What is Midomi?

Midomi, now part of the SoundHound ecosystem, is a pioneering music search and discovery service. Its core innovation is allowing users to find songs by singing, humming, or whistling a tune into their device's microphone. This solves the common problem of trying to identify a song when you only remember the melody. Beyond this unique audio search, it serves as a comprehensive music portal, connecting users to streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, providing synchronized lyrics, and offering detailed information about artists and tracks. It leverages advanced audio fingerprinting and speech recognition technology to deliver accurate results from a vast music database.

Main Features

1. Audio-Based Song Search: Identify music by humming, singing, or recording a snippet.

2. Integrated Music Streaming: Stream full songs directly through the platform with links to major services.

3. Real-Time Lyrics Display: View synchronized lyrics that scroll in time with the music playback.

4. Voice Control: Use hands-free voice commands to search and control playback.

5. Music Discovery: Explore new music, charts, and artist profiles based on your searches.

6. Community Features: Historically allowed users to record and share their own song clips, contributing to the database.

Use Cases

1. Identifying unknown songs heard in public, on TV, or stuck in your head.

2. Finding song titles and artist names when you only remember the melody.

3. Accessing instant music playback and lyrics for karaoke or learning songs.

4. Discovering new music and artists related to your musical tastes.

5. Using voice commands for convenient, hands-free music control while driving or working.

Supported Languages

1. The primary interface and core functionality support English.

2. The technology is designed to recognize melodies and vocal patterns across languages, making it useful for international music.

Pricing Plans

1. The Midomi/SoundHound service offers a free, ad-supported tier for basic song identification and features.

2. SoundHound App may offer a subscription plan (SoundHound Infinite) for an ad-free experience with unlimited song searches, but specific pricing is not detailed on the Midomi page.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q: How do I search for a song on Midomi?

A: You can search by singing, humming, whistling, or typing the song title or artist name.

2. Q: Is Midomi free to use?

A: Yes, the basic song identification and music discovery features are free.

3. Q: Can I play full songs on Midomi?

A: Yes, you can stream full songs, often linked through integrated services like Spotify.

4. Q: What is the difference between Midomi and SoundHound?

A: Midomi is the original web-based service, now integrated under the SoundHound brand and technology platform.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

- Offers a unique and convenient way to find songs by humming.

- Provides fast and accurate song identification results.

- Integrates lyrics and streaming for a complete music experience.

- The core search feature is free to use.

Cons:

- The website primarily redirects or integrates with the SoundHound app ecosystem.

- Some advanced features may require the mobile app or a subscription.

- The interface and focus have evolved since its original standalone launch.

Recommendation Rating

8/10 (An excellent and innovative tool for solving the 'name that tune' problem, though now part of a larger service.)