Beta Records

[[File:BETA Records logo.png]]

{{Infobox_Company |
company_name = BETA Records, LLC |
company_logo = <!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:BETA Records logo.png]] -->|
company_type = LLC|
foundation = [[California]] <br /> ([[2004]]) |
location = [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], [[California]] |
industry = Internet / Music|
key_people = [[Chris Honetschlaeger]], [[Entrepreneur|Co-Founder]] and President <br /> [[Georg van Handel]], [[Entrepreneur|Co-Founder]] and [[Chief executive officer|CEO]]|
services = Provides free services to established and developing indie music artists in a social networking atmosphere. |
homepage = [http://www.betarecords.com/ www.betarecords.com] |
}}

'''BETA Records''' is many things to many people. For music fans, BETA Records' multiple Web sites are a rich source of [[indie (music)|independent music]] in almost every conceivable [[music genre|genre]] and style. A mixture of free and fee-based downloads are available from sites based in an ever-growing number of countries.

For artists, BETA Records is an online home for their music, offering digital distribution, access to [[Internet radio]] and [[podcasting]], marketing assistance, avenues toward [[music market|music industry]] contacts, possibilities for physical distribution of albums, opportunities for live and studio recording, and a host of technological aids such as a [[ringtone]] maker<ref>{{cite web |url=http://danielacapistrano.wordpress.com/2007/04/26/beta-records-myspacers-a-ringtone-widget-match-made-in-heaven/ |title=Beta Records & Myspacers: A ringtone widget match made in heaven |accessdate=2007-10-30 |format=HTML |publisher=daniela capistrano }}</ref>.

For both artists and fans, BETA Records offers some of the latest features of the [[social network]]ing phenomena, with a strong emphasis on interactivity.

== How BETA Works ==
BETA is free for all listeners. Artists choose from two types of accounts: a free membership, and a paid professional membership. An [[A&R]] team at BETA Records signs some artists to the [[record label|label]], Providing additional promotional opportunities for these acts.

In both the free and paid artist members, the bands may use BETA to host [[mp3]]s and/or downloads, display photographs, promote shows and events, distribute ringtones, and interact with fans and other artists.

Listeners may create user profiles, begin [[blog]]ging, post a photo album, leave comments on both artists' and listeners' pages, post to forums, and add friends. Listeners may also pick their favorite artists for display on their profile and are then automatically notified AbOUT that artist's activities.

Lists of similar artists, likes/dislikes, [[tags (metadata)|tags]], music popularity charts, and many other interactive features.

== BETA Bus ==
The BETA Bus is a completely self-contained mobile recording studio running off a 10,000 watt diesel generator<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gazettes.com/halloween10272005.html |title=Poly Students Given Chance to Lay Their Raps Down Professionally |accessdate=2007-10-30 |format=HTML |publisher=gazettes }}</ref>.
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:The beta bus.jpg|thumb|The BETA Bus]] -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Inside beta bus.jpg|thumb|Inside of the BETA Bus]] -->
It features
* Broadband satellite connection - used to broadcast live from anywhere.
* State of the art DJ System - used for events, festivals, and promotions.
* Full [[Pioneer Corporation|Pioneer]] Equipment Setup - allows the BETA Bus to not have to sacrifice quality for mobility.
* [[Surround sound]] playback
* Vocal Booth
* Complete industry standard Pro tools system.

== Founders ==
=== Chris Honetschlaeger, President ===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Chris_Honetschlaeger.jpg|frame|right|Chris Honetschlaeger, President of BETA Records|Chris Honetschlaeger, President of BETA Records]] -->
A former [[finance]] manager for the global division of [[Kodak]] and the international division at [[Coca-Cola]], co-founded the franchise business called [[It's a Grind Coffee]], which became the fastest growing coffee franchising organization in the world. BETA Records is his twenty-first century new business venture.

=== Georg van Handel, CEO ===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Georg van Handel.jpg|frame|left|Georg van Handel, CEO of BETA Records]] -->
An accomplished [[contemporary]] [[film]] [[composer]] and [[music producer]], he is descended from the [[18th-Century]] baroque composer [[Georg Friedrich Handel]]. Teaming with Honetschlaeger, they are seeking to combine physical and online sales strategies with social networking.

According to a [[2007]] business presentation, in addition to reinvigorating the global music market, they want BETA Records to bring a revitalization to the concept of social networking.

== BETA Company History ==
=== 2004 ===
* A self-funded, sweat equity venture that became one of the first online after the shut-down of the famed [[MP3.com]]
* Built the BETA Bus, a mobile recording studio, and toured 16 states handing out flyers.

=== 2005-2006 ===
* BetaRecords.com becomes one of the top 10 music Web sites for independent artists
* Became The Primary online partner for [[Diesel-U-Music]]
* Two BETA artists selected to open for [[Bon Jovi]]’s “Have A Nice Day” tour in [[Stuttgart]] and [[Munich]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2006/7/emw408060.htm |title=Beta Records Teams with Jon Bon Jovi, Universal Music to Make Dreams Come True |accessdate=2007-10-30 |format=HTML |publisher=emediawire }}</ref>
* Ringtone widget introduced for BETA artists and music fans, achieving 60,000 daily uses on MySpace and other [[listing of social networking websites|social communities]]

=== 2007 ===
* BETA multimedia recording studio opens in [[Hollywood]] and is immediately utilized by major artists, including [[The Temptations]], and [[Ike Turner]]

=== Plans for 2008 ===
Every aspect of new technology is being marshaled for the upcoming launch of what the company is calling BETA V3 (version 3). Here is one way that V3 can be described: V3 is [[MySpace]], [[YouTube]] and [[MTV]] combined.

== BETA Online ==
Starting from the [[United States]], BETA Records has steadily added offices as well as [[Internet]] locations:
=== [[united states|U.S.]] ===
www.betarecords.com
=== [[Germany]] ===
www.betarecords.de
=== [[Mexico]] ===
www.betarecords.com.mx
=== [[England]] ===
www.betarecords.co.uk
=== [[The Netherlands]] ===
(coming Fall 2007)
=== [[China]] ===
(coming Winter 2007)

== See also ==
* [[Social network service]]
* [[List of social networking websites]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|1}}

== External links ==
[http://www.allaccessmagazine.com/vol5/issue08/beta_studio.html All Access Magazine article on BETA Studio]
[http://blog.mystrands.com/2007/04/30/with-beta-records-because-music-really-does-matter/ MyStrands partners with BETA Records]

== Competitors ==
* [[MySpace]]
* [[TagWorld]]
* [[Pure Volume]]
* [[Buzz]]

[[Category:2004 establishments]]
[[Category:Global internet community]]
[[Category:Companies based in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Online social networking]]
[[Category:Music Industry]]