Store Audio Options

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Barb Pelton

Barb Pelton

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Apr 14, 2002
Posts
2,823
Loc
The Show Me State
Hey guys. My Audio Acoustics contract is about to renew, and I'm considering options. Currently, I have "Muzak", which is about 60 channels. The company I lease with provides all equipment and maintainance for $51.00 a month. I have 6 speakers in the ceiling of the store and 2 outside of the entrances, which is nice. I like that I don't really have to do anything. I've had this for 5 years and am reevaluating if I should re contract with them or go a different route. Like every one else, I am looking to cut expenses where I can, but I don't even know what options are available (we have no electronics store in my town).


As far as ASCAP, I have read the law and would fall in the exemption of the law if I eliminate 2 of my speakers and only replace the 4 in the store.

What have others done for background music? I certainly don't want to have to switch out cds in the middle of the day, so I would like something that holds several, or perhaps something that would hold my ipod that I could run the 6 speakers to.

Suggestions?
 
I just use the radio but the Bose Music Wave system is awesome. You can plug an IPod into it for custom music. They start at around $400.
 
I went through a similar change in 2006, when I started this thread:
http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?t=2876&highlight=Pandora&page=6
I'm still using Pandora and intend to continue. I pay the annual fee, which is a pittance, and have not experienced any problems.

Pandora requires some monitoring early on, to pinpoint preferences and weed out unwanted selections by the music genome specialists who suggest the songs. But once you identify a few hundred songs you like and don't like, the music tends to be various and all agreeable.
 
I am a big fan of satellite radio. The problem with the iPod is that it is limited to your own music collection, which you will have to upload yourself. You'll get tired of it really quickly.
 
If I am reading this right, a store less than 2000 sq ft is exempt OR a store with less than 3750 sq ft and certain conditions would also be exempt. ("other" pertains to small retailers):

A food service or drinking establishment is eligible for the exemption if it (1) has less than 3750 gross square feet of space (in measuring the space, the amount of space used for customer parking only is always excludable); or (2) has 3750 gross square feet of space or more and (a) uses no more than 6 loudspeakers of which not more than 4 loudspeakers are located in any 1 room or adjoining outdoor space; and (b) if television sets are used, there are no more than 4 televisions, of which not more than 1 is located in any 1 room and none has a diagonal screen size greater than 55 inches.

An other establishment is eligible for the exemption if it (1) has less than 2000 gross square feet of space; or (2) has 2000 or more gross square feet of space and satisfies the same loudspeaker and television set requirements as for food service or drinking establishments.

(from ASCAP.com, FAQ)
 
Just think I have been in business 34years 1 month or 409 months if I would have paid $35.00 month average over that time $14,315.00 almost the cost of my ScionXb.........

I would cut out one outside speacker & one inside.. problem solved..
 
Find a nice radio station you like and use streaming audio.

I have WRTI from Philadelphia in my computer and when I want a change from local radio, I click on WRTI for streaming jazz.
Usually, I have the local community radio station or the classical station that I advertise on in my store.
 
Radio. 99.9% of custom frame shops that I have seen have tons and tons of things to improve before ever getting around to custom, paid music. Mine included.

What I wanted to do was put a bunch of songs with framing mentioned in them on an mp3 player and play those over a sound system. Songs like Michael McDonald "Ain't Nuthin Like the Real Thing." But since I'm constantly spied on and REPORTED FOR EVERY LITTLE ####ING THING I haven't done so because I didn't want to figure out the artist reimbursement thing.
 
Stereo system with 5 speakers: $199
Ipod: $69
150 songs purchased from itunes: $150
150 songs uploaded from cds I own: $free
monthly cost: $0.00

I cant imaging paying $50 a month for 5 years, thats over $3500! I believe in store music is a nice touch, but you cant actually say that it makes you money, so I just could not justify spending thousands on somthing that gives you no return.
 
5 yrs ago I had over 4000 sq ft and wanted to be legal. I'm just a stickler for legalities I guess. I know, the risks are small, but mercy the fines are HUGE. Today, I am at 3200 sq ft, the end of my contract and have more options.

