Is it legal to use free plug-in software on a commercial recording

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GARY GOULD

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Hello There

I was wondering is it legal to use free plug-in software such as Drumcore Free, the free version of Guitar Rig 5 and Yellow Tools Independent Free etc, on a
commercial recording e.g. To sell CD's and downloads. Will I be expected to pay royalties to the software companies if I do.
The free versions have everything need at the moment and I will not be able to afford to buy the full versions of these particular software for a while.

I very much would appreciate any information on this.

Yours Faithfully
Gary Gould
 
I would guess it's fine, but check the licence agreement.
 
GARY GOULD said:
Hello There

I was wondering is it legal to use free plug-in software such as Drumcore Free, the free version of Guitar Rig 5 and Yellow Tools Independent Free etc, on a
commercial recording e.g. To sell CD's and downloads. Will I be expected to pay royalties to the software companies if I do.
The free versions have everything need at the moment and I will not be able to afford to buy the full versions of these particular software for a while.

I very much would appreciate any information on this.

Yours Faithfully
Gary Gould
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I'm pretty sure those ones you'll be fine. I'm 90% sure Guitar Rig 5 (the free version) doesn't require you to pay royalties, but you'd have to read the EULA on all the free software you're using to be 100% sure.

But for the most part, I'm thinking that you wouldn't need to worry about paying anyone royalties. I'd give it a 99.2% certainty.
 
As Mr. Wrenchy says, chances are you're okay--but you need to read each EULA to be sure. I have seen some things that say "free for non commercial use". They're in the minority, but not unheard of. Since the software companies can put whatever they want in the EULA, I'm afraid you're in for some boring legalistic reading.
 
Who's going to know you used them? If it makes you feel any better, send me cash and tell everyone I used them for you!
 
mjbphotos said:
Who's going to know you used them? If it makes you feel any better, send me cash and tell everyone I used them for you!
Click to expand...

^^^^ this ^^^^ except don't send mjb any cash.

If all that's out there is the music you make with those plugins I don't see how anyone could have any idea which plugins you used or if you even used any at all.
If I use a hardware compressor OR a plug in how could anyone tell which I used?
I'm pretty sure they can't so I think this is pretty much a non-issue.
 
Compressors and similar, no. I certainly couldn't tell.

However, things like Drum Core 3 and Guitar Rig are part of the music and both have specific and identifiable sounds.

Even so, you're probably right that on the typical home recording with limited distribution nobody is ever going to notice--but how about if your CD surprises everyone and becomes an international number 1 hit. In that case, there's every chance one of the developers from Drum Core might hear the CD and recognise his work. If commercial use was banned, hey ho, it's lawsuit time.

The chances of this are 1 in billions, both because most plug ins do grant free use anyway and, well, not wanting to insult the OP, my scenario of his CD becoming a commercial number 1 hit is, perhaps, not all that likely.

However, if the OP is even asking the question, it's perhaps worth skimming the EULA until you find either a blanket okay or a restriction on commercial use.

Oh, and good luck with the number 1 hit!
 
Bobbsy said:
Compressors and similar, no. I certainly couldn't tell.

However, things like Drum Core 3 and Guitar Rig are part of the music and both have specific and identifiable sounds.

Even so, you're probably right that on the typical home recording with limited distribution nobody is ever going to notice--but how about if your CD surprises everyone and becomes an international number 1 hit. In that case, there's every chance one of the developers from Drum Core might hear the CD and recognise his work. If commercial use was banned, hey ho, it's lawsuit time.

The chances of this are 1 in billions, both because most plug ins do grant free use anyway and, well, not wanting to insult the OP, my scenario of his CD becoming a commercial number 1 hit is, perhaps, not all that likely.

However, if the OP is even asking the question, it's perhaps worth skimming the EULA until you find either a blanket okay or a restriction on commercial use.

Oh, and good luck with the number 1 hit!
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well ..... I still don't see how. Those programs are designed to attempt to duplicate actual sounds digitally. Maybe if drumcore has specific beats it could be definitively recognized but unless there's some sort of digital watermark I don't see any possible way to prove that one digital recreation of a 69 Marshall bluesbreaker is theirs as opposed to some other digital recreation of a 69 Marshall Bluesbreaker or even the real thing. The same applies to emulations of 22" kick drums and snare pops etc.
Without such proof I don't see any possible way for them to prevail.

Plus .... even if the song went #1 ALL you would have to do if you wanted to be persnickety about it would be to contact them ..... say your recording surprised you with becoming a commercial recording and "How much is the license fee?"

Personally I see it as a non-issue .... that's my opinion .... without some kind of digital watermarking there's NO way they could prove that emulated sound was in fact theirs.
And IF they could then that opens up the door for Marshall to sue all the modeler companies for 'stealing' their sound. And the same for all other amp companies whose sounds are emulated.
 
Of all the things to worry about, this should be way down the list....like somewhere between "What if aliens abduct me in my sleep" and "Are my shoelaces even".
 
Greg_L said:
Of all the things to worry about, this should be way down the list....like somewhere between "What if aliens abduct me in my sleep" and "Are my shoelaces even".
Click to expand...
and "is my music too energetic for geezers?"
 
Greg_L said:
Of all the things to worry about, this should be way down the list....like somewhere between "What if aliens abduct me in my sleep" and "Are my shoelaces even".
Click to expand...

The Aliens would force you to play gigs for them in their intergalactic jazz club..:D
 
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