UPDATE: Returning 01.10.10
8bit FM is an awesome source for all things video game music, but for right now it looks like it might have run its course. Royalties vs. revenues are a little slanted and although many of the great artists who were featured on 8bit are not asking for us to pay up, there is enough of a percentage of our artists that need to be paid through ascap / bmi and others that to continue with the current format might not be the best thing for this labor of love. However, we are still considering bringing it back as a true 100% chiptune channel for emerging artists.
This is not a condemnation of the publishing reps! We’re all artists and artists need to be paid for their work! So don’t go complaining to them. If enough listeners want the old format to stick we’d love to work with some people who wouldn’t mind running relay streams. This would take some of the sting off of our bandwidth costs and in-turn it would ease some of the overall expenses. Additionally, there were some major security issues with Joomla that had us down quite often. In trying to plug those leaks we saw that it was taking us a huge amount of time to manage the stream… which we just didn’t have while in pre-production for “The Arcadian”.
We’re not looking to make ANY money with 8bit, but we also don’t want to lose any. If you think you can help us out by volunteering to help manage the stream, or with bandwidth mirroring let me know. If it works out we can probably keep it going, but we don’t want anyone working too hard at it. If it fizzles out there are plenty of other awesome places to get your 8bit fix like 8bitpeoples and 8bitcollective!
Bio
11 Comments
i am professional visual artist, is there a chance you’d like to show some of my images? i think it would be neat and fit on your site
absolutely admire your site structure! send me a mail please in case you want to see my pics
hi!! great news
!!! i cant wait!!
thanks for your excellent work
Man id hate to see you guys go away I used to listen to you guys all day after I got home from school. I wish I could pitch in somehow but sadly i am lacking in money right now. You guys are awesome keep doing what you do best!
I’m 12 years old and I was inspired by 8bitfm, you guys helped me grow out of the music all the other kids liked. I hope you guys get back up.
You may use BW of other electronic music site.
I’m a fan of 8bitfm but also di.fm you may find some way to be stream with them?
Computer sounds are also electronic music !
Peace
I agree, 8bitFM is TOO good to disappear.
I have a server and am willing to help, but maybe you could put together some information on exactly what a relay stream means, and how much bandwidth it takes?
Also, is there any thoughts of perhaps having a small charge to help keep 8bit running? I would gladly chip in a few bucks a month.
Lastly, just want to say that I loved 8bit for the mixture of old retro game tracks, newer, more refined game music, and newer, indie chiptune stuff.
thoughts?
We’ll be getting together a PDF file with information on bandwidth, etc. I think it will be coming back pretty soon. We’ve been redesigning the front end to be much simpler so that we get fewer hacker / worm attacks on the platform. Things are looking good! Thanks so much for the support. I’m not sure we’d be comfortable asking for donations or other fees though. Once you start asking for money things get more complicated.
bring back 8bitfm! I’d actually much rather hear a radio stream of up-and-coming creative-commons chiptune stuff.
We’re really leaning that way! There might be an announcement before the holidays, but to be honest we’re not sure of the timing.
i want you guys to still have 8bitfm i really miss it
also what is a relay stream?
A relay stream is a shoutcast server that listeners spill over to when the main stream is full. If you have a server or hosting plan that allows shoutcast you can help us by letting us set up a relay to you. That way more people can enjoy 8bit FM without the bandwidth going through the roof.