keef

Software engineer, pretend musician. Proud member of the anti-growth coalition. Probably/possibly neurodivergent. He/him.

Public Key

npub1p9cgvszr9ph2hukvwdp5drndd9g0x5suzd68jfytt8t4kqdsqqpqn3gqwl

NIP-05 Address

keefmarshall_at_mastodon.online@mostr.pub

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsqjuyxgppjsm4t7tx8xs6x3ekkj58n2gwpxareyj94n46mqxcqqqsr200vs

Author Public Key

npub1p9cgvszr9ph2hukvwdp5drndd9g0x5suzd68jfytt8t4kqdsqqpqn3gqwl

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Last Notes

2024-09-20 12:34:22

I've just bought a new cat flap. Which isn't very noteworthy, except that:
A. it's internet connected (more on this later when I get it working) and
B. half the writing on the box is in German, so I now know that "cat flap" in German is "Katzenklappe" which is a delightful word!

2024-09-06 07:16:51

Yes, it's #BandcampFriday but here's a different thing:
Why is no-one talking about the fact the Bandcamp music app (not the artists one) has been removed from the Google Play store?
As far as I can tell, by digging, there's some kind of dispute between Google and Bandcamp, possibly related to in-app payments?
But I can't find any significant coverage of this in the tech press, or on Fedi.
This story goes back a little while, to Epic making a stand when they owned it, in 2022.

2024-08-17 13:34:57

I might have just about finished a track for the #BonkWave volume 003 compilation.. all bar final tweaks. Don't think I've ever been this early for a deadline in my life!
Definitely for the "bonked" side.. it's a bit noisy. Is #Bonkdustrial a thing? 🤔
Reminder: the deadline is 25th September, so there's still plenty of time!
https://bonkwave.org/board/index.php?topic=63.0
#NWICBW3 #NotBonkWave

2024-07-16 16:18:34

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@npub1437…ranm Congratulations!

2024-06-30 09:43:38

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@npub1hpp…cswm can you find them all though? 🐑

2024-06-21 19:21:32

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@npub1hpp…cswm
#Faircamp ?
Needs to be self-hosted, mind.

2024-06-20 06:13:01

Would you like to hear some fresh music that may, or may not, be #BonkWave?
We have some BRAND NEW remixes coming your way.. join the listening party on #RadioFreeFedi this Friday, 21st June at 20:00 UTC - that's 9pm UK time - for the launch of the extended version of "Not Bonk What I Call Wave: Remixes".
Chat with your favourite Bonk Knob Records artists! Or chat with whoever shows up!!
https://party.radiofreefedi.net/
Be there or be... #NotBonkWave!!
Questions? See https://bonkwave.org/

2024-06-16 08:50:36

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@npub1437…ranm Good morning! May the pilchard of prosperity make waves in your direction.

2024-06-08 20:29:45

Not a bad view from a supermarket car park.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/112/582/883/884/125/758/original/1242ad8226dbdd0f.jpg

2024-06-04 13:32:04

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@npub1shc…fs4x
Generally the former.. "Oh darn it, that melody is in 15/4, how the hell am I going to make the beats work for that..."

2024-06-04 10:14:30

So yet again I'm seeing a certain person's face in all my news feeds, for two days running, when his 'party'/vanity project is predicted to win (checks notes) *zero* seats.
As opposed to another small party who already have a democratically elected MP and are in with an outside chance of winning up to four seats at the election.
How is this fair and impartial?

2024-05-30 22:28:55

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@npub1gzd…wfsq The Synthesizer Expander Module is buried in there as well.

2024-05-30 22:22:25

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@npub1gzd…wfsq
I'm going to grab it for Dreamsynth and Mercury-4, even though I already have Quadra :)

2024-05-30 22:08:31

Humble Bundle seems to have a bundle with some Cherry Audio virtual synths at the moment, including Quadra which you'll hear on a few Key 13 tracks, notably Primavera and Lateral Flow.
Also includes Mercury-4 which is a Roland Jupiter-4 emulation, and Dreamsynth.
The deal includes a whole bunch of sample packs too.
Not affiliated in any way but I use a lot of Cherry Audio stuff and this is a cheap price...!
https://www.humblebundle.com/software/music-creators-studio-essentials-software
#musicProduction

2024-05-30 08:17:12

I set this weeks theme on the /r/songaweek subreddit - write a song (or instrumental) following the theme - or not - starting today and submitted before bedtime next Wednesday!
Your theme this week is: "Little Wins" - those tiny victories that make everyday life a little better.
https://www.reddit.com/r/songaweek/comments/1d3ywrd/submissions_week_22_theme_little_wins/
#musoDon #musicProduction #songaweek

2024-05-28 14:00:33

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@npub1hpp…cswm Link works - thank you! Listening now.

