Pioneer’s song tracking, KUVO, is now taking its first steps towards widespread adoption after its soft launch at Amsterdam Dance Event in 2013. As a way to keep track of when songs are played and therefore when royalties can be collected. Still, the platform raises several unanswered questions that independent artists in particular should look into before adopting.
At its core, KUVO is a mobile app and web platform that pulls data from a networked black box (NXS-GW) connected to Pioneer mixers. Assuming that you’ve set up an account and passed your tracks through Pioneer’s Rekordbox software version 3.0 or higher, their black box will track what you play and upload that data to your profile for the world to view. Pioneer go on to say that with track performance data quantified, rightsholders will be able to collect royalty payments on their recordings from DJs playing their tracks in clubs.
Official KUVO description
KUVO is a social platform from Pioneer DJ that connects clubbers, DJs, and clubs around the world through the KUVO website and app. Get real-time information about which tracks and playlists DJs are playing in iconic clubs right now. Or find out the name of the track playing in the club you’re in. Use the ‘like’ button to help other clubbers discover the hottest tracks of the moment. Follow your favorite DJs and clubs, upload your pictures, and share with other clubbers who share your passion for music.
Yay! Another reason for people to get their phones out..
Not sure how other people feel, but I believe that if your tune is played well in a mix, then to begin with it is a compliment, and it is also free promo. Most DJs I know do not make much money as it is. Is the music industry trying to completely remove live music events for the sake of capitalism….please no
Long live the underground. Fuck this crap.
Interesting how the original branding featured the Pioneer logo prominently: http://i.imgur.com/ZNnaEOm.jpg
I think there’s a reason Kuvo is on the box now — Pioneer won’t be trashed when this thing inevitably flops.
Speaking of hardware… why the hell is this a hardware unit?
Look at this joke of a diagram:
http://i.imgur.com/wkozZ0Y.png
You need a “management computer” to get this thing working in a club. You’re telling me this black box couldn’t be integrated into a standalone PC app? There is NO REASON you shouldn’t be able to plug all of your decks into a single router and manage this system from a laptop.
Instead, redundant equipment that takes away part of the magic of a DJ set — the unknown, the impermanent — and replaces it with yet-another-fucking-social-network so you can know every tune while Pioneer helps corporations collect royalties for live performances.
I’m just looking forward to the “Club 100” chart so I can know which shitty Ameri-pop single is #1.
Really though, I wonder what the effect will be for DJs that now get to look forward to every set list fully detailed on their Kuvo page. Will DJs race to expose new names, showing off the depth of their reach, or will they all start playing the same songs to fit in with their rank and file?
What the fuck do you think?
KILL ME NOW
^^^^JOE^^^^^
burn this with fire….so wack
Hahahaha, Analogue for life baby! Fuck this shite!