Legalities of performing REMIXES LIVE??

[cofane]

It would be cool to perform a remix in one of my gigs. I'm not much of remixer up to this point. However, I'd like to try it. My 2 questions are these:

1) Where can I legally obtain the tracks to remix a song?
2) Once I create a remix can I perform it live at gigs?

Thanks for the help!

[contakt321]

1. The artist. The label. The web if they have been released.
2. Yes.

[cofane]

1. The artist. The label. The web if they have been released.
2. Yes.

Thanks! If they've been released on the web are they fair game for remixing and performing?? How can I know if it's legit?

Also, when you say "the web" are you referring to any specific sites where legal remix stems are available??

thanks again!

[funky shit]

dont even sweat it.

just dont go and release a remix without persmission etc.

[cofane]

Cool. What are some sites on the web where I can start downloading tracks for remixing?

[funky shit]

http://www.remixcomps.com/

http://www.remixcomps.com/

http://radioheadremix.com/

also NIN website

torrents etc

beatport do a lot of parts, but you must pay, but they are easily aquired

[cofane]

You've been more than helpful!!! Thank you.

My LAST question for you is: If I download tracks to remix from ANY of the websites you've mentioned, can I LEGALLY remix, perform and create youtube/myspace content with them? Can I even SELL said remixes legally?

[savyurrecords]

You got to the most pertinent question. Can I sell the remixes?

In almost all cases, No, you may not sell them. However, performing them live is a gray area. Lots of DJ's are essentially performing remixes live anyway by layering songs/loops on top of each other so who really is keeping track of those?

Think of it this way. If you are not interfering with the revenue stream of the artist you are remixing then no one has any financial motivation to stop you.

So in summary , feel free to remix all you want. Just don't charge for it....

However, you could ask for a voluntary donation in order to support your efforts. Sort of like Girl Talk...

Rich

[funky shit]

You've been more than helpful!!! Thank you.

My LAST question for you is: If I download tracks to remix from ANY of the websites you've mentioned, can I LEGALLY remix, perform and create youtube/myspace content with them? Can I even SELL said remixes legally?

youtube, soundcloud etc yeah.
sell - no chance unless you get signed permission from the artist/label

[leedsquietman]

CC Mixter

http://ccmixter.org/

[cofane]

You've been more than helpful!!! Thank you.

My LAST question for you is: If I download tracks to remix from ANY of the websites you've mentioned, can I LEGALLY remix, perform and create youtube/myspace content with them? Can I even SELL said remixes legally?

youtube, soundcloud etc yeah.
sell - no chance unless you get signed permission from the artist/label

Awesome! So selling the remix is not an option but uploading to my websites is not a big deal. Gotcha!

My specific goal is to remix a well-known 80's song, preferably "shout" by Tears for Fears. Is this something that is legally and likely conceivable? How could I find stems for such a song (or even the acapella)?

[Johnisfaster]

Don't get legal advice from a public forum. You may as well be asking the dude at taco bell.

[Ben_Binary]

Don't get legal advice from a public forum. You may as well be asking the dude at taco bell.

+1 ...

I am doing my masters of Intellectual Property Law and I wouldnt give advice about that online.
Anybody who does know what they are doing on here will know its not worth the risk.

The guy in taco bell could be more appropriate to talk to as his reality is probably a lot more entrenched in the practical side of life than an academic or IP attorney.

In theory > There is no difference between practice and theory > But in practice there is.

[geekbeats]

If I worked at Taco Bell, I would tell you...

Do whatever you want, with whatever you want, but don't try to sell them.

It's just more exposure for you!


Perfect example:

The Grey Album

And you see where it got him

It's why hip-hop is so crappy now... everyone trying to prove that it was their snare drum used on that track.
Your honor, that's CLEARLY my son's finger snapping in the background of that song.

[Hidden Driveways]

My specific goal is to remix a well-known 80's song, preferably "shout" by Tears for Fears. Is this something that is legally and likely conceivable? How could I find stems for such a song (or even the acapella)?

I did an unautorized remix of a well-known 80's song and put it on Soundcloud and my blog as a free download. I was a little worried about the legalities, namely becuase I knew full well what I was doing was totally illegal. So I tracked down the band online via the forum on their website and asked them if they would be upset. Turned out in my case the band was totally cool with it. Here's the track:

http://soundcloud.com/hidden-driveways/ ... mix-bpm110

As far as getting a multi-track version of the song to remix, don't let that stop you if you cant find it. I did my remix with just the song from a vinyl record. Not having the stems forces you to be more creative.