Collaboration Anyone? September 23 2001 at 4:08 PM
Okay, I've got a finished tune, but I hate the vocals! Who wants to take a shot at laying down a vocal track?
Logistically, collaboration shouldn't be too difficult. I'll just send you the contents of my SmartMedia card, and you can record a new vocal track over my existing one and ship the whole thing back.
I think files will be too big to e-mail, though, so I'm wondering what would be the best method (will MSN Messenger or Netmeeting do this?)
take a look at http://www.artistcollaboration.com for storage space and others that might want to collaborate. You could mix down everything but vocals to mp3 and send that to singer, have singer record wave of vocals and send that to you, then sinch it up in multi track software. Just an idea
Anonymous
Untitled
September 25 2001, 10:51 PM
thanks, huggy bear. i was not aware of that site...will check it out.
Murray
Vocals
September 26 2001, 10:26 PM
I would take a stab at it. I have a fairly high voice. I pull off a good Matchbox 20 sound........I think.
let's give it a go
September 27 2001, 9:06 PM
Murray, send me an e-mail and we'll figure out a way to transfer the file to you. I think we can do it using MSN Messenger.
John
We Need Your Results
September 29 2001, 8:55 AM
If everything works out please post your MP3. It's been over a month with no new posts.
Steve Foster
John
September 29 2001, 8:40 PM
In relation to your last post. I don't want to sound like lars from metallica but possibly the reason people have been reluctant to put up original Mp3's is because they are afraid of getting their song's ripped off. Therefore all we have heard are hokey 12 bar blues. I've got several good sounding original songs with vox and the lot, I just wanted to know what protection my songs would have if I posted them on the net.
I'm not saying they'll make the top 20 but they've still got some meaning to me. Let me know your opinions.
RickTheStick
copyright
September 30 2001, 2:38 AM
I agree with Steve Foster. I don't want to post my uncopyrighted tunes either.
This is such a great tool for getting my ideas down. I've written several tunes with the PS02 because it's so easy. I have a 40 channel digital studio that I can put out a finished product with but to fire it all up and get it going takes a lot of time. I am able to capture quick ideas and build them into complete songs, stuff that I would normally just forget about.
John
Copyright?
September 30 2001, 5:48 AM
You both bring up good points and I think you may have hit on what’s stifled new MP3’s from showing up. If you noticed the MP3 which I posted … it wasn’t an original … just my version of a hit song by another group. When Zoom posted it, they edited out my credits to that band. Since it looked like everyone else’s MP3’s were originals I asked Zoom off-line if they only wanted originals. Although I didn’t get a firm Yes or No, I got the impression that they were concerned that they might get some cease and desist letters from record companies unless the MP3’s were originals. It’s too bad if copyright concerns are the reason because I really have enjoyed everyone’s MP3’s but I understand the concern.
Shamus
Long way to a quick answer
September 30 2001, 10:47 PM
It really depends what your issues are. If someone really likes what you've done then you're not gonna be able to stop them playing it should they wish to do so, but you know you still wrote it.
But if you're bothered about others making financial gain from your creativity then you need to take some actions that will hold in court should you ever end up there. I guess that differs from country to country but in general you should burn a CD, write the tab/notation, add some sort of letter, and then mail it to yourself registered delivery. As long as you don't open it you have evidence of a date of creation. Stick it in your lawyers safe for more security.
But it's all subjective anyway. If you're on the brink of a record deal or doing major gigging then just don't post your stuff. But if you want other people to hear it and maybe appraise it .....
Personally I seriously doubt much would come of anything. I have had a couple of occasions where something I have written some time ago sounds remarkably like some bands latest offering. It's just coincidence but it makes me kind of chuffed to hear "my" riff in a commercial song. The flip side is often I've come up with something new and then realise it's been done before.
The quick answer is check with MP3.com. They have legal measures to protect the rights of anyone posting on there.
Killerbee
Poll
October 1 2001, 7:54 PM
Let's take a poll.
How many people have not posted an MP3 because they:
1) Don't have an MP3 to post?
2) Are too shy to share their "hokey" creation with the world?
3) Are worried they'll see Lenny Kravitz performing it on VH1 without permission?
Submit your answer now!
Shamsu
Creaky stage?
October 1 2001, 8:17 PM
Cool idea, Killerbee. The feedback should be interesting. My thoughts, for their little value, are:
If you're considering answering (1) then you've gotta be underusing the PS-02. There may be better ways to record but you're here reading this PS-02 forum. If you're more of a rhythm player then don't be intimidated by some of the fretboard gymnastics you hear. There's some hot rhythms out there.
