but it’s still a useful feature. There are filters, and you can use a lyric phrase to narrow your search. And you can search your personal library or create a smart playlist to help you discover your next favorite song.
Though it’s not as pretty as the Spotify mobile app, the Spotify desktop app is much more intuitive. Several of the features can be accessed from the three tabs: Browse, Stations, and Listen Now.
Similar discovery features
One of the best features of both Apple Music and Spotify is the discovery feature. While Apple provides several options, including live radio, playlists, and podcasts, Spotify is much more device-agnostic. The platform’s shuffle button works on any device, and you can even use a Spotify desktop application.
However, there are two major differences between the two services. First, Spotify offers a wider selection of songs, ranging from contemporary artists to hand-picked playlists of the best hits of the year. Second, the platform is more user-friendly. Its interface is clean and uncluttered, which makes managing playlists a breeze.
Spotify is also known for its wide array of podcasts. In February 2021, it added thousands of new tracks to its library every day. Additionally, the company acquired a couple of notable podcast publishers, including The Ringer and Anchor. And, if you’re a fan of music and/or podcasts, you can also follow your favorite artists and listen to their new releases.
While both Spotify and Apple have great features, Apple Music actually has the most music. You can choose from 90 million tracks, including a number of exclusives. Plus, the service can be accessed on iOS and macOS devices.
If you’re looking for a way to discover new tunes, you may want to try the Spotify shuffle button. Alternatively, you can check out the Apple Music ‘For You’ tab, which displays what you’re friends are listening to. But, the Spotify’s best feature is its suggestion algorithm.
For starters, the iTunes and Spotify apps can both be downloaded for free. Both platforms allow you to share playlists and download a limited number of songs for offline playback. On the other hand, Spotify limits the number of songs you can download to ten thousand per device.
Unlike Spotify, Apple has no search by lyrics feature, so it can’t claim to be the best at finding new tunes. However, it does have a nifty ‘Discover Weekly’ playlist that’s a weekly selection of the most popular tracks you’re probably not familiar with.
Another cool thing about the Spotify app is the ‘Listen Now’ tab, which acts like the home page of the Spotify platform. This feature is similar to the ‘Music’ tab in the Apple Music app, but it gives you a list of recommended songs based on your past listening habits.
Revenue from independent catalogs
The sale of a recorded music catalogue is a lucrative business. But there are many factors that must be considered before a purchase can be made.
For example, a buyer must determine whether a composition’s revenue streams are diverse enough to justify a purchase. Streaming and performance have been the primary source of income for publishers in recent years. However, synchronization and mechanicals are also valuable streams of revenue.
Another consideration is whether the compositions have a long history of earnings. If the compositions have had successful performances in the past, chart activity bonus monies will not be applicable. A composition with a long history of earnings will be valued more.
The value of a music catalog can be calculated by applying a discounted-cash-flow method or by estimating its value based on annual royalty stream. Depending on the seller’s preferences, the purchase price can range from five to 15. During a bidding war, the multiple can be higher.
The timing of a catalogue sale is important. It is beneficial for both the buyer and the seller to acquire a catalog at an opportune time.
There are many types of buyers, including music publishers and venture capital funds. Each has its own way of acquiring catalogs. Some sellers provide prospective buyers with a prospectus, a sales document that provides information on the current status of the catalog, future prospects for revenue, and possible hits.
The buyer may also be able to select its own foreign representatives. The seller’s contract with its foreign subpublishers is also reviewed. In addition to providing positive information about the music industry and the songwriters and producers represented, a catalogue seller will also provide details on the chart activity and potential future hits.
Having a deep understanding of the industry and the trends influencing its future is essential for a reasonable estimate of a catalogue’s value. As the industry continues to adapt to changing technologies and tastes, the revenue stream for a music catalog will continue to fluctuate.
OneRepublic’s recent deal with KKR indicates a shift in the way that catalogues are being acquired. Unlike the deals that typically involve publishers, this new type of non-publisher buyer has been backed by venture capital funds.
Licensing agreements with the major record labels
Having a licensing agreement is important for artists. In order to get their music out into the public, they must pay a fee to license it. However, the agreements can vary. They can be exclusive, non-exclusive, or co-exclusive. A license is a legal agreement in which the owner of the master recording grants the licensee the rights to use the music.
Licensing deals are beneficial for labels. Record companies get the opportunity to sell albums to stores and streaming music services, and they get royalties for every sale. The label also gets to deduct the cost of encoding, uploading, and distributing the music.
However, these agreements do have some drawbacks. Most record label contracts require the artist to give up the master rights to the record company. After the term ends, the right to the master recording reverts to the artist.
If the master recording is for use in a film, producers must obtain permission from the copyright owner. These deals are also known as synchronization licenses. For example, the Fox network may want to license a song to CBS, but can’t simultaneously license it to Spotify.
When a producer is remixing music, he must acquire a license. He can either license the song to another label or pay a license fee to the original label. This allows the producer to use the music in different mediums and formats.
Having a music license is important for anyone who wants to cover or sample a song. It’s also necessary for producers who want to license backing tracks. Often, this license requires permission from both the publisher and the master recording owner.
When looking for a license, it’s best to consult a music licensing attorney. With knowledge, it’s easier to navigate the licensing process. You can also ask for specific terms and conditions.
Many companies recommend using metadata in digital music files. Often, a master record has to be encoded in WAV format to allow a licensor to legally use it. Also, the licensee must sign a usage agreement when he’s uploading a track.
While there are many types of licenses, the simplest form is an exclusive agreement. Typically, artists must agree to a deal with a record label for up to five years. There is a fee for this, but the music is protected.
