View Full Version : Spotify
ucanseetheend
08-12-11, 02:51
I find this great software and the free service good with a huge library of classical music available
https://www.spotify.com/uk/
Oh and I'm not advertising :smiley:
Lion-of-Vienna
08-12-11, 09:38
Agreed - up to a point. The sound quality is good, better than the Naxos Music Library. The catalogue of available music is large. As a Haydn lover I found the complete Dorati symphonies and operas as well as many other symphony sets that I was keen to hear (Hogwood, Beecham, Jochum etc). There are also more Bruckner and Mahler cycles than you would ever be able to listen to.
But the adverts!!! I can just about put up with them between the movements of a symphony but it becomes very disconcerting when listening to something continuous like an opera and an advert suddenly pops up, sometimes in the middle of a note.
My other moans are that the search facility is a bit hit and miss and it is not easy to keep up with new recordings as they are added. Finally they have a tendency to cut the recording before the end of a track, often losing as much as the last 10seconds of the performance.
But of course it's free and for that we must be very grateful.
johncorrigan
08-12-11, 10:30
But the adverts!!! I can just about put up with them between the movements of a symphony but it becomes very disconcerting when listening to something continuous like an opera and an advert suddenly pops up, sometimes in the middle of a note.
Us folks on the World Board have been enjoying Spotify for the last couple of years. I gave up on the adverts about three or four months ago deciding that a fiver a month was a reasonable investment for the amount of use I gave it and to get rid of the drivel.
It has allowed us to share playlists, have cooperative playlists and to send tracks to each other. Previously we used Youtube with its limitations and lack of options. There's just so much in there - songs you never thought you'd hear again seem to turn up.
On the downside we have tended to report that we avoid our own record collections as there is so much on Spotify, but I have to say that its been a great boon to my listening pleasure. There's so much in there - a great tool.:gift:
Us folks on the World Board have been enjoying Spotify for the last couple of years. I gave up on the adverts about three or four months ago deciding that a fiver a month was a reasonable investment for the amount of use I gave it and to get rid of the drivel.
On the downside we have tended to report that we avoid our own record collections as there is so much on Spotify, but I have to say that its been a great boon to my listening pleasure. There's so much in there - a great tool.:gift:I completely agree, johncorrigan! :ok:
A small amount of money very well spent :biggrin:
Yes, Spotify is an invaluable resource - these is such a wealth of recordings available that I sometimes wonder "what is the point of buying these CD when they available on Spotify". At the very least it enables me to explore repertoire and recordings which I otherwise wouldn't buy.
I subscribe to the Premium package - mainly because I can then stream Spotify to my audio system via Squeezebox and, of course, it gives access to the higher quality audio (320 kbps vs 160 kbps OGG).
One extremely important thing when using Spotify is to ensure that volume normalisation is switched OFF: untick Preferences/Playback: Set the same volume for all tracks.
There are a few grumbles though:
Spotify's own search facility is very poor indeed and sometimes misses the very recording that you are trying to find. (The Squeezebox Third Party Spotify plugin has a much better search facility.)
Sometimes the CDs (or albums) aren't accurately tagged - which makes searching even more hit and miss.
Up to earlier this year the situation was that only around 25% of CDs were actually available at the higher 320 kbps quality (and there was no indication which were and which were not). Since then things have dramatically improved and (from what I've seen) the vast majority of CDs are now at the higher quality.
When a continuous work is split into tracks - Spotify inserts a short silence between the tracks and (as far as I can tell) does a quick fade in to the following track.
I've read that sometimes a couple of seconds can be missed at the start of an album if the music starts immediately but I haven't experienced it.
These are relatively minor niggles.
ucanseetheend
08-12-11, 13:42
When a continuous work is split into tracks - Spotify inserts a short silence between the tracks and (as far as I can tell) does a quick fade in to the following track.
I've read that sometimes a couple of seconds can be missed at the start of an album if the music starts immediately but I haven't experienced it.
These are relatively minor niggles.
Yes,I wanted to listen and record(oops) my favourite Enigma Variations the LSO with Monteux, but they do split all the variations and its really frustrating when its not a continuous piece.
ucanseetheend
08-12-11, 13:48
One extremely important thing when using Spotify is to ensure that volume normalisation is switched OFF: untick Preferences/Playback: Set the same value for all tracks.
