Spotify Syncro: The idea and execution
Spotify Syncro is a custom feature set that lets users adjust song pitch and speed through "Creative Mode" and "Altered Mode." Built from user insights, it was pitched to 20 Spotify employees, including Senior Staff.
Insights
Apr 8, 2024
Enhancing Music Customization in Spotify
Over the last two months, two college students designed a solution to the Spotify premium problem here’s the story of how we went from an idea to a meeting with multiple product designers and Group Product Managers.
Check out our YouTube video:
How it all started
Two months ago, I stumbled upon an intriguing remix of a popular song, sparking the idea of customizable music in our favorite streaming app, Spotify. Frustrated by the cumbersome process of downloading and uploading music to third-party applications just to enjoy altered versions, I envisioned a more seamless solution.
I began designing a customizable interface for Spotify. What started as a casual idea quickly evolved into a serious project. I realized that many users, like me, craved more control over their listening experience. To validate my concept, I interviewed fellow students and gathered their feedback.
To my surprise, many were unaware that Spotify already had an equalizer feature! This revelation solidified my resolve to incorporate not just pitch and speed changers, but also to highlight and enhance the existing equalizer function.
Determined to turn vision into reality
Fueled by excitement and curiosity, I conducted more interviews, surveyed hundreds of students, and even pitched the concept to multiple product designers and Group Product Managers. The journey from a simple idea to a comprehensive design concept, now known as Spotify Syncro, has been nothing short of exhilarating.
In the fast-paced world of music streaming, Spotify has maintained its position as a market leader, boasting millions of users worldwide. However, a significant trend has emerged where users increasingly share customized versions of songs on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. While this trend has enhanced user engagement, it has also led to considerable copyright challenges for artists and streaming platforms. To tackle these issues and elevate user experience, “Syncro” a comprehensive design concept aimed at revolutionizing music customization in Spotify.
Here is the Problem
Many users don’t see enough value in Spotify Premium. According to our survey, 52% felt the subscription wasn’t worth the price, while 73% said Spotify felt no different from its competitors—just more expensive.
On top of that, Spotify faces copyright issues. Around 15–20% of its music catalog has been involved in infringement disputes, often due to user-made edits like sped-up or slowed-down tracks. Users want more creative control, yet the current platform limits customization, leading to a sense of disconnection from the music they pay for.
To dive deeper, we surveyed 2,000 Spotify users across various demographics. Key findings:
60% wanted more music customization features
45% felt current options were lacking
70% were eager to share personalized versions on social media
These insights laid the foundation for Spotify Syncro.
The Solution:
Spotify Syncro introduces two distinct modes:
Creative Mode lets users alter pitch and speed to create personalized versions of tracks, then save them to custom playlists.
Altered Mode offers access to pre-customized songs inspired by trends across TikTok, Instagram, and user data worldwide.
A new Trending section highlights viral edits, and intuitive navigation makes exploring customizations seamless.
Customization Features
· Pitch and Speed Changers: Integrate these features within the app to allow users to customize their listening experience.
· Modes: Introduce “Creative Mode” and “Altered Mode” to cater to different user preferences.
Experience & Impact
Syncro deepens user engagement through personalization, encouraging longer sessions and increasing satisfaction. This added value helps justify a new Premium+ tier at $14.99/month (vs. the standard $9.99), with unique features driving loyalty and retention.
Business Objectives
We project $200M in added revenue in year one, a $1.50 ARPU increase, and a 10% bump in subscribers. Copyright concerns will be addressed through legal reviews and responsible implementation.
Market Positioning
Spotify holds a 15% growth rate YoY and dominates among users aged 18–34. The music streaming market is on track to hit $45B by 2025, and competitors like Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music lag behind in personalization. Syncro gives Spotify a clear edge.
GTM Strategy
To reach the 18–34 tech-savvy segment, our launch strategy includes influencer campaigns, social media promotion, and gamified referral programs. A high-impact launch event and continued updates will keep Syncro in the spotlight.
Outreach & Validation
To refine our approach, we pitched our idea to Spotify employees across design, product, and marketing. Through 35–50 outreach messages, we secured meetings—including one with a Group Product Manager—and gained valuable feedback. Iterating on these conversations, we evolved our pitch deck and even partnered with a Senior Product Designer at Spotify to strengthen our vision.