2024-05-28 10:28:20

I'm so sorry.. I can't resist. Still can't believe this.
You only have yourselves to blame.
#Fedivision #Fedivision2024 #radioFreeFedi
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/112/518/233/187/865/284/original/e87205d63e4266d4.png

2024-05-28 06:43:13

Wow, first two sales on #Mirlo!! And large sums too!! Thanks folks! Very much appreciated!!
For anyone else considering a purchase: you can put 0 in the box - I'm going to donate the proceeds to Mirlo and Radio Free Fedi so it will save on processing fees if you donate directly to them instead of paying me.
Mirlo's Kickstarter is so close to the line but they won't get any of the money unless it gets *over* that line in the next five days:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mirlo/mirlo

2024-05-27 15:23:01

"Yes dear that's very nice that you won your thing but we need to sort out this quote for a new shed..."
Back down to earth.. 🤣
#fedivision #fedivision2024

2024-05-26 11:12:41

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@npub19y8…wxgj I'm far too late but, for no apparent reason:
Sheep
Aardvark
😁

2024-05-26 09:57:58

The #mirlo release of Misaligned Aardvarks will have an exclusive third track - although it's only a very light-touch remaster of something available elsewhere, but not currently on Mirlo.
Just fixes a few clipping issues on the previous version :)
I'm calling it an "Anniversary Remaster" - you might be able to guess what that's going to be...
(baa baa, baa baa baa....)

2024-05-25 17:07:30

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@npub1437…ranm
#BonkWave t-shirt spotted!

2024-05-25 07:52:27

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@npub1437…ranm confusingly there's another with the code LUCA which is also the name of one of my tracks! I keep seeing it and thinking it's about that!

2024-05-24 22:23:57

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@npub1c57…awu5 there shouldn't be any that broke the rules! Let the organisers know if you found any!

2024-05-24 22:08:14

#FediVision fans! It's probably worth noting that the songs won't stay up on the site for long after the contest is over.
So make a note now of any artists you particularly like, so you can find their stuff later!
The links you need are all up on https://fedivision.party

2024-05-22 07:00:07

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@npub1c57…awu5 well, if you do find some spoons, I'd like to hear your opinions!
Having no skin in the game potentially makes you more objective too.

2024-05-20 09:09:12

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@npub1437…ranm let me know if you need a hand..

2024-05-19 13:28:31

Reminder that we've got live-chat going on RFF at the moment, simulcast with the popup channel.
It's playing the #FediVision2024 entries in alphabetical order by code - we're up to #LAPU at the moment. And that means that #NOTH should be up in the not-too-distant future!
You can play the popup channel, or click through to the chat from here:
https://radiofreefedi.net/
#FediVision

2024-05-19 08:57:45

Belated warning to anyone who has no interest in #FediVision - you should probably mute me for the next 7-8 days or so.
You have probably already figured that out though.
(But hey, why *wouldn't* anyone be excited about #FediVision2024 !!)

2024-05-18 10:05:13

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@npub1437…ranm I thought he implied you could stop once you'd had enough?

2024-05-18 09:22:59

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@npub1hpp…cswm might have been me? I've been using Pachli for a little while now

2024-05-18 06:07:53

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The new voting bot's account is @npub1883…5gr2 - you can follow it now!

2024-05-18 05:48:12

Quick note to anyone who is looking to vote in #FediVision this year.. it's a similar but slightly different process to last year. Change summary:
1. You can vote for up to three entries (whoo!)
2. The fedi account of the voting bot has changed
Voting isn't open yet! It runs from Sunday 19 May 2024 13:00 UTC until Sunday 26 May 2024, 19:00 UTC.
See https://fedivision.party/vote/ for all the details!
#FediVision2024

2024-05-17 20:16:34

I am pleased to announce that Key 13 will be representing The Island Of Nothing in the upcoming #FediVision competition!
There will be ANIMALS *
And MOOGS †
And also, for no particularly good reason, some MANDOLINS! ‡
Vote #NOTH from this Sunday!
----------
* no animals were harmed during the making of this track
† pronounced "Mogue"
‡ not the type you use to slice things with, though, the other kind...
#FediVision2024 #key13

2024-05-09 08:45:27

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I've also just noticed that, after mastering, it's come out at 3:25 which I think is exactly the same length as last year's entry!
Total coincidence.

