Spotify alternatives

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

I have a free three month sub to Youtube Music and I really like it. I've listened to it exclusively for six weeks now. The UI is easy to use, it seems to have everything I want on there and when it recommends something for me it seems pretty spot on where spotify always seemed forced as in it would often completely change genres on me. If I'm listening to Megadeth I don't want to suddenly switch to Journey.

For Podcasts I use pocketcast.

Never a bad time for “don’t stop believing “.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

I have a free three month sub to Youtube Music and I really like it. I've listened to it exclusively for six weeks now. The UI is easy to use, it seems to have everything I want on there and when it recommends something for me it seems pretty spot on where spotify always seemed forced as in it would often completely change genres on me. If I'm listening to Megadeth I don't want to suddenly switch to Journey.

For Podcasts I use pocketcast.

Never a bad time for “don’t stop believing “.

Tony Soprano probably doesn't agree with you.

[Tambourine Man]

I found an importer to bring all my Spotify playlists into Tidal, and signed up for the trial period. Haven't done it yet, but someone i know got all but 300 out of 20000 songs in their playlists, so it seems like it won't be a big problem.

Only downsides so far -
No Xbox app. Kinda sucks but I can deal with it. That's the main way we play music in the house because it's convenient, but I can do it over the phone too.
Limited podcasts - not a huge deal but sometimes it's convenient for podcasts i don't normally subscribe to.

The music quality is apparently much better on Tidal and they even have an audio Masters quality tier. I'm not sophisticated enough for that though.

For whatever reason I'm reluctant to use Apple's service. Just trying to limit what I give to these megacorps mostly, even though I still use them. Square owns Tidal apparently, so just a smaller megacorp.

None of the services' pay is great but doubling or tripling what Spotify pays makes me feel better about it. I'm not saying anyone else should feel bad, but that's the only music related purchases I'm making.

How are you finding Tidal? I do believe I'm gonna get that trial. I've had an Apple trial some 18 months ago, and the integration with my Echo speaker was piss poor, even though it's advertised. Anyway, Apple's interface is nicer than Spotify. I know very little of Tidal.

That audio quality stuff is a big upsell. Unless you have a really high-end system, you probably can't notice much difference. My MacBook, iPhone, and iPod...None of these are capable of high-quality streaming.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

That audio quality stuff is a big upsell. Unless you have a really high-end system, you probably can't notice much difference. My MacBook, iPhone, and iPod...None of these are capable of high-quality streaming.

Not to beat a dead Young but...

For you cynical young'uns that want to scoff at Neil Young's motives, check out Pono.

That was an effort Young spearheaded, bankrolled, and publicized several years ago. He went on the talk show circuit, spent his money and why? Because he thought the sound quality from the device manufactures was bullsh!t and deliberately so. So he put his money where his mouth was and tried to come up with an alternative. It was rejected by the marketplace. Noe you see the renaissance of the vinyl LP - because of its sound quality. Go figure.

Anyway. Young doesn't let money get in the way of him or his principles.

[Radbird]

I clicked on the Pono link and then clicked on this link comparing digital music stores.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compariso ... sic_stores

Can somebody interpret the data? It’s all just numbers to me.

[ghostrunner]

I found an importer to bring all my Spotify playlists into Tidal, and signed up for the trial period. Haven't done it yet, but someone i know got all but 300 out of 20000 songs in their playlists, so it seems like it won't be a big problem.

Only downsides so far -
No Xbox app. Kinda sucks but I can deal with it. That's the main way we play music in the house because it's convenient, but I can do it over the phone too.
Limited podcasts - not a huge deal but sometimes it's convenient for podcasts i don't normally subscribe to.

The music quality is apparently much better on Tidal and they even have an audio Masters quality tier. I'm not sophisticated enough for that though.

For whatever reason I'm reluctant to use Apple's service. Just trying to limit what I give to these megacorps mostly, even though I still use them. Square owns Tidal apparently, so just a smaller megacorp.

None of the services' pay is great but doubling or tripling what Spotify pays makes me feel better about it. I'm not saying anyone else should feel bad, but that's the only music related purchases I'm making.

