There's something seriously wrong when Youtube offers vastly superior streaming audio quality to Soundcloud (at every setting other than 240p, at least). Might as well just stick your tunes up there with black screen videos and a download link.

Saying that, there's only once I've noticed the Soundcloud encoder mess up a track when uploading my stuff. Mind you, that tune was WRECKED. So much pre-echo. I ended up removing it. I always upload uncompressed/lossless audio (same deal with Youtube) and things have been mostly OK.

Another new follower today. This one has also been suspended. Maybe something I said?

I think SoundClick was around before both of these. Thing is I don't think either added much to formula.

One thing I will say in soundcloud's favor is that I do appreciate the clean, minimalistic aesthetic. All the other hosting sites (other than bandcamp) tend to have blaring, obtrusive ads. It does contribute to the sense of commodification and get in the way of experiencing music as a work of art.

lol.. i just paid them the other day for 'Lite' premium..
i like the ability to bring song into my website and here and directly link to each song/set.. i have plenty of space on my site, but the cloud offers me better exposure often.. facebook, twitter, goog+, etc do better with a source and i have never used youtube to its full potential so far.. soundcloud is easier for music i think...

Whoa, my thread is still sought...

After the positive feedback some time ago I've really created a Soundcloud account and uploaded a few songs. But what I don't like is this "follow" feature. When someone is following me, I don't know WHY. At least I would appreciate A FEW words about why someone is following me. For example "I like your music, I make a similar kind of sound...blablabla"

But what is the alternative? MySpace is dead, and when I search news from an artist, the last login by him/her was in 2009 or so... It's so sad, I loved MySpace, but some years ago they destroyed their whole interface...

Why? People have other things to do, just be happy that it's one more person that likes your music enough to be interested in what you will put up later. If listeners really feel like it's important to let you know what they like they'll pm you.

If you feel like people owe you feedback (or anything for that matter) just because you put your art out there, well that's just not the way it works.

ya - i think that soundcloud is not meant to be first a meet-up/hang-out - more like youtube where individuals follow an entity, etc.. i never question follows - i just follow back..