MobBase: Drag and Drop iPhone App Maker for Bands

Written by Dana Oshiro / November 2, 2009 9:00 PM / 9 Comments

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When most of us hear the words, "For as little as 50 cents a day..." our brains conjure up solemn images of Sally Struthers. For as little as 50 cents a day MixMatchMusic is offering starving and made musicians a chance to reach their fans via a customizable iPhone app maker. Between now and tomorrow morning, MobBase will offer musicians with no programming skills the ability to build sleek-looking band apps. Features will include videos, images, bios, band news, streaming playlists, concert schedules and perhaps most importantly, links for music purchases.

Best known for its web-based remixing service, MixMatchMusic is expanding to help bands further engage their fans. The company is offering a drag-and-drop interface with a number of different app templates. Musicians customize application designs by switching out page backgrounds, buttons and even features.

Features

Although products are created using the template tool, no two applications look alike. Some of the available features include:

1. Music: Artists can offer samples of their collections and connect fans to album artwork, liner notes, lyrics and download links.

2. Videos: With MobBase, artists can pull in their YouTube video streams as well as encourage fans to tag their video content. From here bands can aggregate videos from a fan's point of view.

3. Photos: Band accounts on Flickr and Picasa can be instantly streamed to the photo feature. This way concert pics and backstage exclusives automatically upload as new events occur.

4. News / Info: Artists can create biography pages and pull in related RSS feeds from blogs and traditional media sources. They can also integrate multiple Twitter accounts and import fan tweets based on a band's designated hashtag.

5. Shows: The tool also allows bands to import concert event streams from MySpace and MixMatchMusic's ArtistData tool. From here concert listings are automatically updated including ticket purchase links and Google maps.

Approval and Pricing

While a number of DIY-app platforms may appear on the horizon, part of the MobBase service is that MixMatchMusic handles the App store approval process. In the event that you'd like to change your app, co-founders Charles Feinn and Alan Khalfin assure us that there is no need to resubmit your app for approval. You simply log-in to the MobBase dashboard and change your pages.

The company currently has 32 pilot apps pending approval including customized products for bands like Pepper and Everclear. MixMatchMusic also has partnerships with the Independent Online Distribution Alliance and a number of other indie labels. The company will look to forge deals with web 2.0-related service providers like Bandcamp and Topspin Media in the coming months.

As for fees, applications are $20 dollars to activate. Free apps are priced at $15 dollars a month for the first 500 installs with $5 dollars per additional 1000 downloads. Meanwhile, paid apps cost $20 dollars per month for the first 500 installs and $6 dollars per month for each additional 1000. MobBase does not take any application sales fees in regards to revenue share. As per the standard iTunes affiliate music program, the company receives 5% of purchased music downloads. To get started visit MobBase.com for details. For a sneak peek at the design process check out the below screenshots:

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Comments

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So basically the same as Mobile Roadie?

Posted by: Glen Barnes | November 2, 2009 10:29 PM

Thanks Glen. It definitely appears that there are some feature similarities. Mobile Roadie does have the $500 setup fee vs. MobBase's $20 setup.

Posted by: Dana Oshiro | November 2, 2009 10:47 PM

Hi Dana!

I just wanted to leave say that my client www.smcrecordings.com has taken advantage of the platform for three of thier top tier artists: KillerMike, the Jacka & town thizzness. They will all be launching apps with Mobbase. (Currently waiting to be approved from apple)

Alan & Charles are awesome to work with and this is a phenomenal platform for DIY artists looking to engage with thier fans via an iphone application.

You can follow them or drop em a line on twitter at @evolvingmusic

Posted by: Digipendent | November 2, 2009 11:36 PM

MobBase is much better that mobile roadie in many aspects..I somehow personally do not like mobile roadie

Posted by: Sachin | November 3, 2009 1:45 AM

I think this is great! Reaching consumers through technology can be difficult for companies that do not have deep pockets. This allows for the struggling, up and comers to be competitive at a reasonable cost.

Posted by: Credit Restoration Bureau | November 3, 2009 5:00 AM

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Posted by: Alvida | November 3, 2009 10:41 PM

Dana and others:

MixMatchMusic and MobBase are indeed very cool companies offering great value for independent musicians. Another company worth putting on your radar: Nimbit (www.nimbit.com) whose web-based services are helping 15,000 music artists/bands to connect, market and sell direct-to-fan.

With the decline of "record" labels and music sales volumes, the availability of new Web-based apps are a welcome arrival for pro musicians. Thru free direct-to-fan software and services, musicians can better engage their supporters and put more money in their own pockets.

Posted by: Patrick Rafter | November 17, 2009 4:59 PM

Can other organisations or individuals use this program to make apps ? I'm a sole trader English Teacher and would love an app to keep in touch with students... The same functions would work for me... GIG SCHEDULE = LESSON SCHEDULE, MUSIC AUDIO SAMPLES = LESSON AUDIO SAMPLES, VIDEOS = well, obvious isn't it ? ***Why limit this to bands ???***

Posted by: Kieran | January 30, 2010 10:06 PM

Hey Kieran,
Mobile Roadie started as a band-first iPhone app maker and has since made apps for Le Web and other professional development/industry events. There's no reason why this can't also carry over to the classroom.

Posted by: Dana Oshiro | January 31, 2010 9:17 AM