Rainwave: video game music radio stations, programmed by voting

February 9, 2014 3:37 PM

Rainwave is not an online video game music radio station that plays songs at at random. Rather, the site lets the users program the playlists, based on voting for individual tracks. As an anonymous user, you can still listen to the default station with all styles mixed together, or focus on game, chiptune, cover or ocremix songs.
posted by filthy light thief (7 comments total)

If any of the interface confuses you, just click on the "help" button for more information on the interface.

The interview (the 2nd link in the post) is from 2008, when the site looked and worked a bit differently, but it's still a fun site.
posted by filthy light thief at 3:38 PM on February 9, 2014

Thanks! This has been my jam for the last few hours.
posted by selfnoise at 6:34 PM on February 9, 2014

I love new ways for people to interact with music and with each other through music (turntable.fm RIP). I really wish this site's concept existed for wider interest than just video game music!
posted by threeants at 7:27 PM on February 9, 2014

NICE! First random game tune that played was from a sleeper JRPG hit, Wild Arms. Thanks for this
posted by mafted jacksie at 11:17 PM on February 9, 2014

I love new ways for people to interact with music and with each other through music (turntable.fm RIP). I really wish this site's concept existed for wider interest than just video game music!

I'm actually a bit surprised they haven't offered it up to other sites. There are a ton of internet-only radio stations where there this could work. Heck, it would be fun to run on a little low-power college station, and it could get people involved in stations that only reach the radio stations' parking lots.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:36 AM on February 10, 2014

The Rainwave creator/founder/admin wanted to respond to the above questions/concerns. I've been listening there since this post, and decided it was a good excuse to finally get an account here. I convey following responses on his behalf:
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Re: "If the interface confuses you..."

We have a brand new interface coming within the next 1 or 2 months that will clear up just about all confusion! The help button won't be necessary anymore. :)

Re: "I really wish this site's concept existed for wider interests..."

Being able to vote on music is expressly against FCC laws (ancient laws created to stop people from recording whole albums off terrestrial radio), and while I haven't checked, I'm sure would violate SOCAN (the Canadian radio licensing group) rules, which would outlaw expanding to other genres, especially anything requiring licensing. That and my passion is video game music. :) And while Rainwave is not anywhere near 100% licensed, we do have a mix of tacit, unofficial, and official permission for a large chunk of our playlist. (OCR and Covers, especially)

Re: "I'm surprised they haven't offered it to other sites..."

It's there for anyone to use!
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posted by Acaecia at 6:50 AM on February 16, 2014 [1 favorite]

Acaecia, thanks for sharing these comments!
posted by filthy light thief at 1:00 PM on February 16, 2014