KVR Audio

Fixed Error · Post by **Fixed Error** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 9:09 am

Hey all, gonna be a long post (and this is not for purposes of self-promotion)...

Out of pure curiosity I decided to give Reverbnation's Crowd Review feature a shot, and I'd like to share my thoughts on it. Basically, for a small fee, you submit a track to have it "reviewed' anonymously by a cross section of people to primarily assess its potential for radio play, as well as to pick up on some thoughts as to what people might think of it.

For one, I was not really interested in whether people thought it was "radio ready" as it's not a particularly radio friendly song. Its primarily instrumental, far too long and - at least I like to think so - slightly off the wall. I was interested, however, in what sort of review this would be. Would this be my peers assessing me? Fellow musos commenting on the production and the technicalities of the mix. People who were into this kind of music or sound or, purposefully, people who were not? I was guessing it was going to be an across the board approach.

I wasn't so much interested in whether people actually liked the track, but more about how they explained why they liked it or didn't like it. But I realised the review was more about whether it was "radio ready" than really being about whether the song was good or not. Something which does not necessarily go hand in hand. I did want know, however, what the "average punter" thinks when they listen to a track. How do they explain it? I'm so used to having other musicians comment and judge what I do and it's a very different thing. For one, people here know what you go through to just even finish a track. Of course, it must be said these people were actually being paid for their review.

So below are some of the various "reviews", all in their glory and unedited. Overall I received a 45% market potential and a 5.8 out of 10 radio ready score (ie. not fit for radio). As you can see some are thoughtful and offer constructive commentary and explain their reasoning. Others not so much. Some I wondered if even they were talking about my track as they had identified all the instrumentation completely incorrectly. Some I thought were hilarious, some confusing, some mean, some indifferent, some very kind. In all, it was an interesting experience and, in the end, actually pretty accurate. A lot of people out there who aren't musically inclined judge music very differently. In the end, they are the ones you're likely to have to win over if you want to sustain a living from your music. For me, I learned that I sound like a cross between Michael Jackson and Queen and should be doing movies and video games. I'll live with that...

PS. I'll link the track in question at the very bottom.

"I find the song to be to high pitched. It sounds like my computer is trying to read a corrupted fruit loops song. Base is defiantly needed in this song. Take a break from the high tones and add base and the song will be highly improved."

"Memorable intro, full of energy leading the audience into exciting instrumentals that sounded atmospheric and ethereal. One section in the song sounded like it took us into a video game, giving all kinds of creative and driving sound with short clips of lyrics that had digital effects applied to them. Soundtrack was very engaging, with the potential to be a hit in a movie. Real imaginative and creative artist that composed this song, very entertaining and fun to listen to. Excellence production! Great recording! I would encourage keeping up with these artist, they gave a vibrant performance that's memorable. Ten stars, quit you day job and go full-time into this as they have what it take to make professional beats and music."

"This is a completely annoying trance song. This is a horrible song. Its just mixed with complete computer music. This is a song that really doesn't have a direction and i hate this type of music. This is not a good song."

"A technically accomplished and inviting intro. The digital effects and instrumental composition of the piece generate a distinct atmosphere about it. The rhythm of the track is a bit repetitive and monotonous, however it's very well recorded and doesn't fail to create a good mood."

"this song is scary. not catchy just bizarre. not sure what i am i listening to. this song made me feel afraid and scared. i wanted it to end as soon as possible. this could be played in some weird club , no where else."

"Well this was a different way to start a song. I can't say that it is appealing because it just sounds like a bunch of noise. I think the DJ could have done better in this attempt. The sequence is very off to me."

"This song is very original. As the song first started the melody caught my attention. The melody had the right pace and matched the rhythm of the song. There are melodies that make people want stop what they are doing and listen and this is one of them. The lyrics are very intoxicating, but in a very positive way. The chorus lyrics had to be my the best part. I think there are a lot of people who can relate to this story. The vocals are superb and on pitch. I don't like when songs are off pitch because it ruins the experience of the song for me. This song was not one of those songs. The vocals are one of my many favorite parts. The drums really had my heart racing. It made me want to start grooving. I was tapping my feet the entire time I was listening to the drums. The song has a lot of commercial potential."

"This reminds me of something I could hear in a dramatic 90's film, kind of like Stigmata. When the main character has stumbled upon something important of is in continuous search of devastating facts. Seems like good background music to something intense."