I think you mean " set the same volume for all tracks"
Why is it extremely important? surely a matter of personal preference with the sound.
I think you mean " set the same volume for all tracks"
Whoops - thanks for pointing that out - now corrected
Why is it extremely important? surely a matter of personal preference with the sound.
Well, I guess that everything can be expressed as personal preferences. However, Spotify with volume normalisation enabled sounds absolutely dreadful IMO and it removes the relative dynamic levels between, say, a quiet slow movement and a movement where the full orchestral forces are employed fff.
ucanseetheend
08-12-11, 14:39
Whoops - thanks for pointing that out - now corrected
Well, I guess that everything can be expressed as personal preferences. However, Spotify with volume normalisation enabled sounds absolutely dreadful IMO and it removes the relative dynamic levels between, say, a quiet slow movement and a movement where the full orchestral forces are employed fff.
Actually I just listened with that box unchecked and it was awful sound. low amplification and couldnt hear the various parts of the orchestra, Dreadful.
Actually I just listened with that box unchecked and it was awful sound. low amplification and couldnt hear the various parts of the orchestra, Dreadful.
Well, if you enjoy the compression and normalisation that is employed on all pop music (but not on classical recordings) then you will be in a seventh heaven with Spotify normalisation.
For the rest of us who value maintaining the full dynamic range of recordings and not having the sound screwed up with processing - switching off Spotify's normalisation is infinitely to be preferred.
As you said - it's about personal preferences
Byas'd Opinion
08-12-11, 21:06
Am I right in thinking that you need to have a Facebook account before you can sign up for Spotify?
And is there any way I can see what their catalogue is like without signing up?
ucanseetheend
09-12-11, 02:29
For the rest of us .....
I am on my own?I think not . and it all depends on what equipment you are listening to any recording. Many of us haven't got the "top end" expensive audio.
Globaltruth
09-12-11, 09:14
Am I right in thinking that you need to have a Facebook account before you can sign up for Spotify?
And is there any way I can see what their catalogue is like without signing up?
No you don't need FB, but, yes, I think you do need to register before you can search.
I too switched to the Premium service and am very pleased with it. i agree that their search facility is very poor and disappointingly, often fails to find a recording that is available but one learns to search by work, artist, orchestra etc to get round this. The gaps between tracks can annoying too, especially in opera and I have asked them to sort it out - perhaps other users have done likewise?
johnb thanks for the tip about volume normalisation, I'll give it a try.
Globaltruth
09-12-11, 12:00
I too switched to the Premium service and am very pleased with it. i agree that their search facility is very poor and disappointingly, often fails to find a recording that is available but one learns to search by work, artist, orchestra etc to get round this. The gaps between tracks can annoying too, especially in opera and I have asked them to sort it out - perhaps other users have done likewise?
johnb thanks for the tip about volume normalisation, I'll give it a try.
I also use the premium service and think it is good value. I would like to know how the artists on there get recompensed - the details, as opposed to the general concept (they get paid every time a track is paid). I have heard rumblings that this payment is very low and that certain distributors have withdrawn their catalogues (http://www.thinq.co.uk/2011/11/17/spotify-loses-music-200-labels/).
There are several shortcomings in the richness of the Spotiy user experience. I suspect this is an intentional design strategy - to keep the software as simple as possible, given the number of different platforms it runs on and the overriding need for speed in finding and loading a track. However Spotify have recently, and perhaps inevitably, announced Spotify 'apps'. (http://www.spotify.com/uk/about/apps/) and at some point I'll wade through the hype and verbiage and see if there is anything there of value which may help improve search, create playlists and also provide an automated switch-on and switch-off service.
Like johnb I also use Logitech Squeezecentre and have recently bought iPeng which does a lot of the above for Squeezecentre and associated players and runs on an iPhone. A very sweet little application but sometimes I want to listen to Spotify direct...
iPeng which does a lot of the above for Squeezecentre and associated players and runs on an iPhone. A very sweet little application....
