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Music for Corporate Video
Got a question about music and licensing music for corporate video. In the past we’ve done some corporate video, mostly for small companies and haven’t worried too much about using unlicensed copyrighted music, operating under the assumption that since most of the videos were pretty obscure and aren’t usually actively selling something – that it wouldn’t be worth the record label’s time to come after you. Am I being naive? If so, what do people usually do for music…I haven’t had much success with the royalty free music sites…
Thanks
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20 Replies
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What you’ve been doing is illegal. It doesn’t matter who you’re editing the video for. There are lots of music libraries out there to choose from. Find one that works for the style of shows you edit. Do a google search.
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Sam, you are playing Russian Roulette… you have no control over those companies suddenly deciding to put their stuff on YouTube or a corporate website… then what?
There are numerous needle-drop libraries out there, and good ones. You also have the option of building your owen tracks using one of several looping technologies that are easy and even fun to work with. And of course, you still have the option of finding a starving artist composer to custom-make you a track for just a little cash.
With all those available, inexpensive, and legal options, it makes no sense to use un-cleared tuneage.
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Mark,
Thanks for the advice. I do actually have control over where they post their videos, that’s predetermined in a contract, but I guess that’s irrelevant?Can you (or anyone else) suggest any needle-drop libraries? I’ve done some pretty extensive google searches and haven’t some up with anything that great…
Could you also suggest some looping technology/software??
Thanks.
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Look at Smartsound. It’s pretty cool. Also I like Music Bakery. It really depends on the type of music you prefer.
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On the mac we use SonicFire SmartSound and Garage Band. On PC you can try Sony Acid. There are also free loop-based, multi-platform editors out there, just google them up, or get a copy of this monthsn Digitasl Musician magazine at any high-end book store; they usually carry a cd PACKED with synths, loop editors, effects and sample sounds for free or as shareware.
For libraries, depends on what you like and need, but I like Music Bakery and Sound Dogs. You can get some great values as well from the giant libraries at Digital Juice.
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Here is a link to a recent thread that can help.
https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/12/855851
Stephen Smith
Salt Lake VideoCheck out my DVD Money Making Graphics & Effects for Final Cut Studio 2
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I’ll second SmartSound. The mood mapping feature is pretty cool. You can change the mix (for example, leave out the horns or use just the bass and percussion) at any point throughout the piece. You need the SmartSound multi-layer libraries to utilize that functionality.
If I’m not mistaken, they have a demo version of the SonicFire program on their website, and if you buy a copy of version 4.5 now they’ll send you a free of version 5 when it ships. I just updated to 4.5 from the very first version of the program.
Mark Landman
PM Productions
Champaign, IL -
oops! Sorry for the double post. I found how to edit a previously submitted post, but how do you delete a double post?
Mark Landman
PM Productions
Champaign, IL -
I can appreciate that working with small companies, maybe you are just starting how it may seem a pretty quick shortcut to use music that you don’t have the rights to use.
Here’s a problem I see though, you have a contract with a company in which you have illegally used someone else’s work, not sure, but how valid is a contract in which you’ve committed a crime. Granted you haven’t killed someone, but any client of mine that asked to use so and so’s song knowing full well it’s illegal, exactly how much can you trust them to not post it, distribute it…
Believe me, you’re playing with fire and it’s only a matter of time before you get burned.
Johnny Cuevas, Editor
http://www.ckandco.net -
Mark and John both bring up great points on this being illegal and explain how this can hurt financially. I would like to ad that even if you would never get sued by the big record label you still shouldn’t do it because it’s morally wrong. I would like to think that integrity should be everyones guide on these matters, not if you will or will not get in trouble…at least that’s how I see it. Sorry, I’ll get off my soap box.
Stephen Smith
Salt Lake VideoCheck out my DVD Money Making Graphics & Effects for Final Cut Studio 2
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