More to Discover
Spotify Syncro: The idea and execution
Spotify Syncro is a custom feature set that lets users adjust song pitch and speed through "Creative Mode" and "Altered Mode." Built from user insights, it was pitched to 20 Spotify employees, including Senior Staff.
Insights
Apr 8, 2024
Enhancing Music Customization in Spotify
Over the last two months, two college students designed a solution to the Spotify premium problem here’s the story of how we went from an idea to a meeting with multiple product designers and Group Product Managers.
Check out our YouTube video:
How it all started
Two months ago, I stumbled upon an intriguing remix of a popular song, sparking the idea of customizable music in our favorite streaming app, Spotify. Frustrated by the cumbersome process of downloading and uploading music to third-party applications just to enjoy altered versions, I envisioned a more seamless solution.
I began designing a customizable interface for Spotify. What started as a casual idea quickly evolved into a serious project. I realized that many users, like me, craved more control over their listening experience. To validate my concept, I interviewed fellow students and gathered their feedback.
To my surprise, many were unaware that Spotify already had an equalizer feature! This revelation solidified my resolve to incorporate not just pitch and speed changers, but also to highlight and enhance the existing equalizer function.
Determined to turn vision into reality
Fueled by excitement and curiosity, I conducted more interviews, surveyed hundreds of students, and even pitched the concept to multiple product designers and Group Product Managers. The journey from a simple idea to a comprehensive design concept, now known as Spotify Syncro, has been nothing short of exhilarating.
In the fast-paced world of music streaming, Spotify has maintained its position as a market leader, boasting millions of users worldwide. However, a significant trend has emerged where users increasingly share customized versions of songs on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. While this trend has enhanced user engagement, it has also led to considerable copyright challenges for artists and streaming platforms. To tackle these issues and elevate user experience, “Syncro” a comprehensive design concept aimed at revolutionizing music customization in Spotify.
Here is the Problem
Many users don’t see enough value in Spotify Premium. According to our survey, 52% felt the subscription wasn’t worth the price, while 73% said Spotify felt no different from its competitors—just more expensive.
On top of that, Spotify faces copyright issues. Around 15–20% of its music catalog has been involved in infringement disputes, often due to user-made edits like sped-up or slowed-down tracks. Users want more creative control, yet the current platform limits customization, leading to a sense of disconnection from the music they pay for.
To dive deeper, we surveyed 2,000 Spotify users across various demographics. Key findings:
60% wanted more music customization features
45% felt current options were lacking
70% were eager to share personalized versions on social media
These insights laid the foundation for Spotify Syncro.
The Solution:
Spotify Syncro introduces two distinct modes:
Creative Mode lets users alter pitch and speed to create personalized versions of tracks, then save them to custom playlists.
Altered Mode offers access to pre-customized songs inspired by trends across TikTok, Instagram, and user data worldwide.
A new Trending section highlights viral edits, and intuitive navigation makes exploring customizations seamless.
Customization Features
· Pitch and Speed Changers: Integrate these features within the app to allow users to customize their listening experience.
· Modes: Introduce “Creative Mode” and “Altered Mode” to cater to different user preferences.
Experience & Impact
Syncro deepens user engagement through personalization, encouraging longer sessions and increasing satisfaction. This added value helps justify a new Premium+ tier at $14.99/month (vs. the standard $9.99), with unique features driving loyalty and retention.
Business Objectives
We project $200M in added revenue in year one, a $1.50 ARPU increase, and a 10% bump in subscribers. Copyright concerns will be addressed through legal reviews and responsible implementation.
Market Positioning
Spotify holds a 15% growth rate YoY and dominates among users aged 18–34. The music streaming market is on track to hit $45B by 2025, and competitors like Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music lag behind in personalization. Syncro gives Spotify a clear edge.
GTM Strategy
To reach the 18–34 tech-savvy segment, our launch strategy includes influencer campaigns, social media promotion, and gamified referral programs. A high-impact launch event and continued updates will keep Syncro in the spotlight.
Outreach & Validation
To refine our approach, we pitched our idea to Spotify employees across design, product, and marketing. Through 35–50 outreach messages, we secured meetings—including one with a Group Product Manager—and gained valuable feedback. Iterating on these conversations, we evolved our pitch deck and even partnered with a Senior Product Designer at Spotify to strengthen our vision.