2024-05-09 08:23:41

Actually, listening back to the final mix of my #FediVision entry from last night I am feeling a bit better about it - those two hours were definitely well spent, it's much more balanced now.
The song itself isn't as good as last year's one, but I'm happy enough that it's not going to be a total disgrace :)
Hopefully it will at least make a few people smile.
#FediVision2024

2024-05-08 08:08:03

Quick heads up for #Faircamp folks who work with WAV files and Yate - might be a limited audience!
There's some issue with ffmpeg (as used by Faircamp) picking up the track number and album artist from WAV file tags that were created by Yate. It works fine with AIFF or FLAC.
I am not sure if this is a general issue with WAVs, or something specific to Yate, or something specific to ffmpeg. But the net result is that your Faircamp downloads won't be tagged correctly.
It's not Faircamp's fault.

2024-05-06 16:15:36

OK, OK.. I have too many plugins, all right Logic, I get it... just load already! I have a #FediVision deadline!
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/112/395/028/135/830/685/original/fb0bc8e8a7d23d35.png

2024-05-04 10:06:45

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@npub1437…ranm I was on my way to the harbour yesterday evening when I took this.. somewhere near the Continental (old Harbour Lights as was..)

2024-05-04 10:04:37

When the sky decided to emulate my latest album cover in front of me, it wasn't a bad end to the day yesterday!
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/112/382/238/937/804/940/original/f934939a36e6907d.jpg

2024-05-04 07:17:46

Wow. *Four* people bought my entire discography in the last couple of days. Not to mention all the amazing folks who bought or downloaded Sea · Sky · Clouds..
The #radioFreeFedi infrastructure fund will get a pretty decent boost in a day or two when the payments come through!
There's still four download codes left for the EP if anyone missed out:
https://mastodon.online/@keefmarshall/112376016320199302
For someone who really just pushes notes around on my computer, this is.. almost unbelievable. Thank you all!

2024-04-05 12:59:24

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@npub1437…ranm all I did was list out the dates for bandcamp Fridays for the rest of the year and point out it's no longer every month. Who knew that would go viral 🤣

2024-04-05 07:59:14

OK, this is crazy :) - I may be coming close to actually having to mute a post's notifications, for the first time in known history..
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/112/217/547/603/877/385/original/60c8f1ad15705c7f.png

2024-04-04 08:40:08

Bandcamp Fridays announced for the rest of the year - and it's not as many as before, so worth noting these down:
"The next Bandcamp Friday is April 5, 2024, followed by our 40th Bandcamp Friday on May 3. After that, Bandcamp Fridays will continue on September 6, October 4, and December 6."
Next one is tomorrow!
[These are the days when more of your money goes direct to the artists - Bandcamp waive their fees]
#BandcampFriday

2024-03-29 07:00:29

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@npub19y8…wxgj sure, of course!

2024-03-09 23:46:49

Quick! It's almost too late for a #Caturday post! Wouldn't want to miss out...
#CatsOfMastodon #CloseToMidnight
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/112/068/383/117/804/625/original/0f6890ada2ab7eed.jpg

2024-02-16 09:13:21

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@npub1437…ranm there's an STE in my loft somewhere.. it worked the last time I switched it on...

2024-02-15 09:07:23

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@npub1437…ranm I'm absolutely for more taxes but they should be used for a universal basic income.
Also, while it sometimes feels like both parties are the same, I think we have conservatives (in red) vs Nazis (in blue).. I don't like either option but one is better than the other.
We need electoral reform, badly, but it's hard to see a route that gets us there. Hung parliament with SNP/libs in a conditional coalition with Labour maybe?

2024-02-15 08:59:59

For balance I would like to also mention https://not.bonkwave.org ...
#BonkWave #NotBonkWave

2024-02-15 08:40:22

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@npub1437…ranm @npub1v7t…0asy
There is a temporary workaround for the captcha in case anyone else is struggling:
Click the "crescent moon" icon in the top right of the screen to change to light mode.. this makes the captchas much easier to read. Click the "sun" icon to go back to dark PurpleBonk mode.

