The New Soundcloud

DaveJ · Post by **DaveJ** » Tue Dec 04, 2012 2:29 pm

Just wondering what do you lads make of the new soundcloud? I decided to take the plunge there and see what it's like. I really wasn't impressed with the new layout. Seems ugly and hard to navigate. I thought I was stuck there to til I eventually found a link to get me out of there.

Has anyone else tried it? and what do ye think? I'll admit I didn't give it a proper go, and it may have its advantages, but I sure hope this doesn't replace the old layout, do ye think it will?

Cupz · Post by **Cupz** » Tue Dec 04, 2012 3:42 pm

I'm kinda happy with it. I hate the intrusive artist pictures everywhere, but the fact you can browse without the music stopping is a big step forward.

Torn n Frayed · Post by **Torn n Frayed** » Tue Dec 04, 2012 3:43 pm

It's like it Soundcloud for infants or something with the SUPER large buttons, I tried it for a week and went back to the previous version. It sucks.

DaveJ · Post by **DaveJ** » Tue Dec 04, 2012 3:51 pm

I actually gave it a go there, didn't like it at all. Was hoping that I wan't stuck there haha. I did manage to find a link to get rid of it. I much prefer the old soundcloud, no question.

I'd say they will be switching over to this new layout anyway will they? I fucking hope not.

bearhead · Post by **bearhead** » Tue Dec 04, 2012 11:26 pm

I didn't see this thread... Oops.

DaveJ · Post by **DaveJ** » Tue Dec 04, 2012 11:49 pm

no worries man, I just saw yours and thought yours was the first. I think we all agree that we dont like it anyway.

bearhead · Post by **bearhead** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 3:33 am

Yeah, I'm honestly not enjoying it at all. But there's a way around it.

If you click on see all stats, you can click the "You" tab, and you'll see the classic version of your profile with all the notifications on the side.

DaveJ · Post by **DaveJ** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 3:38 pm

Its a pain in the arse when websites you have your stuff up on go and fuck up the whole thing. I've had art and design stuff up on Behance for years and they decided one day to mess up the website and made it alot worse in my opinion. I hope soundcloud lets the users choose to stick with the old format if they wish, but I can't see that happening.

bearhead · Post by **bearhead** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 9:32 pm

DaveJ wrote:Its a pain in the arse when websites you have your stuff up on go and fuck up the whole thing. I've had art and design stuff up on Behance for years and they decided one day to mess up the website and made it alot worse in my opinion. I hope soundcloud lets the users choose to stick with the old format if they wish, but I can't see that happening.

I think some sites just want to have a shiny new interface every now and then. I mean, Soundcloud has had the same boring interface for a long time, so they needed something new. However... They needed something new and shiny that would work. Everything is in different places now, and it's really difficult to navigate. I have to click over just to see stats that used to be at the front page in a small box. I don't want to have to take that extra step if I don't need to. (Wow, I do sound like an American)

SampleScience · Post by **SampleScience** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 7:07 pm

The new layout is terrible, I hate it! But I think that it's permanent now, is it?

DaveJ · Post by **DaveJ** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 10:43 pm

Just to let ye know, you can switch back to the "classic" Soundcloud, if you go to "more" in the top right corner, you can select to switch back. But It's just for your own comfort really , everyone else will still see your profile in the newer format.

The new one is a pain, I particularly find it awkward when i can't read or reply to the comments on my tracks, and it is difficult to navigate. I don't know if they will keep this option, so may be best to just get used to the new one. But I'm still using the old one mostly. ( You can switch to the new one again on your homepage )

DaveJ · Post by **DaveJ** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 10:45 pm

"I think some sites just want to have a shiny new interface every now and then. I mean, Soundcloud has had the same boring interface for a long time, so they needed something new. However... They needed something new and shiny that would work. Everything is in different places now, and it's really difficult to navigate. I have to click over just to see stats that used to be at the front page in a small box. I don't want to have to take that extra step if I don't need to. (Wow, I do sound like an American)[/quote]

Yeah man, it does have it's charm, as in it looks more contemporary and kinda cool. But that's no good if ya can't use the site properly or comfortably anymore. Hopefully they will fix some of these flaws, as I'd like to use it, but it's too confusing at the minute.

