For immediate release — October 4, 2021 — Blast Radio, the free audio platform for listeners to hear studio-quality broadcasts directly from the artists they love, daily, is expanding their product line beyond hardware to include a software plugin that allows artists to broadcast to the platform directly from their digital audio workstation (DAW).

To celebrate the launch, Blast Radio is announcing exclusive broadcasts from artists including Alex Cameron, Animal Collective, Kevin Morby, Roy Molloy, and more.

“We launched Blast Radio to give artists a place to experiment and get creative without worrying about their permanent brand, visual identity, or having something live on forever. It’s been amazing to see artists lean into the virtual performance environment and do things they aren’t doing anywhere else. In the past few months, we’ve had everything from a chamber orchestra broadcasting live rehearsals to DJs and rock musicians hosting call-in radio shows,” said Yousef Ali, founder and CEO of Blast Radio.

To date, all content on Blast Radio was broadcast directly to the platform by artists using Blast Box, the company’s proprietary hardware device. Now, the company is expanding its product suite to also include a software plugin that allows artists to broadcast audio directly from their DAW (digital audio workstation).

Whether broadcasting via the Blast Box or the Blast Radio plugin, all content is distributed in a lossless format, ensuring the best possible quality for listeners.

“We originally launched with a piece of hardware for broadcasting, Blast Box. Artists have loved the simplicity of pressing one button on an actual piece of gear to share work with listeners. Now, with the addition of the plugin, we’re creating that same one-button experience for those using a DAW to create. We think it will be especially useful for bands in a studio setting or producers using programs like ProTools, Ableton, or Logic to create,” continued Ali.

Both Blast Box and the Blast Radio plugin are available for purchase on the company’s website. The plugin comes as VST, VST3, AAX, and Audio Unit, which should ensure compatibility with most any DAW (ProTools, Ableton, Logic, etc).

“We only just started using Blast Radio in the last couple of months, but it’s exciting and fun to have an audio-only platform that can be so spontaneous and spur of the moment. We really like the potential for being able to jump on to share something new, old, planned or improvised, whatever, whenever. I really appreciate the minimal approach to feedback as well. It brings the focus to the broadcasting and the listening. In some ways I feel that actually opens up the door to more intimacy for the performer and for the listener. The value for the player is knowing that someone is listening and for the listener… to just engage and receive the sounds rather than think about how they should or could give feedback,” said Deakin of Animal Collective

“I am happy to be asked to participate in Blast Radio. What I have always loved about radio in general is its fleeting nature. Listening to something over the airwaves gives you a sense that the voice coming through the speaker is your companion, living and breathing, sitting at your side. It forces the listener to really listen because once the broadcast is over you’re not sure when you’ll hear it – if ever – again. I’m happy that Blast Radio is bringing back the spirit of the airwaves to us all and encouraging us to tune in and really listen,” said Kevin Morby

“I relate to audiences by telling stories through music. The demo is the first draft of what becomes that story. Through this Blast Radio show, I’m hoping to give listeners a look into a side of the story creation process they seldom get to experience. By doing it as a live show that doesn’t exist forever, my hope is it creates a special moment that me, my guests, and our listeners can all experience together,” said Alex Cameron

“Blast Radio is the premier audio platform, folks. Pure freedom. Flawless, unfettered audio streaming that’s easy to access and super smooth to use. Thanks to Blast for making my broadcast dreams come true,” said Roy Molloy

“I’ve long wanted to play drums for people over the internet somehow, but was too nervous to show my ‘drummer face.’ Naturally radio is the answer. The things that made radio mysterious and enchanting in its early form are present in Blast Radio too: the filling in of the blanks in your imagination about the voice on the other side; the curious feeling of “Where is this coming from?” as the audio pops out of your speakers. As a musician, I’m also looking forward to the opportunity to share music fleetingly, without preciousness, and as spontaneously as putting your ear to my practice room window,” said Spencer Tweedy.

“With the Blast Box, somebody in Barcelona can make weekend plans to check out a set I’m playing in Dubuque, or they can hang out with me at home and dig into a stack of records I just picked up. Blast has invented a truly clever little device that turns every location into a potential creative space and every show into a global live performance,” said M Ross Perkins. 

“The most important thing about music to me is the shared experience. I make music to share in and evoke the more specific and sometimes subtle elements of the human experience, and I listen to music for that same reason. Let’s hang out and riff about what I’m listening to, why I like it, and discover some interesting experiences together,” said  bodyimage describing their upcoming weekly show on Blast Radio.

“In an over-packed box of cassettes, there are dozens of tapes that I used to love to listen to in my ’96 Astro Van. Climbing the gently rolling flatness of Chicago, I would let ‘The Basement Tapes’ or ‘Silk & Soul’ ride. Among those albums are also tapes I made by dubbing music from the radio as a kid growing up in New Orleans. Music from the local r&b and rap station Q93 or 106.7 The End made its way onto those tapes and are etched in my memory. Radio programming should be enriched and encouraged and Blast Radio’s platform — putting music in the hands of creators and seekers alike,” said Emily Elhaj. 

“I’m constantly creating, listening to, and playing new music. The simplicity of pressing one button to share that music with my fans is an amazing concept. Then add the premium sound quality and this is honestly a game changer. Because the content disappears in 24 hours, I’m totally comfortable sharing works-in-progress or unreleased material and letting listeners come on the journey with me,” said Shigeto.

“I’ve had such a great time experimenting with Blast Radio. The flexibility of being able to broadcast at a moment’s notice makes for some really interesting mixes. Honestly just having an outlet to DJ live to some sort of audience (rather than just in my basement to my cat) is a really special thing. I’ve felt a lot of support and love from the Blast team, and I’m so thrilled to see where the app goes in the months to come,” said Teen Daze

Blast Radio is the only audio platform where listeners can hear directly from the artists they love, daily. Broadcasts disappear after 24 hours and are audio only, which means creators have the freedom to share what they want without worrying about it being available forever. Audio is captured in a lossless format and streamed to the listener in the highest available sound quality. Blast Radio is a supportive community; there is no mechanism for negative feedback (no comments, no trolls — only listening, sharing, tipping).

Broadcasts on Blast Radio are created with a simple piece of hardware, Blast Box. Artists plug any audio equipment into the device with an RCA cable, connect the device to their Blast Radio profile with bluetooth, then press one button to broadcast lossless audio live on the Blast Radio app.

Broadcasts on Blast Radio can also be created with the Blast Radio plugin. Artists simply install the plugin on their computer, add it into their digital audio workstation (DAW) then click one button to broadcast lossless audio live on the Blast Radio app.