hey all, some input requested about Copyright info?

[Bobcat102122]

I have a Yamaha PSR-270 keyboard which I use for drum samples, synth sounds, and live "accompaniment". Lately I have found that some of the pre-recording intro and outro sequences, as well as some of the " auto accompaniment" styles, have fit my needs for some of my own recordings. My question is this, is it legal, let alone advisable, for me to use these sequences in my own works? if so do I need to show permission or anything of that sort? yamahas website had no such information so a little help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance to all who reply

Gracias,

~Bobcat

~The Bobcat

 

[bball jones]

If you must - but try not to be to obvious

It would be a good idea to make some kind of minor change to your intros and outros. Try and insert more of your own individuality into your music. Many different songs have a similar chord pattern, the differences are in melodies and words.

 

[rats]

those patterns are not copyrighted unless they say so in your manual which they surely aren't. You can use them. It's no different than a DJ using a beat off a a record or using a pre set drum pattern in a SEQUENCE from a drum machine or whatever. Or a sample? If it's an obvious rip off make sure you do it in a way that is cool. You would be better off using a sampled bit from a popular song that people would recognize as a sample than a preset demo or whatever you're using from your sequencer. To those who are familiar to that it will sound really cheesey.
If you can base a career on pre fab music and you dig it, more power to you.

 

[Brad]

Hey Bobcat,
Technically you can't copyright a drum beat or fill. That would be crazy - I (and I am sure many others here) could (and probably have) invented my own drum patterns that could be found on any synth or drum machine around. The thing you need to be careful of are preset styles, that come in most Roland gear. They may refer to a style pattern as "Motown" and it sounds very similar to a well known motown song from the 60's. Roland will print a disclaimer in the manual basically saying "We hold copyright on this pattern, and you are free to use it, but if someone comes along and claims that it is their song, we will not be responsible..." In other words, the guys at Roland may have written a style pattern that sounds like the Jackson 5's "ABC" but not exactly the same. You can use it in your own song, but if Berry Gordy sues you, Roland will claim total exemption, and you will be the one paying.

Hope this helped.

Brad





Brad

 

[LI Slim]

As far as the copyright issue goes, you can use them freely. Don't worry.

 

[MAC2]

Most , if not all music that has been programmed into a digital recording device is either not copyrightable or the appropriate mechanical license fee has been paid to the holder of the copyright of the material used (i.e. "demo songs" in the machine). As Brad and rats have said digital drum patterns and the like are not copyrightable. However, if you utilize a "song sample" from an existing tune and place it in you creative composition, you would be wise to secure a mechanical license from the publisher or individual copyright holder if you intend to market your composition to the public. For more info on what costitutes a copyrightable "work" there is a very comprehensive book called "This Business of Music" by Krasilovsky and Shemel which contains essential invaluable information on the music business. Or the U.S. Copyright Office as well as ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and the Harry Fox Agency maintain huge websites. Sorry I don't have their URL's handy but I'm sure they'd pop up if you did a search.