Hi there !

I am on the process of creating a website designed for musicians, but I first would like to know what musicians think about it.

How would it works ?
You create a profile (similar to myspace and stuff), then upload recordings of single instruments. You can "tag" it with styles, not in the "rock-blues-rap" way, more in the "slow/fast, dark/positive..." way. The music you add to this site will be free to be used by any user. That's for adding something.

You can also listen to what other people created, with a regular search function for recordings (per instrument, style, ratings...) or musicians. Then you can rate it, musically, technically, and how well does it fit its "tags". You can also download it for using it in your own creation. That's part of the deal, free music for everyone.

All of the above is kinda "step 1" of the website.
If I get that far, step 2 would add an online interface for creating whole tracks, a bit of mixing and stuff.
The basic idea behind all of it is to allow people to create bands from all over the world.

Hence the cost of web hosting, I am also looking for ways to earn money through this site.
Here's are a few options.
Advertising, as small as it could be.
A few megs of storage free, and you have to pay for more.
Donating.

Thanks for you time, any comments welcome.

Hm... I dunno what to vote for. I would say advertising would be the way to go, becuase then you know oyu have a constant income source. But then add a donations button, because there are always some people who will donate.

However, awesome idea, and I heartily approve.

Advertising with the possibility to register in order to remove ads?

I think the idea is somewhat strange. I don't really see any incentive for me to upload anything to something like that. The mixing of single tracks isn't going to sound all that good when the tracks haven't been recorded to fit with each other...

The mixing of single tracks isn't going to sound all that good when the tracks haven't been recorded to fit with each other...

Because of tempo ? Big problem indeed, but to each problem a solution.
If it is because of something else, could you precise your thoughts ?

And as I said, the basic idea is to form "bands" (even if it's only for a track) over the internet, so you can totally record tracks to fit with another one. But good point you have here anyway...

I think it's excellent idea, I suspect making it technically could be a bit complicated though, if I understood you correctly site would be sort of on-line multitrack recorder. Don't know if anyone made something like that yet, but if you have technology then it would be seriously spiffy thing.

The mixing of single tracks isn't going to sound all that good when the tracks haven't been recorded to fit with each other...

Because of tempo ? Big problem indeed, but to each problem a solution.

Well, requiring user to place BPM info etc. next to every entry and generally requiring him/her to upload evenly performed stuff should do the trick?

Anyway, I'm not sure if I'd use it since I feel rather crap at music, but as I said, I like idea very much and think it would work even if wasn't entirely free (plenty of people pays for crap like pro flickr accounts and stuff and this would be much more sophisticated).

edit: btw, something similiar already exists, but in a form of a standalone app and probably working in bit different way that idea of yours.

I like the idea, but I dont like the thought of someone else using my music. Maybe to add on to it, add drums or bass or maybe a lead guitar part. But I just dont like the thought of giving my creativity to others for nothing.

But then again this is the internet.

If you worked out the kinks and got it to work like you described it, this could be an amazing revolution for musicians everywhere.

The mixing of single tracks isn't going to sound all that good when the tracks haven't been recorded to fit with each other...

Because of tempo ? Big problem indeed, but to each problem a solution.
If it is because of something else, could you precise your thoughts ?

Tempo, key, rhythms, chords, melodies... basically everything. The idea is intriguing, but I don't think it would work if you do it like you describe in the first message, with people uploading single instruments and then expecting them to be easy to combine into something new.

I suggest this kind of approach instead:
- Say I'm a user of your site. I have a guitar riff that I like but I have writer's block and don't know how to develop it into a song. So I go to your site and click "create new project" or whatever, upload the riff, and ask other people for ideas and contributions until eventually it could evolve to a full song. Alternatively I could browse the site and see if there are other projects that could benefit from my contributions.
- The main point is that all audio snippets are tied to a project. Every project should have some kind of leader (the creator) who has a final say in what goes in the song. Then you could have stuff like splitting projects or importing parts from other projects to make the whole thing more networked and dynamic.

The technology for this is tricky but doable. There might also be strange licensing/legal issues involving the music...

Now, grrrv here has basically the same idea I have. I like his take on this.

I like his take on this.

So do I.
Basically, it's just adding the option to create project, and give the creator rights on it, like inviting people to join it, accept or reject people willing to join it, etc.

The technology for this is tricky but doable.

Know anything about programming ? I don't I am planning on hiring someone to do it once the design is done, so if you're interested...

There might also be strange licensing/legal issues involving the music...

Again, please, precise your thoughts, I can't read into them yet.
Free for all, unless it is for commercial uses. Isn't that right ?

Thanks for the interest everyone.

NINJAM shows this, before you connect, might be a help:

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http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ ):

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Your fair use and other rights are in no way affected by the above.

You're making creative commons licensed stuff, basically.

I like his take on this.

So do I.
Basically, it's just adding the option to create project, and give the creator rights on it, like inviting people to join it, accept or reject people willing to join it, etc.

Thanks. Maybe instead of accepting/rejecting people it would be better to accept/reject only the files? That way it's less personal and more about the music.

Know anything about programming ? I don't I am planning on hiring someone to do it once the design is done, so if you're interested...

I don't know much about programming for the web... This sounds like it could be a huge programming effort, so hiring one guy might not be enough. Also, you might need some fancy (so, expensive ) servers if you want to process lots of audio on them.

There might also be strange licensing/legal issues involving the music...

Again, please, precise your thoughts, I can't read into them yet.
Free for all, unless it is for commercial uses. Isn't that right ?

This I don't know much about either. Licensing everything under Creative Commons sounds like a good idea. Still, there might be some issues specific to music, like performer/composer rights. Also, it will be very tricky to draw a line concerning plagiarism, e.g., if somebody uploads a riff that's coincidentally a bit like Enter Sandman. I'm just saying you should consult a lawyer before shit hits the fan