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Temptations - Cameo - Isleys - O'Jays - Variety - Larry Graham - Isleys - Jacksons - Sly Stone
In a constantly changing digital world, these expert endorsed tips will keep your music (and cash flow) secure
Three weeks prior to the release of Beyoncé Knowles’ fourth solo studio album, 4, several tracks, then ultimately her entire album, leaked. The “Put A Ring On It” songstress took the upset rather well, vibing off the positive feedback of her large fan base. “My music was leaked, and while this is not how I wanted to present my new songs, I appreciate the positive response from my fans,” the singer wrote, in a statement released to MTV.
Beyoncé’s wasn’t alone. Other albums that recently leaked just weeks before hers were Big Sean’s Finally Famous: The Album and Maybach Music Group’s Self Made Vol. 1.
Album leaks (excluding those inspired by PR motives) are just a small segment of a larger music industry problem: music piracy—any form of unlawful duplication and/or distribution of music. Hence, if you found yourself downloading the leaks and possibly even forwarding the link to friends, you’ve made yourself liable for committing music piracy.
Piracy takes on several different forms, from pirate and bootleg recording to counterfeit recording, and—the method continuously growing in popularity—digital piracy. But all have costly affects with record companies, distributors, and artists losing revenue, as well as consumers whose unauthorized activities can lead to hefty fines and other financial ramifications. Research included in the International Federation of Phonographic Industry’s Digital Music Report 2010 found that 70% of all music consumed in the US, UK, France and Germany came through digital channels, while revenues from digital platforms in those countries accounted for only 35 % of industry revenues. Not to mention, overall music sales falling by around 30% between 2004 and 2009.
“There are people who have fun destroying what other people create,” says a senior music executive at a major label, who did not want his identity known. “People use any way they can. Where P2P [peer-to-peer] used to be the main method, I think now it’s more blog sites and websites but either way it’s all the same.”
Whether you are signed or unsigned, there are ways you can protect your craft and essentially your pockets. As part of our coverage of the business of musicfor Black Music Month, here are some expert tips on keeping your music safe, from recording to distribution:
Familiarize yourself with the current legislation
Although it’s often times hard to execute the legislation, it is out there and as a producer of your own product you should be aware of it. Browsing through helpful sites, such as the Center for Democracy & Technology, IFPI, and Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) can help decipher a lot of the content.
Make sure the recording studio is safe
The studio facilities most successful artists use will be secure, but whether you’re signed or not shouldn’t dictate how safe your music is. Don’t be afraid to ask what sorts of measures a studio owner takes in protecting the space. It may seem inconvenient, but having an active Internet connection in the studio while recording puts you at risk, so be sure to enact a no Internet use policy during your studio sessions.
Keep your hard drive secure and hacker proof
The only way to be completely safe is to have total control over your recordings. Bring your own hard drive and when you’re done in the booth, pack it up with you. “Music studios have more security than an airport, but pay little attention to tech security,” said Gregory Evans, former hacker turned founder of LIGATT Security International.
Weigh the pros and cons when it comes to leaking music
Leaking may seem like an easy promotional method and way to get music lovers, fans and bloggers alike talking about your work, but have you thought about the long-term effects? Once it’s out there, no matter how many sweeps your label makes to clear it off of blogs or free music distribution sites, it will forever exist somewhere online.
I owned and operated my own record label. I produced more than 6 records - below is a link to the only music I was able to retrieve.
from my best artist.....
Mellow J.
This is the first one I wrote back in 1990. It was the first track George Donathan and I recorded while at the Miami Music Complex. It was first featured on the 4 track mini LP "Mellow J - The Real Whiteboy from Miami". There are three versions of this track.
The first one was not the greatest. I will attribute that to where we mixed it and the engineer involved....but...for $25.00 an hour....who was I to complain. The second version done by George was pretty tight and features him at the intro and throughout the chorus. In 2010 I decided to re-mix and revamp the music...so...I went and purchased an AKAI XR 20 and re-produced the music myself and mixed it at Debonaire's studio....this was the result. .
Brands I've Used In The Past
Female Voices - Gladys Knight, Nancy Wilson, Patti Label, Anita Baker, Dionne Warwick, Roberta Flack, Chaka Kahn, Phyllis Hyman, Aretha Franklin, Deniece Williams, Stephanie Mills, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Marlena Shaw, Minnie Riperton, Natalie Cole, Whitney Houston
Male Voices - Peobo Bryson, Jeffrey Osborne, Bobby Womack, M Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Eddie Levert, Barry White, Ike Hayes, Billy Paul, Luther Vandross, Lionel Richie, Curtis Mayfield, Lenny Williams, Eddie Kendricks, Freddie Jackson, Charlie Wilson, Prince, Ron Isley, Howard Howett, Jerry Butler, David Ruffin, Dennis Edward, Johnnie Taylor, Al Wilson, Wilson Pickett, Sam Cook, Lou Rawls, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Frankie Beverly, Michael Henderson, Rick James, Teddy Pendergrass, Al Green
The Bands - Earth Wind and Fire, The Gap Band, The Fatback Band, Kool & The Gang, Ohio Players, Confunkshun, Zapp, Parliament, Funkadelic, War, Sly & The Family Stone
BookMark This Page (CTRL-D)
February Is "Black History Month"
This project was designed, developed and funded by george d.
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