News 2025 

Are you a Label/Promoter/Artist?

We would like to invite you as a potential artist/promoter on an exciting "Emerging Artists Review Show" being broadcast by Spectrum On Air/XPTV3. The focus of the show is to review emerging artist song tracks and provide critique not criticism aligned to the assessment criteria documented below. It will be a live show broadcast on both our radio, "Mixcloud-live" and XPTV3 channels and our panellists will take part through our Zoom platform, so you will be visible to the listener/viewer.

Your/The artist's tracks will be assessed and marked (see "Marking Scheme" below) and an artist of the week chosen to play on all of our channels the following week as well as other 'goodies' being prepared.

If you are interested in taking part please let us know ASAP so we can send you more information about how to deliver your track for assessment by our panel.

How it works:

MARKING SCHEME
Marks for each item area will be 2, 1 or 0.
where:- 
2 - could not be bettered, an exemplar of this 
1 - has potential with for example better production 
0 - will never work no matter what you do

MARKING ITEM AREA
a) Production: The overall sound quality, how well individual instruments are balanced, and the clarity of the recording.
b) Performance: This includes the quality of the vocal performance (diction, expression, versatility) and the execution and recording quality of the instruments.
c) Originality: Does the song bring something new to its genre or the broader music world, or does it sound like a generic copy?.
d) Message: The quality of lyrics is important, whether they are meaningful, use clever wordplay, tell a strong story, or convey complex themes poetically.
e) Emotional: How the music makes the listener feel and whether it achieves its intended mood (sad, happy, energetic, etc.).

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1. Focus on Specific Elements, Not the Artist's Worth
Avoid: "This song is bad," or "You're a terrible singer."
Instead: "The vocals in the chorus feel a little strained; perhaps experimenting with a different key could enhance the delivery," or "The structure here is a bit repetitive; exploring a bridge could add more dynamic range."
2. Use "I" Statements
Frame feedback from your personal perspective to make it feel less like an objective declaration of quality and more like a subjective reaction. This creates a less defensive atmosphere.
Avoid: "The beat is weak."
Instead: "I found the rhythm section a little repetitive; adding more variation in the hi-hat pattern might help keep listeners engaged." 
3. Identify and Acknowledge Strengths First
Always start by pointing out something you genuinely enjoyed about the track. This validates their effort and makes the constructive criticism easier to accept.
Example: "I really love the atmosphere you created with that opening synth pad, it's very immersive. In terms of improvement, I think the lead melody could be brought forward in the mix a little more to give it clarity."
4. Be Actionable and Provide Solutions
Don't just point out a problem; offer concrete, practical suggestions for how to fix it. This transforms a complaint into a piece of useful advice.
Avoid: "The mixing is off."
Instead: "The lead guitar seems to disappear in the mix during the solo; try boosting its level slightly and maybe adding a touch of compression to help it cut through the rest of the instruments." 
5. Prioritize the Feedback
You don't need to list every single flaw. Focus on the one or two most impactful areas for improvement. Overloading someone with criticism can be discouraging. 
Example: "The main areas I'd suggest looking at are the overall vocal clarity and adding a bit more punch to the snare drum. Addressing these will make a big difference." 
6. Maintain a Respectful and Encouraging Tone
Remember that the artist is sharing something personal. Use supportive language that encourages them to continue making music, regardless of the current track's quality.
Example: "This is a strong start, and you have a great ear for melody. Keep experimenting with your production techniques!"
By adhering to these principles, your feedback will be perceived as a helpful guide for growth rather than a critical judgment of talent.

Please email us here for more information info@spectrumonair.com and we will show you how you can take part.