SoundCloud is an inexhaustible source of new music. Soundcloud sound quality research How to use the soundcloud app

Soundcloud (SoundCloud) what is it and how to use the site?

In short, this is the world's most popular hosting of audio recordings.

Content:

History of creation

Initially, the resource was conceived as place of promotion for young musicians.

What attracts him?

Over the past few years, the platform has gained popularity in Runet. Also, the site has become the main place to find talented people.

Popular record labels are constantly on the lookout for top channels and fast growing pages.

Thus, they look for potential stars and offer them a contract.

For musicians, it's simple and fast way get recognition, as well as communicate with your fans, find out their opinions, wishes and comments.

For ordinary users, this is a place to search for unique music and.

Beginning of work

Here you can upload or download audio tracks. The following formats are available:

• WAVE;
• AIFF;

Other services only support standard .mp3 files, and if a person uploads a song in any other format, the sites will automatically convert the file.

Thus, the sound quality is lost.

A key function is the ability to distribute music not only within the cloud platform, but also on forums.

This feature is possible due to the use of a unique URL for each track. The owner of the song can quickly share the composition, attracting more fans from different sources.

Use to store playlists

Many of them use SoudCloud as their streaming service for listening. , which means you can access your files from any gadget.

You only need an internet connection.

If you are only using the service to download, store, and listen to songs, please note the copyright policy.

If you upload a song not for general use to your playlist (the author allowed it to be played only on his page), the audio will be quickly removed from your page, and you can get banned for repeated violation of the service rules.

In the search options, select the item shown in the figure to get unlimited access to the file:

SoundCloud is a social platform designed to distribute music. A well-known service, the key feature of which is the ability to distribute each composition separately using a special URL. In fact, the platform has so many opportunities that it would be too long to list them all. But SoundCloud still has a drawback. This disadvantage lies in the fact that all music can be listened to only if you have access to the Internet. The platform does not have standard tools for downloading music to be able to listen to songs offline. Fortunately, third-party developers are not sitting idle. Therefore, today we will talk about an application that allows you to download music from SoundCloud to your iOS device for further listening offline without access to the Web.

There are several ways to get music on your iPhone or iPad. Probably the most affordable is to buy music from iTunes. Firstly, it must be admitted that the prices in the Russian music store are quite loyal. Secondly, everything is simple: a song or an entire album is almost instantly downloaded to an iOS device, you just need to enter your Apple ID password. Accordingly, a question may arise that sounds something like this: why use a third-party application to download music from SoundCloud when everything is already fine?

Comparing SoundCloud and iTunes is not entirely correct. With all the variety of the music collection available for purchase in the latter, there are much more musical compositions available on SoundCloud from lesser-known, but by no means less talented performers. Many of their songs are not available on iTunes, which makes their purchase simply impossible. Therefore, let's try to use a special application from third-party developers, designed specifically to ensure that your favorite music, regardless of your Internet connection, is always with you. To sum up: the application gives you access to the largest music database in the world (at least one of them), from where you can download whatever you want. Later, if the need arises, it will be possible to transfer tracks via iTunes to a standard player via iTunes, but the player in the application itself is quite good.

No registration in the application is required. You don't even need to log in. Immediately after downloading, you can proceed to direct use. The side menu in this case is a list of all available genres and categories. If you wish, you can use the built-in search, which is located here. You can search for any query: the name of the song, the name of the artist or group, and so on. The search will do everything. Popular music in iTunes has a special category, as well as other trending music that is popular.

Immediately after downloading the application to your iOS device, you will receive twenty-five coins. Despite the fact that the application itself is available for free, you will not be able to download all the music from SoundCloud for free. Each song, as in any store, costs a certain amount of coins. Seems to be, most of compositions are sold at a price of ten coins. But there are also cheaper, for example, for two. If necessary, coins can be purchased using in-app purchases: 400 coins cost 99 rubles (you can buy from 100 coins for 33 rubles). In principle, not so much when calculating that 400 coins is, for example, 40 songs, which can be equated to about two music albums. An unlimited number of coins can be bought for 3290 rubles - impressive. By the way, you can get a certain number of coins for free, however, you will have to install sponsored applications - for each application you can get a certain reward: from 1 to 204 coins. You can also get ten coins by telling your friends about Sound Downloader on social networks.

