Other Audio News sites - Your opinions?
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- KVRAF
- 3588 posts since 13 May, 2004 from montreal
This is the only music tech news site I visit, apart from a few individual developers.
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- KVRist
- 87 posts since 31 Dec, 2003 from big "D",tx
Being a mac user, I also skip over to osxaudio.com on occasion. The only way to get new product info there (lately) is to visit the forums, as they've stopped updating their front page, for some reason. I have to admit the overall tone of the posts there is warm and friendly. My only complaint here at kvr is how quickly some threads turn ugly. I think people should remember that participation here is a priveledge, not a right.
Just my 2 cents.
Just my 2 cents.
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- KVRian
- 1184 posts since 27 Apr, 2004 from Houston, Texas
i agree with vitaminD
this site has too much information and comes off cluttered. it would be nice to have a cleaner look.
obviously, kvr is the best site for music software.
this site has too much information and comes off cluttered. it would be nice to have a cleaner look.
obviously, kvr is the best site for music software.
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- KVRAF
- 12235 posts since 18 Aug, 2003
I check out a few other sites now and again for news:
Harmony Central
Sonic State
Synthtopia
Gearjunkies
TraXmusic
Of them, KVR is the best for software news, as it appears to be the most up-to-date and most focused on software. I like Gearjunkies maybe second best as its easy to find news items, but only visit it once a week or so. TraXmusic's news seems very selective, but they're good for reviews. I dislike Sonic State, their news system is annoying to navigate and seems to omit stuff mysteriously (will report on something stupid but skip some new product announcement). I check Harmony Central more for the stuff on the right side of the page that comes from other sites.
For general music news-like happenings, I've been reading some of the better blogs. Music Thing is the best of the bunch as it's usually funny, and createdigitalmusic is okay.
My only complaint about the KVR news is that there is too much unchanging clutter (all the stuff at the top and left side) and not enough news. I can live with the clutter (pays the bills etc), but it could maybe stand to be streamilned.
I'd rather see the current news format appear only under subsections and have the Main news only appear as a list of all news items. That way, the release with the fancy logos etc would only appear on the subsection pages. Maybe it'll tick off some developers who milk their press releases as free advertising, but this way I wouldn't miss any news if I only check the front page, and there's a lot more content on the front page. The Main news could look something like this:
If you want graphics in there, maybe come up with a logo for each news subsection, and have it beside each news item, to identify what kind of news each item is (eg a logo for Instruments, Effects, Offers, etc.) Wouldn't hurt to have a graphic to identify news submitted by companies that have dedicated forums on KVR. I'd also suggest killing the Synthedit specific news, and move it towards being the Modular/DIY news, like you did with the forum. And maybe consider adding a Developer news section, to match the activity on the DSP forum.
Nothing related can compete with KVR for degree of activity.
Cheers,
Steve
Harmony Central
Sonic State
Synthtopia
Gearjunkies
TraXmusic
Of them, KVR is the best for software news, as it appears to be the most up-to-date and most focused on software. I like Gearjunkies maybe second best as its easy to find news items, but only visit it once a week or so. TraXmusic's news seems very selective, but they're good for reviews. I dislike Sonic State, their news system is annoying to navigate and seems to omit stuff mysteriously (will report on something stupid but skip some new product announcement). I check Harmony Central more for the stuff on the right side of the page that comes from other sites.
For general music news-like happenings, I've been reading some of the better blogs. Music Thing is the best of the bunch as it's usually funny, and createdigitalmusic is okay.
My only complaint about the KVR news is that there is too much unchanging clutter (all the stuff at the top and left side) and not enough news. I can live with the clutter (pays the bills etc), but it could maybe stand to be streamilned.
I'd rather see the current news format appear only under subsections and have the Main news only appear as a list of all news items. That way, the release with the fancy logos etc would only appear on the subsection pages. Maybe it'll tick off some developers who milk their press releases as free advertising, but this way I wouldn't miss any news if I only check the front page, and there's a lot more content on the front page. The Main news could look something like this:
If you want graphics in there, maybe come up with a logo for each news subsection, and have it beside each news item, to identify what kind of news each item is (eg a logo for Instruments, Effects, Offers, etc.) Wouldn't hurt to have a graphic to identify news submitted by companies that have dedicated forums on KVR. I'd also suggest killing the Synthedit specific news, and move it towards being the Modular/DIY news, like you did with the forum. And maybe consider adding a Developer news section, to match the activity on the DSP forum.
Nothing related can compete with KVR for degree of activity.
Cheers,
Steve
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- KVRist
- 271 posts since 13 Aug, 2002 from Knowhere, Texas
I had no idea that existed. Thanks.Ben [KVR] wrote:Spe3D wrote:Bad is the Muse button just above News
it defeated ergonomics (easy site navigation) as its between two home urls
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SuitcaseOfLizards SuitcaseOfLizards https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=2363 - KVRAF
- 10879 posts since 3 Apr, 2002 from Austin, TX USA
KVR is my home page, this should tell you something!Ben [KVR] wrote:I'm in Market Research mode today and I was wondering what audio news/info sites you visit regularly, apart from KVR, and what you like about them and why? I'd be interested to know what you prefer about them and what you prefer about KVR - stuff such as design, navigation, features, content, advertising (amount and positioning), affiliate deals/offers, merchandise, anything else, etc.
This isn't a "tell me KVR is great" thread its to try to understand what is good or bad about the various sites (and KVR). I know what I like and dislike but this may not be the same as everyone else
Secondary site: Sound on Sound. For hardware reviews, it's Harmony Central.
Between those three, I get all the news I need when I need it, and more!
Note, however, that KVR has the weirdest trolls of any site out there.
