On one of the other forums I participate in they have a top bar with links to artwork that was voted as worthy by the peers in the community. The final approval for the top slot is given by the moderators.
 
Different works might be submitted for different reasons and the older top slot works get replaced as newer works get selected. 
 
 

Herb-  Lots of good points.  I myself think such a Forum will be hard to sustain.  A lot of work and time to devote.  Might take a dedicated Baker to keep it up.  LOL
 
Karyn-  Totally agree with you about the focus of the Techniques forum.
 
T Riggs-  Thanks dude!

I don't like the voting buttons or the special song forum ideas. I encourage constructive feedback by writing your thoughts out.
The better song forum idea would only separate the less talented from the more talented and create a bigger divide. The lessor ones need the help of the more talented IMO.  We should keep the club together.

Instead of making it a huge collection of songs.... perhaps only the most recent 10 ...or 5.... or 3.... with new ones in pushing the older ones out.

AND.... the committee (assumes there is a committee choosing the songs on their merits) that chose a given song for that spotlight should have to write a detailed report as to what specifically was extra good about that song. Commenting on EQ and use of FX, production values, musicianship, writing, lyrics, and all the other things that go into the decision to spotlight that song.  In other words... "splain yourself on why this song is so outstanding"....
 
I agree that we don't want it to be the cause of division amongst the fine folks here. By keeping it as a rotating short list with explanations, those who don't have the chops in recording can learn from the comments.
 
Although, it could also be argued that this is currently happening already in the existing SONGS FORUM to one degree or another.....
 
Just more random thoughts....

(OK... I wish the real name of posters would show up when you hover over their User names instead of having to click on it to see...)LOL
 
Jimmy, I'm not sure it would cause a divide.  It MIGHT actually be a place where less experienced creators could go to actually hear what "good" stuff sounds like.  I, for one, enjoy sharing the little bit of knowledge I have gained over the years to the less experienced folks.  And I will generally keep my mouth shut if I don't know what I'm talking about or if I don't know the subject material very well.  From what I've seen, there's quite a few folks in here that match that qualification.
 
Interesting discussion here guys and girls!

Rimshot
I don't like the voting buttons or the special song forum ideas. I encourage constructive feedback by writing your thoughts out.
The better song forum idea would only separate the less talented from the more talented and create a bigger divide. The lessor ones need the help of the more talented IMO.  We should keep the club together.

Having given it some more thought, I agree. I think it just needs more participation from more people with a give and take attitude...like it's been in the past.

jamesg1213
 
Having given it some more thought, I agree. I think it just needs more participation from more people with a give and take attitude...like it's been in the past.

Yup, it doesn't need messing with, it's the participants that make it what it is.

Karyn
 
The intention of the Songs forum is as a showcase for your hard work.  This often includes Works In Progress
 

 
Hi Karyn and Tony,

My point is, Support

Knowledge along with experience is the key to attain a solid foundation -- The best source for knowledge and techniques is the Techniques forum: 

Forum description: Discussion based around different techniques (production, engineering, scoring, songwriting, etc.)

So, eventually all the knowledge a person seeks (and they only need to ask) will eventually lead to the point that all those components together equals the final sum = the Song.

Which lead us to the next step;

Songs Forum
Forum description: Post links to your latest songs or projects.

These songs are usually published (released/uploaded online) unfortunately millions of songs are released/uploaded online every day, problem is, over saturation.  So without a lot of support no matter how great the song, performances and production is.... the real problem is, the next step.  

This is how the Song forum should be....
 
The best form of acknowledgement is to 'actually' get Support = more plays/streams, more shared links and if they really, truely love the song? Purchase it.

As the old saying goes.... "Action speaks louder than words".

But meanwhile, in the Songs Forum most comments will often mirror similar feedback... Great mix! Outstanding! Well done! Nice! Cool! Dig it! Kudos! Its like, hmmm what should I say that others haven't said so far? Awesome!

All minor criticism (which is often the case) should be considered with great care to not undo (ruin) other elements of the song. Most people would say, take those types of 'minor criticism' with a grain of salt. Sometimes the OP might decide to not make changes. Either way, that's fine!

Hi Splat,
 
Unfortunately, giving someone 5 Stars doesn't do enough in regards to support. This is why the best form of 'Acknowledgement' is to actually 'Support' = more plays/streams, more shared links and if they really love the song? Purchase it.  
 

 
 
If anyone hasn't stumbled across it yet, have a read through Beep's idea for a 'Collaboration' forum HERE.
 
Such a place to share ideas and recruit collaborators would surely generate more traffic for the Songs forum. In my humble opinion, we'd then have a win-win situation with both a platform to facilitate music creation, and a place to showcase the finished results.

dcumpian
Voting and stars won't let the poster know why. That's a big part of what the songs forum is all about, in my book.

Regards,
Dan

Funnily enough you can vote and post comments. It's not an either/or.

@Songcraft Yes you could vote, write comments, listen and even buy the song later I can't see how voting functionality would change the situation.

Voting encourages engagement, makes things a little more exciting and it's a big success in the enhancements forum right now.