"This intro has a slow funky mood into which doesnt realy tell me much about what the song will be. This song is too slow and has no lyrics in it. There are no vocals in it and i dislike a beat like this to go to waste with no beat on it. Its a great beat and has a nice rythem. Just an okay song that has posibilities."

"Great line of the bass. However, for me, this is song is for a movie. I feel like something is missing. It has a lot of synthesizer, its needs more real instruments. For me this sound would go perfect with a thriller movie. Actually it kind of reminds me the song of Michael Jackson "Thriller" but without the great voice of Michael"

"Intro sounds a bit like "another one bites the dust" but then the switch up with the techno effects, vocals and good beat works. I like the deeper effects mixed with the synthesizer. The somewhat squeaky effect needs to be eased up on in places though. The rest is pretty good overall and gives you a house/dance mix vibe that keeps your attention with the transitions."

"It starts like I am going to listen to a song by the Queens and then there it is the electro. It was surprising, but maybe you need a new introduction so there will not be disappointed rock fans. Also , I think the sound is very repeating, its the same almost throughout the whole song. I don't like it very much. If you change that and make it more diverse it would be much better."

"the beat for the song is very cliche in my opinion. it sounds like your typical movie trying to create that intense club moment with a cop chase in it with very bad script. I dont like this song. With enough going on it could be good but the sounds do not really come togehter enough to enjoy the whole sound. I would not recomend this song to others, but i comend the artist on their creativity"

"The beginning instantly makes this song a re-do. The beat and use of drum is amazing. I just love the use of the robotic-voices, and the cuts and stops to add a feel to the song. This song just makes we want to jump and dance because of the beat. The beat is just amazing, I love the way it isn't one of those repetitive beats, but one that actually progresses. Once again, the use of the robotic voices add a feel to the song and add texture to it. The use of different instruments is amazing, and so varied for an electronic track. Props to the maker of this track for making this awesome song, really amazing!"

"With an 80s tempo and vibe, this one feels like expired lettuce: watery and mundane in melody. It feels too James Bond in rhythm. Work on making it less repetitive. It tires the listener after 30 seconds. It has a club mood that's magnetic for a bit, but it can become too shallow in tone."

There are many more but that'll do for now. An interesting experience. There's a tough crowd of listeners out there who don't want no expired lettuce. Oh and here's the track if you want to judge for yourself.:
https://soundcloud.com/atardecer/danger-time

whyterabbyt · Post by **whyterabbyt** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 9:20 am

So this is a website specifically for people to review tracks they havent heard then? I think there's only a couple of quotes there that actually makes any sense if youve actually heard the track.

Love the guy who liked your lyrics and vocals!

vurt · Post by **vurt** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 9:42 am

was the fifth one reviewing me?
if so, thanks!

4damind · Post by **4damind** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 9:49 am

I've got ratings of 7.1 with some of my tracks on the Reverbnation Crowd Review. But you should always take into the account, that the focus is more to mainstream radio. So people expect often vocals and some more up-driven music.
If you make eg. Trance, Techno, Minimal... you can make great stuff but this people will give you often bad ratings because they have no interest to listen this music on the radio.
And don't forget that this people will be payed for reviews and a small amount of reviewers will never listen your tracks completely. I had sometimes very crazy reviews like "the vocals are nice".. but I had no vocals in this track

So I would take all this reviews with a grain of salt. It gives you some different opinions about your music from people which are not your friends and so they having no problem to say that all you make is completely crap...

Fixed Error · Post by **Fixed Error** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 9:53 am

Well I already have a Reverbnation page - it's kinda like Myspace but more focused for music. A decent enough tool for musicians. This is a service they offer where you can have a track group tested by an anonymous bunch of "regular" people. Apparently, different reviews are weighted differently in terms of your overall score ie. those that are more in-depth count more towards your score. If you receive a combined score over 7.8/10 then you get a "free" Featured Artists slot on their homepage. Otherwise you can just pay for the privilege. Err, hang on, I already paid $20

I like the fact that it gets heard by people who would otherwise have little interest in what you do, and to see how they express their distaste. One of my faves was this one who commented on the xylophone. Xylophone?

“The drums to open up the song in the intro combined with the electronic sounds captivated me as a listener. The beat was
steady and had a great feel to it. The melody was impressive with the xylophone sounds. The vocal parts added a nice feel to
an electronic song and the build up was great. A good piece that I could hear in a club today.”

