Dubset (formerly known as The Future FM) is an online mixed-audio distribution platform that allows DJs to upload, host and share their mixes, podcasts, etc. It assures DJs that the underlying rights holders sampled within the mix will be paid royalties for their works.[1] Dubset is the distribution arm of Dubset Media Holdings, which is based in New York City.
Type of site | Distribution Platform, Internet Radio |
|---|---|
| Owner | Dubset Media Holdings, LLC. |
| URL | www |
| Commercial | Yes |
| Launched | 4 April 2012 |
Dubset has licensing deals with Sony Music, Warner Music Group,[2] Sony/ATV Music Publishing, the National Music Publishers' Association and the Merlin Network[3] for the monetization of remixes. These remixes can be delivered to Apple Music, Spotify, and Tidal.[4] The company is still in talks with Universal Music Group for the inclusion of their catalogue.[5]
In March 2020, Dubset was acquired by Pex.[6]
History
editThe Future FM was formerly known as Dubset.com before being rebranded in May 2012. It began with the founder, Dave Stein, growing frustrated that he couldn't legally publish or share live DJ sets online which he was experiencing at parties. Therefore, Dubset.com created a proprietary technology, MixSCAN, that allows tracks being sampled within a mix to be properly fingerprinted and reported for rights flow purposes. This allowed the site to position itself as one of the first compliant services for streaming DJ mixed content. The technology itself piqued the interest of many, which in turn opened new business lines and opportunities for Dubset. The platform received an initial $500,000 in seed funding from Governing Dynamics VC and various other angels.[7] After a year of operating as Dubset.com, there was a shift towards rebranding in order to advance the features of the platform, as well as to help clear up the confusion surrounding the phonetic similarities between both the name of the site and the popular dance genre dubstep.[8]
The Future FM created an Indiegogo campaign in the beginning of 2013 in order to take the next step in the development of their MixSCAN technology.[9] Since then, The Future FM has revamped their brand design, site and overall features. Some of these features include, embeddable and social media players, in which notable artists have begun using such as, David Guetta,[10] Tiësto[11] and Afrojack.[12]
Technology
editThe proprietary technology, MixSCAN, serves as the backbone of the platform by allowing DJs to upload and stream their mix content compliantly. MixSCAN is Dubset Media's music identification and rights resolution technology. All mix content is run through MixSCAN, which consists of a three-step process of audio fingerprinting, textual fingerprinting and final oversight by Dubset production engineers. Once the mix content has completed the process, a unique MixDNA is then assigned to the mix which consists of metadata surrounding the sampled tracks.[13][14][15]
Features
editThe Future FM offers DJs unlimited mix uploads to their custom channels. Select DJs and mixes are published on the homepage to be prominently featured to listeners. Mixes can also be distributed virtually anywhere via either an embeddable widget and/or Facebook player. Video pre-roll advertisements are served in front of mix content in order to ensure that the underlying rights holders are paid (on behalf of the DJ) for their sampled work.[16]
The platform and technology serve as a medium to connect DJs with brands, such as Lindsay Luv and Victoria's Secret, Smirnoff's Master of the Mix show on VH1, etc.[17] Brands are able to create custom skinned channels to host and share original mixes directly associated with their brand.
DJs are able to review their royalty earnings by enrolling into The Future FM 'Royalty Program'.[18]
Listeners and fans of DJ mixed music can access mixes on the go with The Future FM iPhone app.[19]
References
edit- ^ "Afrojack leads hundreds of DJs Utilizing Dubset's New Facebook and Twitter Players to Share and Monetize their Mixes". businesswire.com/. 27 August 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
- ^ Alexander, Julia (5 March 2019). "Warner Music joins Sony as latest major label to legalize DJ mixes with Dubset". The Verge. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
- ^ "Merlin Strikes Deal with Dubset to 'Unlock' New Revenues for Indies". Billboard.
- ^ "Tidal partners with rights clearance startup Dubset to stream DJ sets and remixes". 5 January 2018.
- ^ "Dubset makes Sony the first major label legalized for remixing". 22 August 2017.
- ^ "An acquisition you should care about: Pex buys music rights platform Dubset in $25m+ deal". 6 March 2020.
- ^ Griffith, Erin. "Thefuture.fm Has Solved a Problem That Turntable, YouTube, and Spotify Couldn't". Pando Daily. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
- ^ Smith, Clyde (May 2012). "Dubset Relaunches As Thefuture.fm, Offers DJs Legal Platform For Uploading Mixes". hypebot. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
- ^ Bea, Francis (21 January 2013). "DMCA takedowns plague DJs no more thanks toTheFuture.FM's MixSCAN". Digital Trends. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
- ^ Stassen, Murray. "David Guetta: 'I just have to stay true to how I feel'". Music Week. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
- ^ Caruso, Chris. "Tiesto Celebrates 400th Episode of Club Life Radio Show with TheFuture.FM". DJ Times. Archived from the original on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
- ^ Ulloa, Nina (27 August 2014). "Thefuture.fm Helps DJs Monetize Their Mixes…". Digital Music News. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
- ^ Yasmin, Layla. "Dubset & The Noise House unveil new Mixscan™-powered Facebook & Twitter Players via Thefuture.fm". How It Works. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
- ^ "Music Identification Rights Resolution Technology". Dubset. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
- ^ Griffith, Erin. "Thefuture.fm Has Solved a Problem That Turntable, YouTube, and Spotify Couldn't". Pando Daily. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
- ^ Ulloa, Nina (27 August 2014). "Thefuture.fm Helps DJs Monetize Their Mixes…". Digital Music News. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
- ^ Heine, Christopher. "Victoria's Secret Digital Effort Includes DJ Mixes". Clickz. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
- ^ "The Future FM: Royalty Program". The Future FM. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
- ^ "iTunes Preview: Thefuture.fm Radio". iTunes App Store. Retrieved 1 December 2014.