More to Discover
Spotify Syncro: The idea and execution
Spotify Syncro is a custom feature set that lets users adjust song pitch and speed through "Creative Mode" and "Altered Mode." Built from user insights, it was pitched to 20 Spotify employees, including Senior Staff.
Insights
Apr 8, 2024
Enhancing Music Customization in Spotify
Over the last two months, two college students designed a solution to the Spotify premium problem here’s the story of how we went from an idea to a meeting with multiple product designers and Group Product Managers.
Check out our YouTube video:
How it all started
Two months ago, I stumbled upon an intriguing remix of a popular song, sparking the idea of customizable music in our favorite streaming app, Spotify. Frustrated by the cumbersome process of downloading and uploading music to third-party applications just to enjoy altered versions, I envisioned a more seamless solution.
I began designing a customizable interface for Spotify. What started as a casual idea quickly evolved into a serious project. I realized that many users, like me, craved more control over their listening experience. To validate my concept, I interviewed fellow students and gathered their feedback.
To my surprise, many were unaware that Spotify already had an equalizer feature! This revelation solidified my resolve to incorporate not just pitch and speed changers, but also to highlight and enhance the existing equalizer function.
Determined to turn vision into reality
Fueled by excitement and curiosity, I conducted more interviews, surveyed hundreds of students, and even pitched the concept to multiple product designers and Group Product Managers. The journey from a simple idea to a comprehensive design concept, now known as Spotify Syncro, has been nothing short of exhilarating.
In the fast-paced world of music streaming, Spotify has maintained its position as a market leader, boasting millions of users worldwide. However, a significant trend has emerged where users increasingly share customized versions of songs on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. While this trend has enhanced user engagement, it has also led to considerable copyright challenges for artists and streaming platforms. To tackle these issues and elevate user experience, “Syncro” a comprehensive design concept aimed at revolutionizing music customization in Spotify.
Here is the Problem
Many users don’t see enough value in Spotify Premium. According to our survey, 52% felt the subscription wasn’t worth the price, while 73% said Spotify felt no different from its competitors—just more expensive.
On top of that, Spotify faces copyright issues. Around 15–20% of its music catalog has been involved in infringement disputes, often due to user-made edits like sped-up or slowed-down tracks. Users want more creative control, yet the current platform limits customization, leading to a sense of disconnection from the music they pay for.
To dive deeper, we surveyed 2,000 Spotify users across various demographics. Key findings:
60% wanted more music customization features
45% felt current options were lacking
70% were eager to share personalized versions on social media
These insights laid the foundation for Spotify Syncro.
The Solution:
Spotify Syncro introduces two distinct modes:
Creative Mode lets users alter pitch and speed to create personalized versions of tracks, then save them to custom playlists.
Altered Mode offers access to pre-customized songs inspired by trends across TikTok, Instagram, and user data worldwide.
A new Trending section highlights viral edits, and intuitive navigation makes exploring customizations seamless.
Customization Features
· Pitch and Speed Changers: Integrate these features within the app to allow users to customize their listening experience.
· Modes: Introduce “Creative Mode” and “Altered Mode” to cater to different user preferences.
Experience & Impact
Syncro deepens user engagement through personalization, encouraging longer sessions and increasing satisfaction. This added value helps justify a new Premium+ tier at $14.99/month (vs. the standard $9.99), with unique features driving loyalty and retention.
Business Objectives
We project $200M in added revenue in year one, a $1.50 ARPU increase, and a 10% bump in subscribers. Copyright concerns will be addressed through legal reviews and responsible implementation.
Market Positioning
Spotify holds a 15% growth rate YoY and dominates among users aged 18–34. The music streaming market is on track to hit $45B by 2025, and competitors like Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music lag behind in personalization. Syncro gives Spotify a clear edge.
GTM Strategy
To reach the 18–34 tech-savvy segment, our launch strategy includes influencer campaigns, social media promotion, and gamified referral programs. A high-impact launch event and continued updates will keep Syncro in the spotlight.
Outreach & Validation
To refine our approach, we pitched our idea to Spotify employees across design, product, and marketing. Through 35–50 outreach messages, we secured meetings—including one with a Group Product Manager—and gained valuable feedback. Iterating on these conversations, we evolved our pitch deck and even partnered with a Senior Product Designer at Spotify to strengthen our vision.