There are big doubts about the legality of the music being sold: after all, downloading for coins is a purchase, not a simple download. Therefore, to use this service to buy music or not is up to you, the decision will lie on your conscience (and the conscience of the developers, of course). Still, what you can buy on iTunes is better to buy on iTunes - so, most likely, it will be more correct.

Concerning additional features applications, then it boasts a rather nice and convenient player. As you know, uploading music to third party application, you will not be able to transfer songs to the standard player. Therefore, the player in such an application is simply necessary. Another nice feature is the ability to create your own playlists, something many music apps lack. It is not clear why some developers forget about such an opportunity, which is quite popular among the target audience.

All in all, Sound Downloader is definitely useful application for everyone who can't live without music. Everything is thought out in it, so there will probably not be any serious comments. The only thing, of course, could have been a little better to work on appearance several sections. It would be time, of course, to launch SoundCloud's own music store so that everything is official and centralized. For now, unfortunately, that's the only way. To the delight of happy owners, the Sound Downloader app supports the new iPhone 6 and iPhone Plus.

Name:
Publisher/Developer: APPiarist
Price: Is free
In-App Purchases: There is
Compatibility: Universal Application
Link:

But first, a brief historical digression:

SoundCloud started back in 2008 as a service for publishing and sharing music. Initially, it was intended for musicians, who now have the opportunity to conveniently share their sound recordings and publish them. The service was rapidly gaining popularity: in 2010 the number of users reached one million, and in 2013 it exceeded 40 million (with the number of listeners per month exceeding 170 million). However, SoundCloud continued to be exclusively a way for musicians to distribute own music, and copyrighted music could not be loaded onto it. Negotiations with music companies for a long time were unsuccessful. In 2014, they managed to conclude an agreement with Warner Music Group, but the labels were very skeptical about SoundCloud. It wasn't until 2016 that SoundCloud finally partnered with two other members of the Big Three, Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment, to increase the amount of content available to over 150 million tracks and launch the SoundCloud Go music service (currently available in the US, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand) that allows you to listen to licensed content.

So in last years the global desire in the IT sphere to simplify everything and everything has led, among other things, to the fact that people have simply become lazy to download music from trackers, file exchangers, etc. search for VK, YouTube, Yandex.Music, etc., press the Play button and don't worry about anything else.

But since each music service has its own troubles regarding copyrights, paid / free content, restrictions, and so on. (alas, the days when everything was free in VK are gone), the number of alternatives continues to grow. One of these alternatives is SoundCloud, whose proprietary features are displaying the track progress bar in the form of a stylized oscillogram, the ability to add time-based comments, as well as the ability to embed tracks on Twitter, Facebook, and generally any pages (using the API).

I've never used SoundCloud before, but I was recently sent a link to a nice mix that was posted on YouTube. I looked at the list of formats available for download, found Opus there and was about to download / listen, but then I noticed a link to SoundCloud in the description - supposedly the mix was originally laid out there. I decided that it was better, as they say, to turn to the source, and followed the link.

By clicking on the Download button, courtesy of the SaveFrom.net plugin (which I also use for YouTube, by the way), I downloaded the first track - unfortunately it turned out to be a 128 kbps MP3 - and compared it with the Opus downloaded from YouTube:

The spectrograms are very different - Opus has a wider spectrum, which means that the downloaded 128-kbit MP3 is not the original source.

But where is the source then? Is it available for download at all? For example, Google has Takeout, which allows you to download the originals uploaded to your channel Youtube video(see my article).

I registered on SoundCloud and uploaded the RightMark Audio Analyzer test signal there in 24bit/96kHz FLAC format:

By the way, PCM, FLAC, ALAC, OGG (Vorbis, Opus), MP3, AAC, and WMA are available for downloading from HQ formats (we don’t take AMR and MP2 into account) - the lack of additional lossless formats (Monkey's Audio, WavPack) is somewhat disappointing ) .

After unloading, I downloaded the track with the same button - also downloaded MP3 128 kbps. I checked and found out that this is exactly the material that is streamed when you start playing. By the way, it would be better to play it after downloading and running it, for example, in foobar2000 (provided that the settings are correct) - this way you will insure yourself against additional quantization noise (the browser decodes in 16-bit PCM, foobar2000 - in 32-bit float ) and clipping (musicians are encouraged to normalize tracks to -3dBFS before uploading to SC, but not everyone does this).

I also found out that SC converts absolutely everything - even if you upload an MP3 encoded by it to it, it will still re-encode it.

After digging on the Internet, I found out that in order to be able to download the original of my track, you need to have a Pro account. But, as it turned out, you can still download the original - for this you need to enable the ability to download the track in the Permissions section. Then the download of the original becomes available to everyone, including the owner:

You can do this for both private and public records.

Well, that's already fun. But there are very few records on the service for which the download option is enabled, so in most cases we will have to be content with MP3. Let's take a closer look at what we have.

With the help of a test sample, Adobe Audition, EncSpot and some other tricks (which I described in detail once in my article), I managed to find out that SoundCloud is currently using LAME version 3.99.3 (weird, because 3.99.5 has been available for 5 years already , and recently released 3.100) with preliminary resampling of the material up to 44.1 kHz. In this case, resampling is performed by an algorithm that is clearly better than the one built into LAME. On the spectrogram of the sample I encoded (parameter --resample 44.1), aliasing is visible, but the sample with SC does not have it:

Well, at least you can thank the developers for this.

Otherwise, the results are, to put it mildly, not very good. Based on the noise (about -87 dBFS) in the areas where there was initially silence, we can conclude that the processing and encoding were performed with an accuracy of 16 bits (this led to increased quantization noise). For LAME, only the -b 128 parameter was used - encoding in CBR 128 kbps with the quality of the algorithms equal to 3 (the highest quality is 0).

The conclusions may be as follows:

1. The developers did not use more efficient modes - VBR - because VBR V2 and V3 give a bit rate much higher than 128 kbps, and at lower bit rates the VBR model is not so efficient and often even loses CBR. That is, in this case, the choice was made in favor of saving disk space, rather than encoding speed (VBR is encoded faster).
2. To save speed, the developers did not improve the quality of the algorithms (at least up to -q 2) and, apparently, for the same reason, they included an alternative resampler - the built-in LAME works rather slowly.

However, it may well be that no one thought about anything like that at all, and they just drove in the parameter for encoding at 128 kbps, following the popular opinion about the transparency threshold at a given bitrate.

But what is for sure is the reluctance to introduce new technologies. The currently leading Opus Codec encodes at least twice as fast MP3, gives 128 kbps (or even 80-96) full sound transparency and is already supported by all modern browsers (and its implementation on mobile platforms, due to its openness, is not will be laborious).

What we have now - low quality MP3 audio that sounds with audible distortion on any quality material and equipment. As a result, a paradox emerges: the decision to post music on YouTube that was not intended for this will be better than posting it on a specially created SoundCloud.

But I still hope that the guys from SoundCloud will cope with the financial difficulties they are currently experiencing, will come to their senses and correct such annoying shortcomings.

P.S. And here the musicians themselves complain about the sound quality of SC:

SoundCloud is a social music platform that everyone can join to share and listen to audio files for free. Users familiar with other popular social networks such as Facebook and Twitter might think of Soundcloud as a similar service aimed at music lovers of all kinds. This article will show you how to use SoundCloud on iPhone, Android and PC.

Account Login

The mobile application of the service is available for mobile devices on the iOS and Android platforms.

How to use SoundCloud if you don't have an account yet? You need to create a new one. This can be done free of charge by registering on the service website through Facebook, Google+ or by e-mail.

The music service platform is best used on mobile devices, although the Android and iOS apps are somewhat limited.

After entering the program, you will notice that the application interface consists of several main sections. How to use SoundCloud in each of them is discussed below.

Application navigation

The "Home Page" is a personalized newsfeed showing entries posted and forwarded by other members of the music industry. social network Soundcloud that the account owner has signed up to follow. Any track here can be listened to, published, marked as liked or added to a playlist. In addition, you can start playing the station right from the news feed.

"Search" is useful for those who are looking for a specific user, artist or song. This feature will allow you to find what you want to listen to at the moment.

"Collection" is a tab where you can access all the songs you have liked, recent stations and playlists. There is also a link to the user profile here. It can be accessed by clicking on the three dots in the top right corner of the page.

"Music Player" - a tab that allows you to use SoundCloud as an audio player. It provides quick access to what's playing while browsing other app tabs. In the Next Up tab, you can view the next songs in the playlist, change their order or delete them, and add any audio service. There is a full range of shuffle and loop playback modes. It is possible to block the addition of similar music to the broadcast of the station.

The Stream option on the tab gives you a quick look at the latest trends in music and audio. Here you can select the desired genre and form of audio content.

Options for working with the program

You can use the SoundCloud app however you like, but the following are the main ways to efficiently recycle music service services that are most useful.

• Keeping track of individual member's favorite tracks gives you the opportunity to discover new music. If you click on a username, you can go to their profile and see what kind of music they publish and what playlists they have. Their activities can be followed like any other social network, and the tracks they post or repost are displayed on the user's home page.
• The service allows you to create your own playlists. After listening to your favorite music track, you can click on the three dots and add it to any of your playlists. The user can create as many as they want. Playlists are available either for everyone or for private listening.
• Starting the station allows you to hear a series of similar musical compositions. If you don't have the time or patience to carefully select the right tracks in your playlists, you can simply tap on the same three dots on any piece you like to have the app play the station with similar tracks. At the same time, you always have access to recent radio stations from your profile.

What can be done only in the web interface?

The music service's mobile app features a simple, user-friendly design that isn't overwhelming with too many features. Regardless, some may be wondering how to enjoy SoundCloud more fully. The following are additional functionality available when logging into the service from a browser.

Under some music tracks, next to the Distribute button, there is a Download or Buy link that does not appear in the mobile app. Many works can either be downloaded or purchased for free. This feature is not available for mobile device owners, except for SoundCloudGo subscribers (in some countries).

The cloud service is a social platform, which means that everyone can share their music or audio tracks. It is not yet possible to use SoundCloud as a springboard for your musical career from a mobile application. The function is available in the web version of the service interface by clicking on the "Download" button located at the top of the page.

Communication with other participants

It's a little strange that private communication in the Soundcloud app is currently not supported, but this may change with future updates. In the meantime, you can send messages to other users only on the service website.

The user can join SoundCloud groups and share their favorite tracks with their members. To gain access, just click on your name in the web version and select the "Groups" menu item.

Like any other social network, you can exchange messages here. You can also use SoundCloud as a means of communication with other music lovers, but only on the service's web page. The notification center is located in the top menu of the browser version. Here you can see who signed up to track user preferences or who sent messages.

Finally

Those who want to constantly discover new music and listen to it for free should add the Soundcloud mobile application to their list of mandatory installations software. This is one of the few free music services that combines the listening experience with a social component. You can use the SoundCloud app on both iPhone and Android, but the maximum functionality is available only on the service's web page.

SoundCloud is a social music platform that everyone can join to share and listen to audio files for free. Users familiar with other popular social networks such as Facebook and Twitter might think of Soundcloud as a similar service aimed at music lovers of all kinds. This article will show you how to use SoundCloud on iPhone, Android and PC.

Account Login

The mobile application of the service is available for mobile devices on the iOS and Android platforms.

How to use SoundCloud if you don't have an account yet? You need to create a new one. This can be done free of charge by registering on the service website through Facebook, Google+ or by e-mail.

The music service platform is best used on mobile devices, although the Android and iOS apps are somewhat limited.

After entering the program, you will notice that the application interface consists of several main sections. How to use SoundCloud in each of them is discussed below.

Application navigation

The "Home Page" is a personalized newsfeed showing recordings posted and forwarded by other members of the Soundcloud music social network that the account holder has signed up to follow. Any track here can be listened to, published, marked as liked or added to a playlist. In addition, you can start playing the station right from the news feed.

"Search" is useful for those who are looking for a specific user, artist or song. This feature will allow you to find what you want to listen to at the moment.

"Collection" is a tab where you can access all the songs you have liked, recent stations and playlists. There is also a link to the user profile here. It can be accessed by clicking on the three dots in the top right corner of the page.

"Music Player" - a tab that allows you to use SoundCloud as an audio player. It provides quick access to what's playing while browsing other app tabs. In the Next Up tab, you can view the next songs in the playlist, change their order or delete them, and add any audio service. There is a full range of shuffle and loop playback modes. It is possible to block the addition of similar music to the broadcast of the station.

The Stream option on the tab gives you a quick look at the latest trends in music and audio. Here you can select the desired genre and form of audio content.

Options for working with the program

You can use the SoundCloud app however you like, but the following are the main ways to efficiently recycle music service services that are most useful.

• Keeping track of individual member's favorite tracks gives you the opportunity to discover new music. If you click on a username, you can go to their profile and see what kind of music they publish and what playlists they have. Their activities can be followed like any other social network, and the tracks they post or repost are displayed on the user's home page.
• The service allows you to create your own playlists. After listening to your favorite music track, you can click on the three dots and add it to any of your playlists. The user can create as many as they want. Playlists are available either for everyone or for private listening.
• Starting the station allows you to hear a series of similar musical compositions. If you don't have the time or patience to carefully select the right tracks in your playlists, you can simply tap on the same three dots on any piece you like to have the app play the station with similar tracks. At the same time, you always have access to recent radio stations from your profile.

What can be done only in the web interface?

The music service's mobile app features a simple, user-friendly design that isn't overwhelming with too many features. Regardless, some may be wondering how to enjoy SoundCloud more fully. The following are additional functionality available when logging into the service from a browser.

Under some music tracks, next to the Distribute button, there is a Download or Buy link that does not appear in the mobile app. Many works can either be downloaded or purchased for free. This feature is not available for mobile device owners, except for SoundCloudGo subscribers (in some countries).

The cloud service is a social platform, which means that everyone can share their music or audio tracks. It is not yet possible to use SoundCloud as a springboard for your musical career from a mobile application. The function is available in the service if you click on the "Download" button located at the top of the page.

Communication with other participants

It's a little strange that private communication in the Soundcloud app is currently not supported, but this may change with future updates. In the meantime, you can send messages to other users only on the service website.

The user can join SoundCloud groups and share their favorite tracks with their members. To gain access, just click on your name in the web version and select the "Groups" menu item.

Like any other social network, you can exchange messages here. You can also use SoundCloud as a means of communication with other music lovers, but only on the service's web page. The notification center is located in the top menu of the browser version. Here you can see who signed up to track user preferences or who sent messages.

Finally

Those who want to constantly discover new music and listen to it for free should add the Soundcloud mobile application to their list of mandatory software installations. This is one of the few free music services that combines the listening experience with a social component. You can use the SoundCloud app on both iPhone and Android, but the maximum functionality is available only on the service's web page.