David Debuting Today: The Dropometer

You might notice things looking a bit different around SoundCloud today. We’re thrilled to be launching the latest iteration to our web platform. And we think you’re going to like it.

The drop in a track can be unpredictable and surprising. Some of you have even told us that you find it unsettling, not knowing when to expect that sense of overwhelming euphoria. Inspired by your feedback, we’ve invented the Dropometer.

Using a unique algorithm (patent pending), the Dropometer is designed to help you prepare yourself for the big moment, whether that means getting in the mental space where you can really break it down, or fixing yourself a fortifying snack.

While we first innovated the Dropometer around dubstep, we’ve identified broad utility for this new functionality across all genres. Look to the Dropometer to find out when to expect a key crescendo in a 17th-century symphony or the emotional climax in an episode of This American Life.

The Dropometer is web-only at the moment; we’ll be rolling it out to mobile in the coming weeks, so you can brace yourself for the drop on the go. Let us know what you think, and watch this space: we’ll be bringing you even more advanced features soon!

Update April 2: Happy April Fools :)

Ben SoundCloud Voices – PRX and SoundCloud

SoundCloud Partners with PRX for ‘Generation Putin’ Documentary Launch

We’re proud to be partnering with Public Radio pioneers, PRX, with the launch of their new show, Generation Putin. Here is PRX’s John Barth with more about the project.

One of PRX’s strategic goals is to massively increase listening to public radio works of all kinds, no matter the platform or channel. (We do pretty well!)

So, we’re taking one of our most successful recent specials — Generation Putin — and making it available or free streaming, embedding and sharing through SoundCloud.

Generation Putin is an hour-long show, that you can listen to in segments, about the Millennial generation in the former Soviet Union: you’ll find radicals, feminists, 20-and-30-somethings full of ennui and vodka, greedheads, unrepentant fascists and even rowdy punkers…in Kazakhstan, of all places.

Brooke Gladstone from On the Media is the host and two brave women from the Seattle Globalist – Sarah Stuteville and Jessica Partnow – did all the reporting on the scene. The generous people at the Open Society Foundations make it possible and PRX pulled the project together.

So far, 35 individual stations including WNYC, WGBH, KUOW (Seattle), KUT (Austin), and Minnesota Public Radio have aired it.

Now you can listen on SoundCloud and present it yourself on your blog, site, Facebook post or Twitter feed with your own context and comments.

Jane Audiobiography Round-up #6: Thank you for participating!

This is a guest post by SoundCloud Hero and musician Jared Brickman of One Hello World, based in Syracuse, New York. Follow and connect with the SoundCloud Heroes to find out more about community projects, collaborations and more.

On behalf of the SoundCloud Heroes, thanks to all the SoundClouders who took the time to tell the world (or show the world, for those of you who chose music and noise over verbiage) about who they are and what they do. With nearly 300 submissions, the #audiobio SoundCloud tag is now home to a fascinating cross-section of the community’s creators. And though our weekly roundups may be coming to a close for now, the indelible tag will always be there. Let’s continue to grow SoundCloud’s collection of sonic self-portrayals.

Here are some selections from the latest collection to get you inspired.

Though audiobios are all about distinct human existences, WildAmbience’s audiobio is all about capturing “the silence from the noise of human activity.”

Imagine sitting by a fire in the forest, having a conversation with Kai Altair, an artist who loves community and coming together through sound.

Praverb an emcee from Northern Virginia shares how he uses SoundCloud to connect with the global community. “I love the global unification that occurs through sound. I love the uplifting emotional experience that happens when I’m down. I love discovering music the same way I love being found.”

As diverse as SoundCloud’s genre-scape is, so to is the geography of its creators. Hailing from the UK, J Active delivers dynamic prose regarding his sonic philosophy.

We still welcome you to share your audiobiography: record a 90 second spoken and/or music trope and upload it with the #audiobio tag. Press play on other creators’ introductions and discover new opportunities to listen, collaborate and get inspired.