EDIT: top paragraph is Alex's, sorry didn't post the quote right for some reason

Jonse · Post by **Jonse** » Fri Dec 14, 2012 4:39 pm

I'd say it sucks.

But honestly that's because I'm not used to where everything is yet.

It's just like any other interface change.

publictransport · Post by **publictransport** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 12:12 am

The changes are because they want to change Soundcloud from a community for musicians to a free music streaming service.

The one thing I appreciate is that tracks stay playing while I browse elsewhere.

I don't like the new player layout, or how big the buttons are- I'm sure they're trying to make it iPad compatible, but for anyone with a mouse this is a major PITA. I also don't like how comments aren't easily readable like they were before. In general the community features (groups, comments) seem to have been pushed aside.

I would have much rathered if they had simply introduced the new constant-play feature and left the rest alone. I'm not paying €29 a year so I can be on a free music streaming service. Last.fm pays me $2.86 a year for the same.

2020k · Post by **2020k** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 5:38 am

I'm still so confused by it. I've actually discouraged several people from releasing albums through Soundcloud now because the interface is confusing and takes a bit to find sets.

Bandcamp seems to be the most streamlined, currently.

ogwalton · Post by **ogwalton** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 8:25 pm

The new dashboard layout prevents (at least as far as I'm aware) users from seeing their followers' individual favorites, a feature which I used extensively to discover new music.

It has been mentioned before, but the constant playing feature is a plus, but not one that makes up for what is lacking.

I'm clinging on to the old layout for as long as possible!

bearhead · Post by **bearhead** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 11:59 pm

The thing that's pissing me off most about it is that it works like Twitter or Tumblr, now. You always have to keep your track on top. And with all this reposting, it's hard to find new music when everyone's reposting things. Sure, I've tried my hand at it, but I see how it clogs up my own page. The tracks shouldn't be on your page as if it's Facebook, where you're constantly updating. Tell me how many artists are putting out songs on their Soundcloud every single day like someone would do when they update their status on Facebook?

It's a useless feature. Soundcloud is about finding new artists, not shoving reposts in your face that no one is going to click on.

GH · Post by GH » Sun Dec 30, 2012 5:57 pm

I'm noticing a lot more audible clicks and pops during track playback than there used to be.

Treefingers · Post by **Treefingers** » Sun Dec 30, 2012 10:17 pm

I don't mind it, really. The new notifications are a nice touch, though I preferred the old stats table showing weekly and all-time plays, views, downloads, etc.

I'll be honest though, Soundcloud's never actually been perfect, has it? I welcome some of these changes.

2ndMOUSE · Post by **2ndMOUSE** » Mon Jan 07, 2013 10:01 pm

I hate it.
Im on a samsung tablet and most of the time , it cant make its mind up if it wants to add links via soundcloud mobile or soundcloud desktop.
The desktop version is awful for a few reasons.
My eyesight aint 20/20 anymore and i gotta zoom in on things. When i pinch the screen the 3 different columns disappear under each other. It looks like a train wreck with fonts all over the place.

When they first brought out the beta there was a banner along the top saying " would you like to try the NEW soundcloud ? " and after trying it , and deciding i preferred the original , i got that same banner every time i logged in. I was like " is it the N bit or the O bit you're not grasping soundcloud ? "
There was a way to revert to the original display of soundcloud 1.0 , but I cant seem to find it now. Did they make 2.0 the default version now or is the option still there , albeit hidden away somewhere ?

I wish people would stop tampering with things that dont need fixed. Thats what happened to myspace.