[MuffinsOfGump]

Hey everyone, I have been wondering, does Soundcloud or Youtube have a superiority in audio quality over the other? And is there a difference in quality when uploaded to one or the other? Thanks guys

 

[Music Alchemist]

The problem with YouTube is that random users upload stuff. The audio quality is often horrible. SoundCloud focuses on the artists themselves uploading their material, so naturally the quality will be higher most of the time.

 

[MuffinsOfGump]

If it's uploaded by the artist themselves what would you think?

 

[Music Alchemist]

  If it's uploaded by the artist themselves what would you think?

 
What are you asking exactly?
 
By the way, I'm sure you know about Bandcamp. That's another site where the artists can upload, stream, give away, and sell their music. Lossless downloads are available there too.
 
You'll like this:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/731523/the-free-music-thread-100-legal-downloads-of-all-formats

 

[MuffinsOfGump]

I'm just wondering if say Youtube supports a higher bitrate audio than Soundcloud or vice versa, just for some more worldly knowledge

 

[MuffinsOfGump]

Also thanks a ton for that link

 

[Music Alchemist]

  I'm just wondering if say Youtube supports a higher bitrate audio than Soundcloud or vice versa, just for some more worldly knowledge

 
Bit rate is not necessarily indicative of quality, so I wouldn't worry about those specs. Most of the time, SoundCloud will be higher quality. Some YouTube links are high quality, but more of them are extremely low quality.
 

  Also thanks a ton for that link

 
Here's another:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/644595/official-free-flac-file-music-sharing-thread

 

[WraithApe]

Yeah, as above - SoundCloud is definitely a better bet than YouTube for high quality audio. It makes sense really, given that SoundCloud is purely for music, whilst that isn't the primary function of YouTube.
 
YouTube compresses the audio stream for all uploads - although it's arguably not that noticeable if the original upload was of high quality. SoundCloud transcodes tracks (to a comparable bitrate of 128 kbps) for streaming playback, but unlike YouTube, it allows users to download tracks in the same resolution they were uploaded at (if the artist makes the track downloadable). It supports the uploading of tracks in lossless formats too.
 
Potentially useful link on YouTube audio compression: 
http://www.h3xed.com/web-and-internet/youtube-audio-quality-bitrate-240p-360p-480p-720p-1080p

 

[Music Alchemist]

Also, some (but not many) SoundCloud links offer lossless downloads.