Spotify is entering metaverse and NFTs, an exciting new sonic territory may await with their Roblox theme “islands” promising integration of an online DAW.

The first of these strategies includes Spotify Island, which merges the number one music streaming service with one of the most popular gaming and metaverse platforms with Gen Z, Roblox. From early news, the approach looks to be as much social-fan-hub as gamification of artist branding and content. From the “main” Island, users will portal to theme-based experiences promising interaction with the artists, mini-quest/games, and access to exclusive content. The first theme island, slated for launch in late spring is K-Park, a place for “all things K-Pop”. 

In-game virtual merchandise is also teased as a part of the new ecosystem. For example, users can explore an “audio oasis” to gather “Like” icons and then use them to collect/trade in metaverse goodies. Moving forward, individual artists, labels, and specific releases should begin to populate the virtual archipelago. 

With the promised integration of Spotify’s Soundtrap, an online Digital Audio Workstation it is easy to see why a Web3 DAW could be used within the virtual world to create licensed remixes/NFTs of theme artist’s content. In the context of the Roblox gaming environment, it could be collaborative, contest/prize-based, and be traded/sold from a Roblox compatible marketplace, or one of Spotify’s own creation. A DAW that is tied into your Spotify/Roblox account and used to create, save and tokenize new media content. For example, you buy a pass that allows access to stems and/or unique samples from a theme or featured artist. 

At that point, there is no reason controlling audio can’t be done using new interfaces compatible with the Roblox “VR World”. Why not a DJ deck or spatial objects that can control the volume and position of samples, along with the other workings of Soundtrap? As you use the DAW interface, all the samples and length of time used, custom mix choices like automation and effects processing can be stored. Essentially, you have a saved Soundtrap project that could be repackaged as a metadata and could be used to playback your creation within Spotify Island – by you, or other authorized users.