2024-02-10 11:08:46

Dug out my old Casiotone VL-1 (VL-TONE) this morning. I bought this new, so it's.. quite old - must be well over 40 years old?
Amazingly it still works. I had forgotten it actually has an ADSR mode where you can "design*" the sound!!
*For a certain definition of "design"
[Edit to add some hashtags]
#casio #VLTone #vl1 #VintageSynth #CasioTone
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/111/906/839/363/276/024/original/bf5a4e65f3be10f7.jpg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/111/906/850/789/395/103/original/b1f045861b0328c3.jpg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/111/906/858/647/575/266/original/ac8d4e78aed58c90.jpg

2024-02-04 11:27:40

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@npub1437…ranm I would answer, but then I'd be a reply guy too?

2024-01-30 09:14:57

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@npub1437…ranm only if we can save Chiappinis. Or at least their ice cream.

2024-01-26 09:25:07

Fediverse music artists!
Are you thinking of submitting your work to #radioFreeFedi but something is holding you back? What is that thing, and can I help with it?
If you're not thinking of submitting your work, is there a particular reason why? Is there anything that might change your mind?
If you've already submitted some tracks, did you remember to give them your latest release? 🤔
#musicProduction #musoDon #fediMusic

2024-01-25 15:19:34

So @npub10zq…e2ec 's article on #Faircamp has made it to the top of HackerNews it seems: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39129155

2024-01-24 08:27:54

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@npub1437…ranm give it to a billionaire, sit back and wait for all their efforts to trickle back down to you?

2024-01-18 19:15:15

Wow someone found my ko-fi link :) thank you very much to "mysterious fedi user" for buying Solarpunk Grazers! What a nice surprise. First sale from my #Faircamp site.

2024-01-12 15:32:41

Ah, so sad. Annie Nightingale was my introduction to so much music through her Sunday night shows on Radio 1 through the early and mid-80s. What a pioneer.
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/jan/12/annie-nightingale-radio-1-dj-dies-aged-83

2024-01-11 18:32:32

For all the artists interested in self-hosting their music through tools like #Faircamp, and how discovery might work in such a world, we have a Matrix chat channel here: https://matrix.to/#/#beyond-faircamp:tchncs.de
I've just posted a new update listing all the latest things that have happened in the last two weeks alone - far too long to post here on Mastodon!
Find out about:
- a new simpler way to install Faircamp on Windows
- a way to use Faircamp without installing it at all!
- webring update news
- and more!

2024-01-04 18:17:51

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@npub1437…ranm shoe-in for the Turner prize, simply magnificent.

2023-12-25 14:01:38

Yes, I know you want to be let in. But I let you in five minutes ago and you just went straight back out the cat flap. Which, by the way, you can come back in through any time you like. #catsOfMastodon
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/111/641/409/961/481/441/original/140d560041dfedae.jpg

2023-12-22 09:37:32

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@npub19y8…wxgj @npub1sny…ax7g I don't think I'll be able to listen live today but I look forward to catching the archive!

2023-12-19 13:26:31

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@npub1437…ranm I genuinely thought you were joking about the bass, I see you were not!
Nice t-shirt, I keep meaning to order the Genre Policeman one :)

2023-11-26 12:14:26

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@npub1e7p…nvup you mean that documentary I watched called "Mars Attacks" lied to me?!!

2023-11-26 12:10:25

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@npub1e7p…nvup but at least the country music is keeping the Martians at bay, right?

2023-11-18 09:56:19

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@npub1437…ranm Millie has a habit of wanting to try another door.. maybe it's not raining at the front of the house?

2023-11-16 14:31:50

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@npub1437…ranm
> "but it’s not ranking on Google and other major search engine."
"- yeah, that's by design. I don't want people finding it. How did you find it, by the way? I need to close that off, clearly!"

2023-11-08 11:19:42

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@npub1437…ranm @npub1urg…tznf didn't they release it as a live album? My encyclopedic knowledge of Genesis albums has been lost over the years..!