I have been looking enviously at the iPad+iPeng combination but can't justify forking out £400 for a remote, even though it seems to be ideal.
ucanseetheend
10-12-11, 10:38
I also use the premium service and think it is good value. I would like to know how the artists on there get recompensed - the details, as opposed to the general concept (they get paid every time a track is paid). I have heard rumblings that this payment is very low and that certain distributors have withdrawn their catalogues (http://www.thinq.co.uk/2011/11/17/spotify-loses-music-200-labels/).
There are several shortcomings in the richness of the Spotiy user experience. I suspect this is an intentional design strategy - to keep the software as simple as possible, given the number of different platforms it runs on and the overriding need for speed in finding and loading a track. However Spotify have recently, and perhaps inevitably, announced Spotify 'apps'. (http://www.spotify.com/uk/about/apps/) and at some point I'll wade through the hype and verbiage and see if there is anything there of value which may help improve search, create playlists and also provide an automated switch-on and switch-off service.
Like johnb I also use Logitech Squeezecentre and have recently bought iPeng which does a lot of the above for Squeezecentre and associated players and runs on an iPhone. A very sweet little application but sometimes I want to listen to Spotify direct...
I am sure Seven though Spotify has a large classical music catalogue I dont think the software/search facilty is targetted at that audience.
Having switched off volume normalisation I hear a better sound than before.
Many thanks johnb.
Stunsworth
11-12-11, 16:46
I'm a premium subscriber and the range of music is astonishing. As a premium subscriber I also have access to the Spotify app on my phone.
Biggest gripes are the poor tagging of some classical albums, and the brief silence between tracks.
I use the mobile app and use AirPlay on the phone to route the music to my stereo via an Apple TV2.
Alf-Prufrock
11-12-11, 21:47
If I understand the matter aright, Spotify would put a break between the third and fourth movements of Beethoven 5, and in all similar attacca situations. Do I understand correctly? If I do I shall never use Spotify.
Alf-Prufrock,
Yes there are momentary gaps whenever one track ends and another begins. With, as an example, Previn's Belshazzar's Feast the gaps last for around 1/3 of a second - similar to a drop-out in the days of tape recorders.
There have been many requests for Spotify to provide a gap free option but, so far, they haven't given any indication that they are considering doing so. I might be that the process by why they create the files also creates the gap (and a very short fade in) in order to accommodate the adverts they use for non-paying users. If that is so, providing a gap free would be a significant problem for them - at least as far as their enormous existing catalogue is concerned.
In spite of the gap problem there is such an enormous wealth of classical recordings on Spotify that it is still an amazing resource, e.g. this evening I listened to Sargent's Planets with the BBC SO and Lutoslowski's Concerto for Orchestra conducted by the composer.
Another example is the Messiaen Anniversary Box Set which many people have ordered but which hasn't been available (see the Bargain's thread) - well the whole lot is there on Spotify. Or fancy exploring Ligeti - a search on his name reveals 61 CDs (admittedly that was using Squeezebox and it's Third Party Plugin for the search - searching via the Spotify application is much more a challenge.
ucanseetheend
14-12-11, 06:47
Having created a facebook account and then registering for Spotify I had it for 14 days and now it appears as offline and unable to connect. When I logged in to my Spotify account it said my free time had expired and I had to subscribe to premium. How is this? The advertisement says free for 6 months
Having created a facebook account and then registering for Spotify I had it for 14 days and now it appears as offline and unable to connect. When I logged in to my Spotify account it said my free time had expired and I had to subscribe to premium. How is this? The advertisement says free for 6 monthsI have a premium account, and I don't have this problem. However, I gave quite a few of the introductions to friends and colleagues. The rules have changed over the years. I think that currently you only get about 20 hours free (including the adverts too, maybe) each month, and then it stops. I suspect that if you wait a few more weeks you'll get an allowance then too.
Check the latest charges. There may be a light user rate which will give you most of what you want, without having to pay the premium rate.
If you really think you're not getting the deal you signed up for, then send an email to customer services and see what they say.
Alf-Prufrock,
Yes there are momentary gaps whenever one track ends and another begins. With, as an example, Previn's Belshazzar's Feast the gaps last for around 1/3 of a second - similar to a drop-out in the days of tape recorders.
There have been many requests for Spotify to provide a gap free option but, so far, they haven't given any indication that they are considering doing so. I might be that the process by why they create the files also creates the gap (and a very short fade in) in order to accommodate the adverts they use for non-paying users. If that is so, providing a gap free would be a significant problem for them - at least as far as their enormous existing catalogue is concerned.
