Correspondence: Pay for MIDI's ???

[tavenger5]

From: Robert Gould - TERBO inc
To: john@johnsworld.com
Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2002 8:56 PM
Subject:

I think you've lost your mind ! ! ! Paying for midi's ..... yeah ... right ! ! !
__________________________________________________ _
Response:

As you can see, some MIDI's are free on the page. They were sequenced by normal sequencers. These files are also not in the HitTrax database. I was forced to remove my database or else pay some heavy fines.

Of course, the ones in the HitTrax database are professionally sequenced. I'm sure there are professional recording studios that need MIDI files to run a backing tracks for singers. Or perhaps a singer theirself, that has the right equipment, could easily make a 'backing track' to sing to.

On the other hand, if you're collecting files to listen to, then I would take up a new hobby. They're not all free anymore and it could get rather expensive. Although it is kinda neat hearing that latestest hit though your Roland.

In my case I use them for clients who want backing tracks, or if I'm bored and I want to learn a song, it's an easy way to go.

btw, I'm posting this on the board under chit chat.

[tavenger5]

Reply from Robert:

Well ... I do kind of understand , but it is a sad state when things like MIDI files that used to once be FREE ( for both download and just listening pleasure on a web page ) , and basically a hobby for alot of folks , is now a fee based item .
I realize that a few years ago , there was a big thing over CopyRight Laws reguarding the rights to MIDI files ... but ... I guess ... I am one of those culprits that does NOT believe if either a professional or hobbiest , decides to render HIS/HER version of a certain song , that someone else should have to pay monies for it ( with the exceptions of files wanted by pro's for monetary reasons ).
Oh well ... so much for "freebies" anymore ....
( kind of sounds like that rumour about the US government wanting to pass a law to charge for emails... another bucket of worms to swallow )

Thank you for clarifing my mis-understood "freebies".

[tavenger5]

My Response:

Cool, just so you understand where I'm coming from.

A lot of those people that used to make files for fun actually make them for pay now. The companies that sell files liscense files that they have produced and they get a cut of the sales.

And the dispute a few years ago was an issue over the actual professional sequencer companies had with sites distributing their 'copyrighted' files. Now it's copyright agencies seeking out the infringement of the actual songs from the copyright of the artist. There's a difference there that a lot of people don't catch. Either way both want $ from the free sites distributing the files.

(the us gov. could never charge for e-mail because they're not the ones providing the service to handle it. I always that that was a crock of ****! haha.. )

[Phredd]

I don't get it . . to me MIDI files are interpretations of someone's song . sure you are trying to mimic it . .but you are performing it yourself and you are giving the artist credit for writing it simply by titling it the same name as the song. Now if you are in the business of selling MIDI files, I guess I could understand that . .but I think it is insane.

The logic to me seems like in order to whistle a song, you should have permission to do that . or to sing along in the car. I don't see what the difference is with MIDI files but yet they have cracked down on them.

My 2 Cents.

P

[DarkSaiyaJin]

Well you get programs on TV like (not sure which country ur in) Popstars and Pop Idol, and aah can't remember the name, but they basically get random folk to sing to random songs. Isn't that the same as composinng midis?

[Pjrocker]

All I can say is, if I'm gonna pay for a midi, it better be good! And what is price is truly appropriate?

[BoShea]

I was really disappointed too when the MIDI files needed a fee. I just collected them as a hobby, and liked singing along to em, and you could spend hours. Now you have to spend pounds.

Lets just hope the fees dont rise, but surely if i played someones song on my keyboard, and gave it someone else, it shouldnt cost them, if I was releasing it in the hope it would get to number one maybe, but surely not

Shea!

[Dave_K]

looks like midi's are gonna die...... :(

mp3's are taking over

[tavenger5]

Most people that buy files are not just collecting them as a hobby.

If anything the price will go down as more competition is introduced into the market. Right now, if you take a look around, most prices are the same; around $7.50 (USD) per file. Depending on how many you buy the price per file drops and you even get some free ones.

[spike7]

oh man 7$? :( thats alittle too much for the number of music files i download =\

[20ishparents.co]

Thanks for the information. I was wondering why the shift.... Makes total sense now, not that I have alot of extra $$ but see where they are coming from.

[ClrwaterFL]

I don't like that midi files have to be paid for, but understand. It's just sad that music artists cannot use them to arrange songs. Just think if guitar tabs had to be paid for.

[potyruicosta]

Pay for midi's? I just like to download them so I can see how other people perceive the music that they are trying to sequence. I like hearing different versions cause it shows how creative people can get.

It might take longer but I would sequence the songs myself instead of paying for a midi to listen to!