2023-11-08 10:59:50

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@npub1437…ranm @npub1urg…tznf I saw them at Wembley Stadium in (I think) 1987 .. was a bit electronic-y, shiny and over-polished by then sadly, but they still played some good stuff (e.g. ... In That Quiet Earth).
Phil could still play drums and sing back then :)

2023-11-07 09:16:28

Sometimes I think my website exists just to keep Mastodon servers happy. I guess they must get lonely - perhaps they're reaching out for company.
[technical note: this is what happens when you have a 'verified' link in your profile, and someone boosts or faves one of your posts. It seems each server doesn't visit more than once per day which is a small mercy. But it's still a LOT of requests. NB this link is *not* in the post that was faved or boosted. @npub1cx7…8tc2 #mastoddos ]
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/111/368/493/490/912/765/original/60200e817f25dd68.png

2023-11-06 20:39:35

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@npub1437…ranm I hear that Cherry Audio are working on a Korg ARP-23 emulation as we speak.. it's going to be awesome!
Great for covering such tracks as Squonk on a Volcano, A Trick of the Epping Forest, and my personal favourite, Supper's Evil 9.

2023-11-02 10:47:59

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@npub1hpp…cswm @npub1437…ranm remember you also need to protect the router otherwise no internet :) I ended up with 2 UPSs because the router is in a different room to my main kit :(

2023-11-01 10:55:41

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@npub1437…ranm I know this is probably against all odds, but you might be taking it all too hard?

2023-10-27 10:27:55

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@npub1c57…awu5 I'm the last person to give any advice on mixing so I'll have to duck out at this point!

2023-10-27 10:22:45

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@npub1c57…awu5 @npub1437…ranm May or may not help but Izotope's Ozone is shockingly good at matching stereo width from a reference track.

2023-10-26 10:46:16

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@npub1437…ranm needs moar stickers!

2023-10-25 23:42:17

I got my Faircamp instance up and running - need to add a bit more content, and probably tweak a few settings, but for now here's an archive of some selected old stuff that you almost certainly won't have heard before - all entirely free to download!
https://music.key13.uk/archive/
#faircamp

2023-10-23 11:11:39

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@npub1437…ranm TBF nearly everyone sings better than me, but even so.. AI Homer feels like it's just rubbing salt in the wounds!

2023-10-23 10:43:29

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@npub1437…ranm TFW AI Homer sings better than you

2023-10-23 08:44:18

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@npub1437…ranm Good luck finding an actual high street branch of NatWest to run into!

2023-10-21 22:00:07

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@npub1437…ranm @npub1hpp…cswm my part of the world, or not far from it!

2023-08-01 08:13:13

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@npub196k…6txe My profile image would like a word.

2023-07-28 12:05:12

Jersey Tiger moth - flying around my garden just now. What you can't see from this photo is the bright orange colours under the wings which are really striking in flight.
#Mothstadon #Mothstodon #Moth #nature #NaturePhotography
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/110/791/605/545/895/551/original/196bb4002f7a34b5.jpg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/110/791/605/545/801/999/original/185794e2c22ba108.jpg

2023-06-24 19:03:42

Um why is Rick Astley singing Smiths songs?

2023-06-21 17:30:17

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@npub1r47…wytr SoundCloud gives me analytics anyway and in fact a forwarding service will probably screw those up. But yeah moving or at least copying all my stuff into the fediverse might be a good option
Don't really want to host everything myself if I don't have to...

2023-06-21 17:22:38

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@npub1r47…wytr I have that to be fair, I could create a forwarding endpoint but then creating links would be slightly more of a hassle

2023-06-21 17:13:39

Regretting not having changed my SoundCloud URL to my artist name before spending 3 years sharing a bunch of links everywhere.. Apparently if I change it now, the existing links (to user-xxx) will all break :(
I guess it's mostly Reddit posts, so either I don't care 'cos it's Reddit and hey we all hate them now, or I can go spend a few hours editing them all. Gaah.
Or just live with a nondescript SoundCloud link.
Or move to #FunkWhale.
#MusoDon #MusicProduction

2023-06-16 12:52:57

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@npub1zdp…vqv8 Yes, like most Blockchain use cases it doesn't make sense. That won't stop someone proposing it though.

2023-06-16 12:37:31

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@npub1zdp…vqv8 sadly you just know someone is going to suggest a Blockchain implementation of this before it's even got off the ground...

2023-06-13 15:24:45

Anyone know how the "Trending Hashtags" section on Mastodon web "explore" works? I'm just idly surprised that #FediVision isn't trending, at least not on mastodon.online, since it has way more posts than some of the other hashtags I see on there.
[*and yes I know this isn't the other place, we're not supposed to have algorithms or care about such things - I'm just curious to know if it's instance-specific or otherwise how it works..]