In spite of the gap problem there is such an enormous wealth of classical recordings on Spotify that it is still an amazing resource, e.g. this evening I listened to Sargent's Planets with the BBC SO and Lutoslowski's Concerto for Orchestra conducted by the composer.
Another example is the Messiaen Anniversary Box Set which many people have ordered but which hasn't been available (see the Bargain's thread) - well the whole lot is there on Spotify. Or fancy exploring Ligeti - a search on his name reveals 61 CDs (admittedly that was using Squeezebox and it's Third Party Plugin for the search - searching via the Spotify application is much more a challenge.
The worst offenders for gaps are typically variations. I gave up on some variations by Boris Blacher, and bought the CD instead.
Sometimes even iTunes can be problematic with tracks. Not sure if the problem extends to CDs which I rip myself, or indeed what would happen with the Squeezebox server (which uses the same iTunes library). I ought to see if my CD rip of the Blacher variations has this problem - in which case I'll have to keep the CD to hand. (Think it's this CD - http://www.amazon.com/Boris-Blacher-Orchestral-Variations-Paganini/dp/B00095LMDA)
I like the Sargent Planets too - I believe I still have the LP somewhere. Is it available as a CD still?
Interesting about the Messiaen box. I too keep getting messages every few days, but at least they've not cancelled my order yet.
Spotify is perhaps a better bet than download sites, such as eMusic - though it depends how one uses these services.
Suffolkcoastal
18-12-11, 14:28
Once you purchased a standard or premium account how do you cancel it if after 6 months you've had enough? I can't find anything on the spotify site to indicate this.
Once you purchased a standard or premium account how do you cancel it if after 6 months you've had enough? I can't find anything on the spotify site to indicate this.
http://www.spotify.com/uk/help/faq/payment/how-can-i-cancel-my-subscription/
Suffolkcoastal
18-12-11, 16:19
I've tried that page JohnB but there isn't any indication on how to cancel on the subscription page. I like to know how I can cancel before I apply to join in the 1st place.
Suffolkcoast,
If you go to the "Subscription page", using the link in the website I pointed to, there is a further link to "Manage your subscription: View your options". That takes you to a page asking you to reconsider unsubscribing. At the bottom of that page there is a link: "Click here to continue to the cancellation page". That takes you to the page where you can either revert to a free user or cancel your subscription.
As is so often the case, it sounds more complicated than it is in practice.
Suffolkcoastal
18-12-11, 17:25
None of this appears on my subscription page, looks like I may have a problem downloading the page properly.
Suffolkcoastal,
The only thing I can think of is that all the options might not be displayed if you don't have a premium account.
In spite of the gap problem there is such an enormous wealth of classical recordings on Spotify that it is still an amazing resource
Perhaps a "What have you been listening to on Spotify" thread would be useful?
Recently I've been listening to:
Prokofiev - String Quartets 1 and 2 (Pavel Haas Quartet)
Das Rheingold (Thielemann)
Frank Martin - Six monologues from "Jedermann" and Three excerpts from "Der Sturm" (Fischer-Dieskau and the composer)
Vaughan Williams 4th Symphony (the composer)
Vaughan Williams 4th Symphony (Boult 1950s)
among others :biggrin:
Perhaps a "What have you been listening to on Spotify" thread would be useful?
among others :biggrin:Maybe, but why not simply go to the "What are you listening to now? (http://www.for3.org/forums/showthread.php?350-What-are-you-listening-to-now)" thread, and indicate that you're using Spotify.
What might be of interest is to post your Spotify username and/or to provide a list of Spotify playlists. I don't think there are any major issues with privacy etc., or does it expose details which one might be wary of disclosing? [e.g who your friends are, or your taste in Abba! :laugh:]
Has something happened to the Squeezebox/Spotify plug-in from Triode again? Actually last time I thought I had this problem I think it turned out to be a password issue, or maybe there was also a file I had to delete. I was about to email Triode, but then found some hints from a previous email from him. Spotify is not currently working for me with my SB3 Squeezebox, but it works on other machines. Napster does work though.
Looks like more toubleshooting needed!
Has something happened to the Squeezebox/Spotify plug-in from Triode again? Actually last time I thought I had this problem I think it turned out to be a password issue, or maybe there was also a file I had to delete. I was about to email Triode, but then found some hints from a previous email from him. Spotify is not currently working for me with my SB3 Squeezebox, but it works on other machines. Napster does work though.
Looks like more toubleshooting needed!I think I've solved this yet again. I think that what happens is that when Logitech issue an update the details of my Spotify password get lost, and then none of the devices will connect to the service - obviously. There's no visible error message though. I don't know why Spotify passwords get wiped, yet seemingly the passwords for other services (e.g Napster) don't.
You're a brave man if you allow the automatic updates to Squeezebox Server (now Logitech Media Server). I've turned them off and only use a new version (a) when it provides something new that I want and, most importantly, (b) when user reports show that there are no bugs. Going on the last few releases it seems that versions 7.x.0 are best avoided.
I have spent a few five pounds on a occasional months of Spotify Unlimited, particularly to listen to things like operas and Brian's Gothic (with a Bruckner Symphony the ads are bareable because you just turn your headphones off between the enormous tracks!). However sometimes I found the service was not up to scratch for something you're paying for: albums disappearing, poor naming, poor search. And when they introduced the five-song play limit for normal users I thought that was against the spirit of what I originally starting using the program for. So now I use Grooveshark, which may have problems with incomplete albums and quality but at least it is free, has no audio ads and if I really want to listen to a particular piece I do not have, I can usually find it. (www.grooveshark.com, it all runs out of your browser). Really the service is far from perfect but then so was Spotify and I can't really consider giving them money when their program and service has so many problems.
Suffolkcoastal
30-12-11, 21:42
Just spent 90 mins trying to either backup or copy the two playlists I've created in Spotify to CD but nothing works. Looks like a waste of money to me.
Just spent 90 mins trying to either backup or copy the two playlists I've created in Spotify to CD but nothing works. Looks like a waste of money to me.
Were you trying to copy the actual tracks to CD? If so had you purchased the tracks from Spotify?
(My understanding is that Spotify is primarily a source for streaming music but with an option to buy and download albums/tracks.)
Suffolkcoastal
30-12-11, 22:50
I'd purchased 5 tracks from spotify and created two playlists from them. I was trying to copy the two playlists on to a CD and also my external hard drive as a back up, but there appears to be no way of doing this even though the website says you can (but doesn't tell you how to do it).
I'd purchased 5 tracks from spotify and created two playlists from them. I was trying to copy the two playlists on to a CD and also my external hard drive as a back up, but there appears to be no way of doing this even though the website says you can (but doesn't tell you how to do it).Doesn't this give some clues:
"Where is my downloaded music stored on my computer?
Purchased tracks are automatically downloaded to your computer’s default music folder, and can be found in a folder called “Spotify”. The music files are organised by Artist, and then by Album.
If you would like to change the location to which tracks are downloaded, you can do this in the Preferences page in Spotify."
Taken from http://www.spotify.com/uk/help/faq/purchases/
I've never tried this myself, so don't know if it works. I don't see why it shouldn't though. There's also an off-line mode, which I have used to create temporary files for playback while not connected to the internet.
Suffolkcoastal
30-12-11, 23:25
Thanks John, yes the off-line mode has worked and they have just appeared as temporary files on my pc's hard drive. An odd way to get the playlists in a recordable format to back-up but appears to be working. Itunes is so much easier.
Thanks John, yes the off-line mode has worked and they have just appeared as temporary files on my pc's hard drive. An odd way to get the playlists in a recordable format to back-up but appears to be working. Itunes is so much easier.What format are those files in? I thought that Spotify is based on the use of Ogg Vorbis formats, so you may have to go a step or two more to get them in a format you can use.
Suffolkcoastal
01-01-12, 18:13
No idea I'm afraid Dave they show as HP Music files, they appear to have copied successfully though.
When I open Spotify it's currently giving me the chance to listen to a jazz album by 'Andre Pervin' (sic)
That's almost as good as Andrew Preview :biggrin:
When I open Spotify it's currently giving me the chance to listen to a jazz album by 'Andre Pervin' (sic)
That's almost as good as Andrew Preview :biggrin::laugh:
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