Tidal’s New DJ Session Feature: Perform a Virtual Set for Your Friends

Tidal is a Norwegian-American musical subscription-based streaming service – it was founded in 2014 and endorsed by the likes of Jay-Z. It has since provided streaming giants Spotify and Apple Music with some competition in the industry.

Their recent announcement looks to separate themselves from competitors with a venture into music production and sharing; the Tidal Session feature will allow users to stream DJ sets to their friends via the application. This article takes a look at what this advancement may mean to the music industry for upcoming artists.

Source: Pexels

Become a Virtual DJ

Becoming a DJ has never been more supported in the music industry; there is countless software that aspiring musicians can download and use to hone their production skills. There is also a wide selection of DJ software to download for free as well as publicly available recording studios around the globe which upcoming artists can choose from to practice with, meaning that anyone with a half-decent computer or access to public venues can begin their DJing journey with minimal costs. With Tidal’s recent announcement, upcoming music producers can share the fruits of their labor with their friends online.

How does it work?

The brand-new feature is available only to members who have paid for the $20 Hifi Plus subscription of Tidal, meaning that both you and your friends will have to have this subscription to both produce and listen via this feature. Producers can share their created songs and playlists with other Tidal members over the internet, allowing them to construct a virtual DJ set for others to witness. The feature is a great opportunity for aspiring DJs to test out their skills with friends and family before hitting the big stage. A producer can start a session and then share it with others via a clickable link which will unite all users in a single session.

When?

Currently, the feature is in an early Beta testing stage before being rolled out as accessible to all users. After the testing stage is complete, Tidal is looking to make the feature available to all Hifi Plus members around the globe.

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What might it mean for the future of music?

The shift of music consumption from physical records and CDs to digital streaming was a huge innovation in the industry. This shift from a focus on individual streaming to shared music production could spark a movement in music; with increased accessibility and opportunities to create and share music, the number of aspiring musicians who can actually chase their dream is sure to increase. This kind of opportunity would have been unimaginable 20 years ago, so the long-term effects of movements like this cannot be overestimated.

Tidal has struggled to truly compete with music giants like Spotify in streaming statistics alone, so perhaps a shift towards musical production and sharing will allow them to thrive in a pathway that they are carving out for themselves. Not only this, but the countless young people who can take advantage of this opportunity will benefit greatly from the chance – it might even produce the next superstar. Only time will tell.