New Pioneer technology aims to distribute artist royalties for music played in electronic sets

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Pioneer and Canadian organization SOCAN, the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada, artists are getting one step closer to being paid appropriately in royalties for tracks of theirs played during electronic music sets.

Using Pioneer's KUVO technology, SOCAN is venues that host electronic talents free devices that are easily plugged into the mixing board that uses extracted metadata to identify and relay information about the tracks played to SOCAN. Thus, SOCAN will be able to more properly distribute royalties to the rightful owners of the track.

"DJs spin more music in one show than the vast majority of other live musical performances, but it's nearly impossible for them to submit accurate set lists of music for shows that they perform," explained Vice President of SOCAN's distribution department, Kit Wheeler.

Toronto's CODA nightclub will be the first to receive and implement the KUVO technology. "For years we've been dissatisfied with the system in place, knowing that not all licenses we pay are getting in to the hands of artists behind the music played in our venues and at our events," added CODA owner Joel Smye. "Now, through technology, the use of a simple device will ensure that the music licenses that we pay and have always paid will go to the right people."