MusicRadar
 | |
Type of site | Music website |
|---|---|
| Owner | Future plc |
| Created by | Future plc |
| Website |
www |
| Commercial | Yes |
| Registration | Optional |
| Launched | December 2007 |
MusicRadar is a website for musicians. It covers information pertaining to artists and music, special features, product news and reviews, music lessons and a social network service in the style of Facebook and Myspace. Launched in December 2007,[1] it has nearly 40,000 registered users as of March 2008.[2]
It is owned by Future plc, which incorporates monthly music making titles including Total Guitar, Guitarist, Rhythm and Computer Music.
Site Features
MusicRadar's core content comprises news, features, reviews and tuition.
News is largely centred on artist news and music news, although music equipment news is also featured. MusicRadar also sends reporters to trade shows such as NAMM and Musikmesse.
Features range from podcast interviews with stars such as Noel Gallagher, KT Tunstall and Chad Smith to blog-style posts and opinion polls.
Product reviews are editorially written, and accompanied by photos of the product and a summary box which includes a small 'verdict' paragraph and an out-of-five star rating. Reviews are often supplemented with video or audio clips of the product being reviewed. Users can also add their 'user reviews' and out-of-five rating.
Tuition features lessons for guitar, drums and music technology, and sometimes more diverse subjects such as lyric writing and music promotion. Several lessons feature video footage, guitar tablature and audio clips, and there are also several guest lessons from stars including John 5, Paul Gilbert, My Chemical Romance, Rodrigo y Gabriela and BK.
Social Network - registering with MusicRadar gives users a profile which they can use to showcase their music by uploading audio and pictures, and to communicate with friends in a similar way to Facebook. Registering also allows users to comment on reviews, news stories and tuition, and use the forum. The profile section is currently in BETA development.