Some time ago, Soundlantern looked like being a very useful audio-only alternative to YouTube. Sadly, its website collapsed earlier this year and all we have had now for several months is a message from Rufus Miles informing us that "We shall soon be launching a whole new audio experience!". You may put your own interpretation on "soon".
I've been looking for an alternative, and there is a free website http://www.upload-mp3.com which provides the user with 500MB free storage for uploaded mp3 files. It's free because there are loads of ads, but never mind, you can't have it all! It is easy enough to upload a file - up to 50MB max in one go, and 250MB max bandwidth per day, which should be ample for most musicians (1MB of 128kbps mp3 equates to about 1 minute playing time).
Only the uploader has access to his files - which are user name and password protected - so it does not appear possible to browse and download indiscriminately, as you could with Soundlantern. However, the uploader can publish a link to a file so that others may play it.
I experimented with upload-mp3 last night, recording and uploading a simple piece of music on the violin and putting the link on my bio. It all went simply and easily (apart from the dreadful business of actually playing and recording the music to something approaching an acceptable standard!). I've chosen to use "lazyhound" as my user name on upload-mp3 for easy continuity with TheSession.
Upload-mp3 doesn't ask for a user profile, and there seems to be little provision for this other than an optional email address for other members to use (which is good, imo, for privacy considerations).
It seems that upload-mp3 will accept audio formats other than mp3, so I experimented with wma - not a good idea, because it looks like the hapless downloader will get bogged down in the mire of DRM, so I deleted the wma version. I'd recommend using a bit rate higher the the ubiquitous 128kbps for decent sound from mp3 - anything from 160 upwards should be ok.
Does anyone have suggestions for other similar (free) audio websites, if possible with easy browsing and downloading as there is with YouTube? I'm only interested in audio because I believe that video for solo music is mostly a distraction not only in the video recording process, with all its inevitable editing, but for the listener (unless it's a live performance or just an honest-to-god instructional video).
Soundlantern ... an alternative
Soundlantern ... an alternative
Some time ago, Soundlantern looked like being a very useful audio-only alternative to YouTube. Sadly, its website collapsed earlier this year and all we have had now for several months is a message from Rufus Miles informing us that "We shall soon be launching a whole new audio experience!". You may put your own interpretation on "soon".
I've been looking for an alternative, and there is a free website http://www.upload-mp3.com which provides the user with 500MB free storage for uploaded mp3 files. It's free because there are loads of ads, but never mind, you can't have it all! It is easy enough to upload a file - up to 50MB max in one go, and 250MB max bandwidth per day, which should be ample for most musicians (1MB of 128kbps mp3 equates to about 1 minute playing time).
Only the uploader has access to his files - which are user name and password protected - so it does not appear possible to browse and download indiscriminately, as you could with Soundlantern. However, the uploader can publish a link to a file so that others may play it.
I experimented with upload-mp3 last night, recording and uploading a simple piece of music on the violin and putting the link on my bio. It all went simply and easily (apart from the dreadful business of actually playing and recording the music to something approaching an acceptable standard!). I've chosen to use "lazyhound" as my user name on upload-mp3 for easy continuity with TheSession.
Upload-mp3 doesn't ask for a user profile, and there seems to be little provision for this other than an optional email address for other members to use (which is good, imo, for privacy considerations).
It seems that upload-mp3 will accept audio formats other than mp3, so I experimented with wma - not a good idea, because it looks like the hapless downloader will get bogged down in the mire of DRM, so I deleted the wma version. I'd recommend using a bit rate higher the the ubiquitous 128kbps for decent sound from mp3 - anything from 160 upwards should be ok.
Does anyone have suggestions for other similar (free) audio websites, if possible with easy browsing and downloading as there is with YouTube? I'm only interested in audio because I believe that video for solo music is mostly a distraction not only in the video recording process, with all its inevitable editing, but for the listener (unless it's a live performance or just an honest-to-god instructional video).
# Posted on August 14th 2009 by lazyhound
Re: Soundlantern ... an alternative
I believe it was posted not too long ago:
http://archive.folx.org/
Made for world music in general, you can upload tunes, audio and video files.
(fiddle4u has already uploaded some nice stuff for example)
# Posted on August 14th 2009 by TMB
Plans to relaunch Soundlantern
http://www.rufusmiles.com/welcome.html
# Posted on August 14th 2009 by Random_notes
Re: Soundlantern ... an alternative
While your waiting for Sound Lantern to return, you might like to check out:
Irish Traditional Musicians: http://irishtraditionalmusic.ning.com/
You can post your Videos, MP3s & Photos on your profile pages, which only other members can visit!
Cheers
Dick
# Posted on August 16th 2009 by Ptarmigan