I just don't like radio stations, unless they are commercial free--too distracting for a discriminating consumer. JMHO.

I prefer jazz, classical music, etc: music that has been proven to appeal to my demographic.

I do like variety on specific occassions (ie we had a Mardi Gras party/fundraiser after Katrina and selected a New Orleans station for that day)

It is amazing how many more options are available in just 5 short years, and you guys have given me some great options.
 
I pay a nominal fee for pandora one using a few bose speakers that really do a good job of filling my 1700' front floor space. I have a 150 watt per channel onkyo amp that pumps out after hour tunes (I'm into early rap and funk. That's not really the feel I'm going for during the day :) ) And I also use the amp hooked up to my android using the my touch music app in the portrait section of the shop for the benefit of the people I'm shooting. The app plays only current top one hundred music.
 
HangingAroundHoover said:
I pay a nominal fee for pandora one using a few bose speakers that really do a good job of filling my 1700' front floor space. I have a 150 watt per channel onkyo amp that pumps out after hour tunes (I'm into early rap and funk. That's not really the feel I'm going for during the day :) ) And I also use the amp hooked up to my android using the my touch music app in the portrait section of the shop for the benefit of the people I'm shooting. The app plays only current top one hundred music.
Click to expand...

I use Pandora One also. It's a pretty good deal for a whopping 39$ a year and you get to make your own stations. It's just hooked up to a few speakers, music is louder in back than out front. I've never really worried about playing music that all customers like because there's no such thing. We usually just play what we like; its pretty tame stuff like Wilco, Dr. Dog, Flaming Lips, stuff like that. I'm sure we would be better off going with a bunch of lame ### vanilla music, but I've never had anyone complain and have had quite a few older people ask who this band was. In our defense, we're both young and we're in an artsy college town, so we're allowed our eccentricities.
 
I use NPR as much as possible. I was suprised at the number of customers who also listen to NPR - especially on Saturday when Car Talk and Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me are on.

If I'm bored of the classics, I turn on the local soft jazz station.

:popc:
 
I have an MP3 player hooked up to a stereo. The speakers are out front in the retail space. Just two little speakers are plenty loud enough for me. When I first set it up, I loaded the MP3 player with a variety of celtic music, Christmas stuff, and Elvis. During the week, I play the celtic stuff (everything from traditional to Gaelic Storm). On Saturdays I crank up the Elvis! The absolute last week before Christmas, I play the least iritating Christmas music I could find. I know all the songs on the player by heart now, and it makes them generally easier to ignore when I want to.

(I've considered playing something else, but I'm not sure what. No classical (too many years of playing violin in the school orchestra!) and no jazz (that's what the last guy played and I think I find it iritating now because I know he liked it).)
 
My understanding from my music business courses in college are that ASCAP and BMI (the two entities who handle distribution of royalties to musicians and writers) will go to a bar or other establishment and count songs in a certain period of time, counting which of the songs they heard, only the ones which are part of their organization (Ascap listens for their songs, BMI listens for their songs). Then they speak with the manager/owner and says something like "I counted 4 of our songs in a 20 minute period and amortized over a day that equals 72 songs in a day, and 26,000 songs in a year, and you may pay either per song or may pay a license fee for less". My music business teacher may have been lax in the example, but that's my understanding. I believe they target high-traffic, entertaining spaces such as restaurants, but not so much frame shops.

...so I'd recommend XM for $7 a month, and if one day ASCAP or BMI come in and tell you your options, you can handle it from that point on, and not pay $500 more a year than you need to right now. :)

PaulSF said:
I am a big fan of satellite radio. The problem with the iPod is that it is limited to your own music collection, which you will have to upload yourself. You'll get tired of it really quickly.
Click to expand...

....unless you have the XM app, which is what I listen to in the back of my shop! Only like $3 a month on top of a regular subscription. :D



(And I believe radio would run into the same potential ASCAP/BMI issues)
 
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