If you're considering answering (2) Hey do you have some internet alter-ego with street cred that you just can't risk. If you're proud of it post it. There are a hundred different ways to quantify what is good or bad, and hopefully any criticism will be constructive.
And if you're answering (3) then maybe with a little effort you'll be playing it on VH1 instead. Or at least establishing your own Premium MP3.com account.
Steve Foster
hmmmm
October 1 2001, 8:55 PM
It seems I've opened a can of worms. I just want to make it clear that my original post was in no way ego related. I assumed that as most people here were songwriters that they would understand that songs are more than just riffs strung together. Songwriting is not an easy proccess for me and its something I take pride in and try to perfect.It's not so much the thought of Lenny Kravitz playing my song on VH-1 that disturbs me as some others saying "hhmmmm that bridge would be perfect for my song, I think i'll just add it"
All I really wanted to originally know was could I put up an undownloadable version of my song so that others could just listen to it? After all isn't putting an Mp3 of your song up on the Mp3.com insurance policy enough against having your song plagarised? I dont really understand the whole legal logistics of it.
killerbee
Untitled
October 1 2001, 10:18 PM
Steve, assuming you are in the U.S., you should register your song with the copyright office at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. (www.loc.gov/copyright.html) I lifted that out of the Complete Idiot's Guide to Songwriting.
But you can't stop people recording your music once it's on the Web. Even if it's in streaming format, the person can always record it as it plays.
Personally, my dreams of stardom are long over, and I'm just looking to share my tunes and hear what others have created. If people want to steal my songs I'd be flattered (and very surprised). But I recognize others may have different goals.
I'm not even sure our friend Zoom (or Zoetrope) is posting stuff anymore. I sent him an e-mail inquiring about this and didn't hear back. Anyone else try to post a song lately?
Shamus
Untitled
October 2 2001, 1:26 AM
Steve,
Hey I guess you just picked a top subject that everyone thinks about but there is no hard answer.
There are so many songs out there with bridges, choruses, licks and riffs that sound just like they have been lifted from another song. Realistically there is little you can do to protect yourself, and in most cases it's probably not worth the effort. Obviously if the whole song was robbed note-for-note, word-for-word then that's a whole different ball game.
I do however hold my hand up to making the distinction between the stuff that I'll post here and that which I'll hold back.
Don't post your songs until you're comfortable with the idea. And if necessary set up your own MP3.com account and just provide the link.
The short answer
October 2 2001, 10:08 AM
Copyright your songs if you're worried about others stealing them. There's no other practical way of protecting your music, other than never playing it for anyone, and that would be a waste.
Feel free to email me your new tunes and I'll upload them to our MP3.com account and link to them here. If you want them posted as "streaming only" then let me know.
John
A Longer Answer
October 16 2001, 10:34 PM
Since this subject came up, I did a little research on copyrighting songs. Please keep in mind that I’m not a lawyer, can’t guarantee this to be correct but have tried to put together what I found in a condensed form that might give some peace of mind and help those who will be taking the next step. All this information in detail is available at:
Copyright is secured automatically when the work is created, and a work is "created" when it is fixed in a copy or phonorecord for the first time. So to establish a copyright on a song you only need to have a lyric/music lead sheet that you can read or a recording of it i.e. a cassette or CD. Then technically you have an unpublished unregistered copyrighted song.
There is also something called a "Poor Man's Copyright" which might provide additional evidence to proof of authorship. Details are supposed to be available through your nearest United States Post Office.
An unregistered copyright is supposed to be permanent, giving you authorship protection for your song. No one is legally permitted to use it without your consent... but... if a legal dispute arises, the legal system will not hear your claim until it is registered.
To register a copyright:
Use Form PA (For a Work of the Performing Arts) or
Form PAS (Short Form Version ... has some restrictions)
Fee is $30 thru June 30, 2002.
These forms along with instructions can be downloaded from the Copyright Office Website at http://www.loc.gov/copyright/ or by requesting the forms by calling (202) 707-3000.
Registration gives five (5) specific rights:
1. The right to perform publicly
2. The right to distribute for sale, transfer, rental, lease etc.
3. The right to display work publicly
4. The right to reproduce the copyrighted work
5. The right to prepare derivative works from copyrighted work
If anyone had gone through this process(I have not), maybe thay can shed some additional light on subject.