Also here are some images from the conclusion:

cr1.jpg

cr2.jpg

vurt · Post by **vurt** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 9:56 am

what does it cost?
im tempted to post something their way for shitz n gigglez!

Fixed Error · Post by **Fixed Error** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 9:58 am

Yes you definitely go in knowing that the type of music your doing is likely not going to be received well by a certain crowd. Especially given that it is primarily geared towards radio "hits". It'll cost you $20 for 50 reviews (silver). You can do 20 reviews for less, or 200 reviews for much more. Is it gimmicky? Jury is still out.

I love that because one person said the intro sounds like "Another One Bites The Dust" (which it clearly does not) that I am now certified 50% Queen

vurt · Post by **vurt** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 10:03 am

Atardecer wrote:Yes you definitely go in knowing that the type of music your doing is likely not going to be received well by a certain crowd. Especially given that it is primarily geared towards radio "hits". It'll cost you $20 for 50 reviews (silver). You can do 20 reviews for less, or 200 reviews for much more. Is it gimmicky? Jury is still out.

I love that cecause one person said the intro sounds like "Another One Bites The Dust" (which it clearly does not) that I am now certified 50% Queen

i think the tech that generates the graph is broken. roughly 70 percent and positive for your vocals!

4damind · Post by **4damind** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 10:19 am

IMO it's far away from Queen

Maybe some parts remembers a bit to Paul Hardcastle 19. But it fits IMO not so much this dance/mainstream radio thingy so I would not expect very high ratings.
My worst overall rating was 6.5 for a progressive ambient track and 100% considered that I had similarities with "Gorillaz"

So it depends a lot of genre/style if the crowd gives you good ratings. If you make 100% dance/mainstream track (RnB, Rap,...) I expect very good ratings.

andrew71 · Post by **andrew71** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 11:03 am

I paid for a peer review once. The thread I created is here - http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... 4&t=384863

I managed 6.1/10, which I was pretty happy with.

osiris · Post by **osiris** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 1:31 pm

Revernation keeps telling me that they will get my song on Spotify for $9.99. Is this worth it? I know CDBaby or one of those charge about the same, but do you have to pay to get on Spotify?
FWIW, they say they will market it to ITunes, etc...)

audiobot202 · Post by **audiobot202** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 1:46 pm

Nice track

Don't know if you've ever heard it (search it out if you haven't), but it reminds me a lot of 'Timebomb' by 808 State

Fixed Error · Post by **Fixed Error** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 11:36 am

Thanks Audiobot,

I know of 808 State but hadn't really listened to much of it and, yes, I can see the similarities with "Timebomb". Going thru their stuff now. Yay, now I got a back catalogue to listen to!

osiris wrote:Revernation keeps telling me that they will get my song on Spotify for $9.99. Is this worth it? I know CDBaby or one of those charge about the same, but do you have to pay to get on Spotify?
FWIW, they say they will market it to ITunes, etc...)

Haven't really dealt with Spotify so can't say. There are various broker agencies that can get your stuff onto iTunes (usually for around $10 per Tunes store I believe). In all it cost me $100 but I went with a different company in Australia. As for marketing, dont count on it. iTunes don't take any marketing campaigns unless they're from the big labels. But getting it distributed there is straightforward enough.

4damind · Post by **4damind** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 11:48 am

Spotify needs a electronic distributor. Afaik you need a labelcode etc. but it's not expensive to use some of the distributors like Mondotunes, CDBaby,... to publish on Spotify and the same time the track/album is available on many other stores/shops like iTunes, sometimes Amazon MP3, Beatport etc.
In the past I used CDBaby for this task and was very happy how easy it works (but they don't provide Beatport if this is important)

osiris · Post by **osiris** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 12:59 pm

I think this is a new thing with Reverbnation. They've sent me the review thing, which I'm not interested in. However, I'd like to know how to get a job as a reviewer.
This is what I didn't like: Email says, hey we noticed you uploaded a new song. Do you want to put it on Spotify? (No mention of cost)
Click here. Do this. Do the art. Then, when you get all done the last page is :That will cost $9.99 with a Paypal link.
I'd just like it to be more upfront. I also don't like being offered to pay for listens/followers. That just seems wrong.

Reverbnation Crowd Review - My experience