[jrobertson]

on the "net" i keep hearing about midi this midi that and copyright,what about mp3's that are changed to "cd's" and sold on.
hitting the small men and leave the big boys alone
yeh!
(napster was the tip of the iceberg.)

[theARTiSAN]

I couldn't agree more...
Phredd hit the nail right on the head...
it will not be long before any of us WILL be whistling a tune in the car, singing in the shower, or just playing something on our own guitar (or whatever) on our own front porch (or wherever) -

Suddenly, and seemingly, out of nowhere, in swoop representatives from the RIAA, (and about a dozen other copywriting/artist or label associations/etc.) with their hands out (not to mention their flock of lawyers - with their hands out) wanting some compensation or throwing big threats around.
***note that I chose use words like "swoop" and "flock" because they seem to hold metaphoric similarities to vultures, or other carrion birds – which organizations like this clearly remind me of***

Quite sickening.

nothing but theartisan’s humble opinion…

[windrie]

I am not a good sequence person and going through the sequences I download I learn a lot eg. how to use basic system exclusive messages. However I can't figure how to send nrpm's etc.
My point is this we all have different reasons for download. Mine is to get better at sequencing.( levels etc). I am not rich and classes are not available in my part of the world. I intend posting some sequences very soon. And I have to say thanks to those of you out there for teaching me indirectly.:)

[Ronny]

While I'm not averse to downloading midis for free I do pay for some of them. I play in a two piece and if I was being totally honest I should be paying every artist whose song I play a fee. After all is said and done I'm making money out of other peoples hard work.

When I buy a midi I get a licence with it but that only allows me to play the file myself.

I don't mind paying because if I wrote a hundred songs and put them on this board only to find someone else was making £800 a month from me I wouldn't be too impressed.

Don't get me wrong I'm not saying I'm about to contact a lot of people and give money away but if all things were right I should.

I'm not preaching but at the end of the day breach of copyright is theft, pure and simple.:slap:

[Ralph'e']

Guys. Putting a tag on MIDIs is just another EXCUSE for companies to make money~!! The world is all about finding a whole in the market, and putting a PRICETAG on what people want!!

But.. if people don't encourage their business by BUYING their "priced MIDIs" then there is no more business for them to run! So.. I encourage you to rather search for the FREE ONES!

About the whole copyright business? You are all right! All scares! LOAD OF BULLOCKS! Just like the email issue!

[lostdave]

I think I have siad this before...but public performance of a cover song is handled differently... Over here (down under) the Venues are required to pay varying fees to APRA(australian performing and recording assoc) per annum based on the entertainment that they provide...For instance if they have a jukebox then they get a phonographic licence..if they have DJ's then it is a different licence and if the have live entertainment then it is another licence again. So the issues on artist royalties for MIODI files is a moot point as far as I am concerned.
Yes I am making money from performing someone elses songs...but they are still getting their royalties thru album sales, APRA and Public perfomance.

My 2.2cents worth

Dave

[The Keeper]

as with lostdave, i perform midifiles, and am registered with apra, the licencing commission. everytime i perform a song with a midifile, the writer of the song(not the midifile) gets 90 cents. If i play 'waterloo' from abba, the writers of that song get the royalty. If i do the song every gig all year, they get the 90c the number of times played. I also get a royalty of 90c everytime i play a song i wrote. However, i have to first create the midifile in order to be able to perform the song, mine or someone elses. I get paid by musos over here to create midifiles they can't find. I don't get paid for the file, but for my time to create it.
i think if midfile writers write files of a high enough quality, they should get something for their efforts. it all comes out at tax time anyway.
having said this, i have sent some samples of my midifiles to various companies, and am yet to receive a reply from any of them. I have been told my files are among the best out there. I put them on my midi web page where they can be accessed at no charge. all i do is ask lookers to send me an email if they like the file, and i send them the complete file no charge.(the files on the page are demos). the link is below, judge for yourself, then ask the question should programmers that spend a hell of a lot of time on midifiles get at least something for their efforts?
i hope no-one gets their back up at what i've said, i think files should be free, but the programmers should get something
---paradox---

http://home.austarnet.com.au/madcatz/Midi%20Files.htm

[Nyxan]

I also play in a duo and 99% of my files are sequenced by me mainly because I can put my own arrangement to the song. But another big factor for me anyway is that a lot of the songs we do can't be bought because no company has produced the midi file. So either I make the file myself or we don't play the song. In the places that I play people like to hear a wide variety of music an midi is the best way to do that without having 15 muso's in the band to cover those styles. I guess in a perfect world we would'nt be having this discussion but as we all know its not perfect. I just hope that eventually the big music companies of this world will realise that not everybody is tring to rip them off, after all isnt playing someone else's songs to the best of YOUR ability a sincere form of flattery. Sorry for the long discourse, I got carried away, my apologies:borg: