Review of Music Xray's S2O service

August 2, 2010

I read about Music Xray's S2O service in a LinkedIn forum and thought "what a great idea" so I signed up and entered The Genre Benders' album into the system (free). The "matches" the S2O system produces are based on mathematical analysis of the songs, not human ears, so I was curious as to the results. Thought I'd share my experiences of it.

Signup and upload worked seamlessly. Great interface, simple and easy to use.

I uploaded tracks on Thursday and got my first "match" messages on Sunday, August 1 (Australian time). Not every song got matched, but 6 of 11 got between one and six "probable" matches. Here's where I'm a bit discouraged.

The album's first track, "Long for the day", is an up-tempo acoustic-jazz tribute to Independent musicians and their lot in life. It got six matches, including "Internet Radio Airplay - Reggae - 100 Spins for $35" and "Love Songs wanted for compilation project ". It is neither reggae nor a love song.

Interestingly, the album's second track "Dancing with the Stones" IS reggae-based. It also got 6 matches, including "Internet Radio Airplay - Pop - 100 Spins for $35" but did not get matched to the reggae opportunity mentioned above.

The album's Lullabye, entitled "Lullabye", got three matches, including "Seeking New Music Talent Specializing in Darker Music Genres".

And here's the kicker: my Hillbilly lovesong, "Heart's with you", got three matches, including "Seeking songs for Lucas Hoge" but when, within hours of receiving the email, I clicked on this opportunity, the page said it had expired 2 days earlier and would provide no way for me to contact the provider.

Now, I have, for some time, had a serious aversion to these "opportunity" websites, including Sonicbids and so on. I'm not challenging the authenticity of those involved in this approach the 21st century music business but, to my way of thinking, paying for a product or service is BUSINESS, but paying for an "opportunity" is gambling. I won't gamble with my music.

Elsewhere in the LinkedIn forums, Mike started an interesting discussion called "You Can’t Spell Music Business without 'Business'".

I'll post his response to my experience of Music Xray's S2O service and also want to hear about other experiences people have had with it or similar. I'm hoping that the algorithms S2O uses are being refined and will actually contribute something to the music business in future.

Please persuade me that my aversion is unjustified ...

Posted by Huge at August 2, 2010 12:57 PM | TrackBack

Comments

Wow, a greatly well articulated and on the money review....you are right on!
Music xray is a SCAM!!!
Sonic bids makes million$ so this is just simply competition for a piece of the pie.

I agree, there is no rhyme or reason to the s2o matching thing...whatta joke!

I would never give this guy a dime...

I used sonicbids for a little while and got selected for 'opportunities' that were indeed real but didn't result in anything... everything that seemed like a dream opportunity I submitted for NEVER got selected....YET my music sells well on iTunes et al and I get plenty radio airplay on my own and I get great reviews so these scam opportunities don't add up or match the success I get from my own efforts and connections.

Most of the opportunities on these sites are from unknown labels/companies who are here today gone tomorrow.
So the best advice is to steer clear and stay far away from music xray, sonicbids and all the other vultures who scam $5 a pop but it does add up for them if enough suckers take the bait.

I advise artists to submit to college and indie radio on their own. I f your music and production is solid then you will get played, but played in a good way as in your music being played to thousands...not being played for a sucker and a fool. :-)
Play lots of gigs to get noticed...if you are good then you will get more gigs and you'll get noticed and sell ur merch at ur gis and people will buy it if they like you and ur tunes.

That is REAL advice and not foolish gambling as mentioned here...and this blog is correct. =D

I know hundreds of artists who are talented with great music that's well produced and not one has ever had tangible success/results with music xray, sonic bids and all the others. We/they do have success from selling on iTunes, playing gigs and submitting to college radio.
Caveat emptor buyer beware don't fall for the scams and they go to thin air! :-) Thanks!

Posted by: scambuster at October 2, 2011 6:05 PM