What is Shazam and how does it work?

Listening to music is one of the greatest pleasures in life. In doing so, the brain reacts to sensations that can make us happy, bring up special memories, etc. But it often happens that even if we like a song a lot, we don’t remember or know its name. The app called Shazam can be useful in this case, so today we will explain how Shazam works and what other apps recognize songs.

What is Shazam and how does it work?

Shazam is a free music recognition app that is very easy to use. It was created in 1999 and since then the frustrations related to not knowing the name of a good song have disappeared.

If you have never used it, do not worry, it is very intuitive and simple, it is even perfect for the elderly, since it does not require complex processes in its operation. With this app, you will never have to search for songs by their lyrics , which can be tedious or complicated if you don’t remember them well.

But how exactly does it work? First, Shazam is in charge of listening to the music that is playing around you, it is even capable of identifying a song just by humming it.

Then, it gives you the results, in which you can find out the title of the song, the author, the lyrics and the video clip; it’s really fascinating . The app stores all the searches you do, and you can link it to your Spotify account to listen to it as many times as you want.

We explain step by step what you must do to achieve recognition of a song with Shazam:

Download the app from the App Store or the Play Store and proceed to install it.
Press the logo of the program with the phrase ¨Pulsa para shazamear¨ . In this way the application will be up and running.

Thanks to Shazam’s artificial intelligence, you will receive song suggestions related to your musical tastes. You can also share these discoveries with your friends through social networks.

Other music recognition apps

Shazam is one of the most famous, but it is not the only one. There are currently multiple alternatives to Shazam for recognizing songs on the market that are also easy to use. We present some free applications available for any mobile device:

SoundHound. To use this app, you must press the orange button and play the music or hum it, in this way you will get the recognition of it. There is a paid version with which you will enjoy more functions without advertising.
Musixmatch. With it you can identify the song that is playing on the radio , on television or any other source. You can also access the lyrics of the song without having to have an internet connection.
Genius. It has a database of more than 1.7 million songs, so it is very likely to get the data of the one you want in seconds.
Deezer. It is an app similar to Spotify, but it has a function called “SongCatcher” with which you can identify the songs that are playing on the radio. There is a premium version for you to enjoy its many benefits without ads, and it has the advantage that you can log into your Deezer account in Spanish.

WhoSampled. It is an application very similar to Shazam with which you must press and hold the screen when playing the song to identify it. It is available for Android systems for free, although in the case of iOS it is a paid application.
Beatfind. If you have an Android mobile device with little capacity, this app is perfect for you. It fulfills the same functions of the previous options. One of the features that can be highlighted in Beatfind is that it plays a music preview and gives you the results on YouTube, Deezer or Spotify, so you can listen to it in full. It is very simple and light.
Google voice search. It does not cover as much repertoire as Shazam but it is quite effective at locating some songs. For example, if the song you like is the last one by Alejandro Sanz, when you ask for it that way, it will appear to you and thus you will be able to know the title of it. You can also use the Google Sound Search song search engine , which works similar to Shazam.

Do not stop listening to your favorite music , even if you do not know or do not remember its name, it is possible to discover it thanks to Shazam and other free applications such as the ones we present in today’s article.

Table of Contents

Shazam: The Music Identification Wizard

What makes Shazam special?

Shazam is a mobile application that utilizes audio fingerprinting technology to identify songs simply by listening to a short clip. With millions of songs in its extensive database, Shazam is capable of recognizing tracks from various genres, ranging from pop and rock to classical and EDM. Whether you’re at a club, watching a movie, or listening to the radio, Shazam can identify the songs playing in the background effortlessly.

How does Shazam work?

When you open the Shazam app and tap the listening button, it starts recording a short audio sample of the song you want to identify. This sample is then processed and compared to the information stored in Shazam’s vast music database. Shazam’s sophisticated algorithms analyze the unique audio patterns and match them with the corresponding song in its library.

The Process of Analyzing and Identifying Songs

Audio Fingerprinting: Shazam’s audio fingerprinting technology captures the key characteristics of a song, such as its melody, tempo, and rhythm. This information forms a distinct “fingerprint” for each song, allowing Shazam to differentiate between different tracks.
Matching and Retrieval: Once the audio sample is recorded, Shazam quickly sends it to its servers for analysis and comparison. The servers search through the vast music database to find a match for the audio fingerprint. This process takes only a few seconds.
Metadata Display: After successfully identifying the song, Shazam provides users with detailed information about the track, including the song title, artist, album, and release date. Additionally, it provides links to various music streaming platforms, allowing users to listen to the full version of the song or add it to their playlists.
Additional Features: Shazam offers several additional features to enhance the user experience. These include the ability to watch music videos, view song lyrics, discover trending tracks, and follow favorite artists to stay updated on their latest releases.

Shazam: Beyond Music Recognition

Apart from its core functionality of song identification, Shazam has evolved to offer a broader range of features and services. Here are a few notable additions:

TV Show and Movie Recognition: Shazam can now identify television shows and movies by analyzing their audio. By simply holding your device towards the TV or cinema screen, Shazam can provide you with details about the program, cast information, trivia, and even links to streaming platforms.
Visual Shazam: In addition to audio recognition, Shazam has introduced a visual recognition feature. By scanning posters, magazines, or other visual content, Shazam can provide users with relevant information, such as links to websites, special offers, or exclusive content.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Shazam is a remarkable app that has revolutionized the way we discover and identify music. With its audio fingerprinting technology, vast song database, and quick analysis, Shazam effortlessly provides users with the information they seek. Furthermore, with its integration of TV show and movie recognition, as well as visual recognition, Shazam continues to expand its capabilities and offer an all-encompassing media identification experience.
So, the next time you hear a catchy tune and find yourself wondering, “What is that song?” simply open Shazam and let it work its magic!