If you want to listen to music, there are many avenues you can take. You can listen to the music video via YouTube. You can go to Spotify or SoundCloud. These are all recognizable names. But one name you may not have heard of is Mixcloud. This post will look at Mixcloud and why it may be an ideal choice for both creators and listeners. For those looking to amplify their presence on the platform, consider exploring how to buy Mixcloud plays to boost your tracks' visibility and engagement.
What is Mixcloud?
Mixcloud is a streaming service based in Britain. It was founded in 2008 and was referred to as the “YouTube of radio” during its launch. Its primary appeal is that users can listen to and distribute radio shows, podcasts, and DJ mixes, with crowdsourcing done by its registered users.
If a registered user is able to upload their own content, Mixcloud has a social media side as well. For example, users can join groups consisting of people who have similar interests, making the platform effective for making friends or promoting your work.
Another way their platform helps artists is through its fan-to-creator feature. Mixcloud introduced this subscription in 2018, allowing users to subscribe to their favorite artists and support any music licensing costs the artist may have to pay.
Benefits of Mixcloud
Mixcloud has many features that an artist may love. Here are some examples.
Creator Dashboard
Mixcloud has an intuitive creator dashboard that shows stats, allows users to stream, and lets them view their shows. For an artist, viewing their stats and learning what works and what does not is a vital way to grow.
Unlist Streams
Unlisted streams means that you’re streaming live, but it’s not public. Only people who have the link can view it. Why unlist streams? Maybe you want to practice first, and you only want your closest folk watching you.
Premium Benefits
Mixcloud has premium subscriptions, which help hardcore fans of a band get access to exclusive shows and other perks. Artists can set how much they want to charge, and then fans can choose to support their artists further or be regular fans.
More Detailed Stats
Mixcloud offers several ways to view stats, with premium stats being shown to artists with a Pro membership. These detailed stats will give a clearer picture of where your users are listening, down to the city.
Unlimited Uploads
Mixcloud offers unlimited uploads for both basic and Pro members. Many music-sharing sites will have a limited number of uploads, which can hurt artistic creativity. If you're on Mixcloud, you can upload as much as you want without deleting your old content.
With that said, uploads are different from published tracks. Published shows and tracks are publicly available for listeners. If you are a basic user, you can have ten published shows and ten tracks.
Basic users do get decently long lengths for shows and tracks. For example, a track can be up to 15 minutes long. Meanwhile, a show can last 8 hours!
Protecting Upload from Being Taken Down
What if your work remixes or samples a copyrighted song? Or what if your podcast plays a bit of a song to comment on it? Some music-sharing sites will see this as a big no-no and, regardless of fair use, will take it down.
Meanwhile, Mixcloud has a content ID system that is pro-fair use. If you use someone's content, the holder gets royalties. The music is not taken down. This is because Mixcloud works with record labels, both major and independent, to provide fair compensation for their work.
Some platforms, such as SoundCloud, have a system where an artist may have their song taken down, even if it’s a remix that falls under the fair use category.
Final Thoughts
Mixcloud is an excellent platform for artists and their fans. It offers many ways for artists to monetize their work and avoid DMCA takedowns. For fans, there are many ways they can support their favorite artists. So, if you're not on Mixcloud, we highly recommend it. By using everything the platform has to offer, you can grow your brand, monetize your work, and grow closer to your fans. We hope this article was helpful to you.