Bandcamp: https://suitcaseoflizards.bandcamp.com/
Linux Mint, Waveform 13 Pro, U-He synths, Audio Damage effects,.
Linux Mint, Waveform 13 Pro, U-He synths, Audio Damage effects,.
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- KVRAF
- 3002 posts since 24 Nov, 2003 from Heidelberg&Hamburg
I visit KVR rather daily, Patcharena every week, some other sites if there is a link in a forum-thread. I think most of people do it this way. Cannot be bad here, I suppose.
Only thing I would critizise, but it is of not much use - if you look what "reality" of software and how to get and use it is, and read what we write here, you cannot say you got some realistic statements about those problems at KVR:D. It seems the majority who likes to steal software reads at KVR, but doesn't write here. So this is a wonderful place to learn anything about making music, has the best forum, and I especially like the music café NOT diversified after "techno" and "drum'n bass" and so on. The café as it is is better for listening to a variety of styles, and clicking back to older sites isn't the biggest problem we experience hienieden, on earth.
As I was a newbie, VitaminD, I didn't find the page toooo newbie-unfriendly?
There are only some here who think after 2400 posts the IQ automatically gets up some 35 points (well what should I say, there are some 2000 posts missing here ). But that happens in all forums... I only ONCE in all the time read a thread where an extremely-over-arrogant-person wrote in the "I got the message and am the craze and you all are dumbfucks and don't take music seriously like I do as it's hard work and older ones are too stupid etc" or so. Page is well structed; what newbies could miss are some more tutorials. It would be easy for the companies here in the forums to add some "how to"-tutorials in the tutorials-thread here. But then, we could do it too 
.
Possible addition could be a "vsti for newbies"-thread, but that's something mags like Computermusic deal with in a good way already.
Only thing I would critizise, but it is of not much use - if you look what "reality" of software and how to get and use it is, and read what we write here, you cannot say you got some realistic statements about those problems at KVR:D. It seems the majority who likes to steal software reads at KVR, but doesn't write here. So this is a wonderful place to learn anything about making music, has the best forum, and I especially like the music café NOT diversified after "techno" and "drum'n bass" and so on. The café as it is is better for listening to a variety of styles, and clicking back to older sites isn't the biggest problem we experience hienieden, on earth.
As I was a newbie, VitaminD, I didn't find the page toooo newbie-unfriendly?
There are only some here who think after 2400 posts the IQ automatically gets up some 35 points
(well what should I say, there are some 2000 posts missing here ). But that happens in all forums... I only ONCE in all the time read a thread where an extremely-over-arrogant-person wrote in the "I got the message and am the craze and you all are dumbfucks and don't take music seriously like I do as it's hard work and older ones are too stupid etc" or so. Page is well structed; what newbies could miss are some more tutorials. It would be easy for the companies here in the forums to add some "how to"-tutorials in the tutorials-thread here. But then, we could do it too .Possible addition could be a "vsti for newbies"-thread, but that's something mags like Computermusic deal with in a good way already.
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- something special
- 8629 posts since 16 Mar, 2002 from Birmingham, Alabama
kvr is my home page
I missed the extra forum posts on the front page as well, and when I checked the link you gave for customizing the latest post page, I was stunned at all the company forums I had no idea even existed! (who is Rob Papen? )
All in all however, this is the one place I go for the news. If I go elsewhere, it's because of a link provided in a thread.
Of course, I do visit various Republican websites and the Sedona Method Releasing Club at MSN..
but we are talking music here, and kvr does it for me.
I missed the extra forum posts on the front page as well, and when I checked the link you gave for customizing the latest post page, I was stunned at all the company forums I had no idea even existed! (who is Rob Papen?
)All in all however, this is the one place I go for the news. If I go elsewhere, it's because of a link provided in a thread.
Of course, I do visit various Republican websites and the Sedona Method Releasing Club at MSN..
but we are talking music here, and kvr does it for me.
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- KVRist
- 368 posts since 3 May, 2002 from Canberra, Australia
KVR at least 5 times a week (my lunch hour...perhaps I should leave the office occasionally? ). I come to KVR largely for the forums but also to keep an eye on software news.
A couple of times a month I pop into TraXmusic and MusicFAQ for reviews/articles.
Not counting developer's sites, that's about it for music-making related surfing.
-s
). I come to KVR largely for the forums but also to keep an eye on software news.A couple of times a month I pop into TraXmusic and MusicFAQ for reviews/articles.
Not counting developer's sites, that's about it for music-making related surfing.
-s
A suffusion of yellow...
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- KVRian
- 1112 posts since 17 Jul, 2003 from Kauai, HI
I know there are a LOT of people who'd like to see their post counts never be debited (ego maniacs). I, like others, visit to learn (although, the truth is, I really come here to see myself in print and to have people tell me how right I am. This hasn't happened yet, but that's a mere detail.)
The best thing is, it's free. I had an e-subscription over at SOS, but I never got around to paying for a new year. The fact that KvR has been a better learning experience for me than SOS--run by a large magazine staff--is a great testimony to KvR's inhabitants and Ben.
AND HERE'S A BIG ONE: We need a "Rookie of the Year Award" each year. I vote MEFFY!
Tom
The best thing is, it's free. I had an e-subscription over at SOS, but I never got around to paying for a new year. The fact that KvR has been a better learning experience for me than SOS--run by a large magazine staff--is a great testimony to KvR's inhabitants and Ben.
AND HERE'S A BIG ONE: We need a "Rookie of the Year Award" each year. I vote MEFFY!
Tom
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- KVRian
- 1143 posts since 6 Oct, 2004 from berlin
Is there a most annoying rookie of the year award and am i nominated yet?SaviorNeeded wrote: AND HERE'S A BIG ONE: We need a "Rookie of the Year Award" each year.
Tom