Sound Collage Idea Legalities

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 12:23 pm

Driving home last night I was listening to Spock's Beard, The Kindness of Strangers album. When I got to track 7, "Flow…", I found myself playing the first minute of the song over and over (and over…) just to listen to the incredible RIC bass sound. This gave me an idea.

I'm thinking of creating a RIC bass "sound collage" consisting of a bunch of 2 to 10 second sound clips of awesome RIC bass sounds from commercial (albeit mostly obscure) albums tastefully combined together into 1 grand recording. Dozens of specific sound bytes instantly and easily came to mind.

All of the clips will come from my personal CD collection of legally purchased recordings, and no sound clip will be longer than 10, maybe 15 seconds. However, with the recent RIAA lawsuits, I'm concerned about the legality of placing the completed "collage" on a site where it can be downloaded. If anything, I actually think this "collage" will generate some revenue for the artists and record companies since I will place a detailed list of every clip on the site, and possibly influence some people to purchase the corresponding albums. Under no circumstances will any complete song, or clip longer than 15 seconds be available. Nevertheless, I don't want to do anything illegal.

Does anybody know if this is allowable?

Does anybody like/hate the idea?

dean712 · Post by **dean712** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 2:50 pm

Second question first - I like the idea and would definitely listen to it!

First question - if there was money involved (which there won't be), it would probably not be legal. Just a simple post - I have no idea. Hopefully somebody else around here will.

lshaia · Post by **lshaia** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 5:08 am

Hey, John, I'd like to hear it as well. Considering how long your "list" must be by now the collage would be about an hour long, more like a Ric Symphony.

BTW there's a nice interview with NDV in this month's Guitar Player.

Oh yeah, KOS is my favorite of the Neal era Beard CDs.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 6:27 am

John, I think this is allowed as long as you don't charge money for the download. There is a legal precedent in terms of sampling, the length of the sample, and the reproduction of that sample. I think if you follow the guidelines you set forth, you should be fine.

lshaia · Post by **lshaia** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 7:31 am

Sorry, "Ric Symphony" would be better described as "Concerto for Rickenbacker Bass and Incidental Accompaniment", which, after all, is what the best songs are anyway.

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 11:34 am

Cool. Thanks Steve.

Lindsay, thanks for the Nick interview tip. I'll look for it. BTW: Dave's bass (now yours) is a 1980 4001, correct? Do you know if it was his main bass (with the tortoise shell guard)?

I already recorded the clip from KOS. Now on to Starcastle. I'm limiting myself to 1 clip per album, so I think I'm looking at "Forces".

I've never been known for speed, so it'll be awhile, but as always, please send any great RIC bass leads to me at mortivanATyahooDOTcom.

Thanks!

highway_star · Post by **highway_star** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 11:37 am

Don't forget "Pictures of Home" from Deep Purple's "Machine Head" album.

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 11:38 am

..and cool title. How 'bout "Fragmented Concerto for Distinct Rickenbacker Bass (with Incidental Accompaniment)", "A Study in RIC Bassdom", or "Alan's Psychedelic RIC Bass Breakfast"?

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 11:59 am

Interesting idea. I think that the people who post here are some of the few who actually worry about doing the right thing. I've noticed that we are the only group that seems to worry about this stuff

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 11:10 pm

Good idea. Don't know about the legal part, but I'm with Ron, make sure that the bass solo from Pictures of Home is there... that's the epitome of Ric bass sound IMHO.

philipharris · Post by **philipharris** » Sun Mar 06, 2005 2:03 am

Great idea, but not legal without a copyright licence (or licences in this case) whether or not you charge for it. Fact you are only taking a few seconds of each doesn't matter. Sorry to be a wet blanket.

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Sun Mar 06, 2005 6:54 am

Hmm. Well, I can still do this for myself for now.

Pictures of Home duly noted

jmh · Post by **jmh** » Sun Mar 06, 2005 1:25 pm

Why not post solo snippets of yourselves getting that envied Ric sound of Squire/Meros/Camp/Lee? Something like 15-60 seconds worth? I'd be interested to hear it, and how you got it.

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Sun Mar 06, 2005 4:06 pm

There's a thought. It would be easy to get copyright clearance that way!

lshaia · Post by **lshaia** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 3:46 am

"yourselves getting that envied Ric sound of Squire/Meros/Camp/Lee?" If I knew how to do that...

John, yep, that's the one.