How are you finding Tidal? I do believe I'm gonna get that trial. I've had an Apple trial some 18 months ago, and the integration with my Echo speaker was piss poor, even though it's advertised. Anyway, Apple's interface is nicer than Spotify. I know very little of Tidal.

That audio quality stuff is a big upsell. Unless you have a really high-end system, you probably can't notice much difference. My MacBook, iPhone, and iPod...None of these are capable of high-quality streaming.

Hey TM. Hope all is well.

I doubt I could identify audio quality changes, but as far as the catalogue there’s been maybe a couple songs that didn’t transfer because they weren’t available. I used SongShift to do the playlist transfer and it gives you the chance to find a match. Usually it’s an issue of the artist name being slightly different so if it’s not in the suggested list you can search for it by name.

“Train Song” by Vashti Bunyan didn’t come up, as an example. A couple others on that level. Nothing by Pretty Lights, an electronic artist JoD turned me onto years ago. Not huge hits but not exactly obscure either. Tons of stuff I wasn’t sure about was on Tidal though and I plan to request the ones I really wanted.

I like the idea of the higher tier giving extra money to artists you play the most but that’s further than I want to go. Also I’m using the family plan.

[Tambourine Man]

That was an effort Young spearheaded, bankrolled, and publicized several years ago. He went on the talk show circuit, spent his money and why? Because he thought the sound quality from the device manufactures was bullsh!t and deliberately so. So he put his money where his mouth was and tried to come up with an alternative. It was rejected by the marketplace. Noe you see the renaissance of the vinyl LP - because of its sound quality. Go figure

I was aware of Neil's dislike of the cold digital sound, but I had no idea he'd started a company and whatnot. I'm half-ass considering putting together a little system to play vinyl on. I've already got my dad's Marantz receiver from around '71. It's worth a chunk. BUT would I use it enough to justify sinking a few hundred? Probably not.

Hey TM. Hope all is well.

I doubt I could identify audio quality changes, but as far as the catalogue there’s been maybe a couple songs that didn’t transfer because they weren’t available. I used SongShift to do the playlist transfer and it gives you the chance to find a match. Usually it’s an issue of the artist name being slightly different so if it’s not in the suggested list you can search for it by name.

“Train Song” by Vashti Bunyan didn’t come up, as an example. A couple others on that level. Nothing by Pretty Lights, an electronic artist JoD turned me onto years ago. Not huge hits but not exactly obscure either. Tons of stuff I wasn’t sure about was on Tidal though and I plan to request the ones I really wanted.

I like the idea of the higher tier giving extra money to artists you play the most but that’s further than I want to go. Also I’m using the family plan.

Hey man. Life has kicked me around pretty good lately, but my spirits are optimistic. Hope you and yours are doing well. nd thanks for the SongShift recommendation.

So I've been dicking around with Apple Music and Tidal all night. My initial impression is that I won't be leaving Spotify. I use voice commands and stream from my laptop almost exclusively. Voice commands with Tidal are a complete mess. Just flat does not recognize my playlists. It strikes me as a bit of a boutique service, obviously aiming for a wealthier or more discerning audiophile. I'm still sitting in coach with my Echo and honey-mustard pretzels from Amazon.

Now Apple has a much better shot at making the cut. The best interface (remember, I'm on my laptop) of all. This is no contest. I have a healthy amount of live/obscure stuff from YT that I've converted to mp4. Apple Music handles the integration so nicely.

This brings us to Spotify using Spotify Connect to control all 3 of my Echos with one click or voice. Huge advantage is that Spotify uses wifi and for the other services you have to use Bluetooth. I could get into it but I know you use things differently. I'm thoroughly enmeshed with the Amazon ecosystem. Spotify buries the competition here.

Anyway, here's a free 6 months for Apple music...

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-free ... Id=6451501

[Joe Shlabotnik]

Do you need an Apple computer/phone for Apple music?

[Tambourine Man]

Do you need an Apple computer/phone for Apple music?

No sir. It'll run on Windows and Android.

[GeddyWrox]

And Crash Into Me isn't credited to Counting Crows.

Hate to break this to ya...

Dave Matthews Band