Karaoke Forums

Here's my idea on how to record singers legally. The singer must legally own the track since they can do what they want under fair use. So under these circumstances I think we'd be okay.

They bring an original CDG with them and you record the vocals for them separately on another disc / mp3 etc. The only thing recorded is them. No infringement of any kind as far as I can see.

OR

They provide the CDG and you record a mixed track for them. The fee (if any) charged is for equipment rental and supply of a blank CD. No copy is kept by the KJ. (Is this illegal copying?)

OR

They pay for a downloaded song (eg tricerasoft) on site and then sing it and the song is recorded to CD / mp3 whatever, including the original mp3+g. No copy of any kind is left on KJ machine (unless KJ purchases or has already purchased that exact same track) Again the fee is for equipment rental and blank media. (Need to check if singer must purchase download themselves or if KJ can be a reseller.)


Not looking for legal advice here, just $0.02!

- Jonn

I no longer have the link but it was for a web site that assisted and procured all the necassary licenses for recording.

A SINGLE RECORDING OR REPRODUCTION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DISTRIBUTION AND DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY LICENSE INCLUDING SYNC OR MECHANICAL LICENCES

Audio or Video.

I can track the singers vocal only into a wav file on their flash drive and what they do with it later at home is their business.

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If you want to do it COMPLETLY legally with no concern for it occuring in a PUBLIC MONEY MAKEING VENUE(a bar), then the answer is to record them ACAPELLA. No need to worry about copyright violations, pirating or need to pay for mechanical or sync liscenses(which you have to have if in a public, money-making setting---not needed for One-time PRIVATE HOME USAGE ONLY).

Record them ACAPELLA and youll be OKAY!!!!

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

With the delta44 I have mixer out routed L/R to 1/2 in (audio record) . From the compressor Lexicon the mics are returned mic1/mc2 to 3/4 in. Then with the M-Audio control panel I can mute 1/2 for vocal only or track mixer output with 1/2 in. Then I simply check the record box in the singers que window.

The same can be done with any setup, just run the compressor or vocal proc to record in.

Live is hard to record esp if you are using EFX but with vocal only the singer can use CEP or any software at home to mix at leisure and to their own preferences.The vocals can also be taken to a professional recording studio. The only person in the whole bar that knows recording is taking place is the host and there is nothing illegal about it.

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Not exactly the topic but Chartbuster is offering recording sessions at their Big Mama Studios in the Smokey Mountains and it says you can sing to their karaoke tracks and then sell the resulting CD. Wonder how much you pay for those rights? But it would appear that there IS a mechanism in place.

Haha good idea

-M'lee <3

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M'lee <3

I went to a karaoke venue one night and the guy recorded some really good singers without thier knowledge, then played a part of it before the next singer. He said that he was going to sell them.

If anyone wants to record vocals over Chartbuster Karaoke tracks, you can contact Dana King (865)577-5597 and she'll walk you through the process of getting it done legally.
Someone above mentioned the Chartbuster studios (Big Mama Recording Studios). Singers record with Chartbuster tracks in these studios everyday. Has a really impressive client list too.

www.bigmamarecordingstudios.com

At my Saturday show I had an elderly woman in her 90's come up to sing a song.
Being the Holiday season I thought I would record her and hand her the CD when she was done. Upon completetion of her song to a standing ovation I handed her the CD of her newly recorded song. At that very moment a guy sitting at the end of the bar with sunglasses and trenchcoat jumps up and YELLS ..."GET HER"
5 swat team members bust down the door and tacklel the lady and haul her off in handcuffs ...I understand she is serving 5 - 10 years for illegal copyright infringment.

What a shame she was a nice lady .......

But why didn't they take you along as you are the one that did the actual recording and distributing of such illegal material.

Dereke--just out of curiousity, what kind of money is involved? Also, are you saying there is an option besides using the Big Mama Studios?

Thanks for your input. It's nice to have someone from the company respond.

As I read the law it seems pretty clear that a recording made expressly for purposes of criticism or instruction is legal under the Fair Use doctrine. You can't make a copy of just the karaoke track without the vocals of course.

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Okay, who took my pants?

After doing research I also found that fair use doctrine applies in this situation; of course, there are those who believe that format shifting is still illegal, so no matter who does what research, there are those who continue to be intimidated out of doing it.

As a caveat, one has to be very careful about recording singers without their knowledge; I will not record singers who are unsure of their singing as sometimes hearing themselves will effectively finish their karaoke career for them.

On the other hand, singers who are obviously very good and have a healthy attitude about their singing...they LOVE it when you hand them a CD at the end of the night with all their songs on it. I have NEVER charged for this, and wouldn't. Often singers who know I have recording capabilities will bring in a blank for me to record them on, and they bring in all their privately owned music as well. (Gotta wonder what they do with all those CDs....)

It is really a great practice tool, which is why I do it, and which is why I get thanked profusely. It has made a world of difference in some of the singers who frequent our shows.

(Also, if you're going to record singers, it is better not to tell them, even the really good singers -- they can all of a sudden develop a case of nerves and are focusing so much on doing an excellent job that they stop enjoying singing their songs.)

I turned states evidence and agreed to testify for amunity.. will be joining the witness protection program shortly

Hmmmm. Imagine that.

I only spent 5 yrs in jail though it was worth it.

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