Private Recordings of Live Gigs
  • MusicGerbilMusicGerbil

    There has been murmuring that they (venues & concert promoters) would be clamping down on any recording during gigs.

    This has (obviously) divided punters and artists alike.  I, for one, would be glad to have a better view of the artists...

    Wondering how you guys feel about this.  Would it be considered a copyright infringement to post these (I know that Prince has ridiculous control over his appearances)?

    Thanks.

    http://auralfood.blogspot.com/

     

  • TimTim
    " I, for one, would be glad to have a better view of the artists..." << How would this affect your view?

    Whether you get into trouble for copyright infringement will basically depend on the band/management/label - but I for one am never keen on bands clamping down on this stuff. I have always thought that bands should just record what comes off the mixing desk at gigs and then offer that recording for cheap mp3 downloads after the show - there are some companies that offer CDs of just such recordings at the end of shows produced on demand.

    The sound quality off the desk would be so superior to a mic in the crowd that there would be little competition and any money to be made there would really go to the band. If people want to record the show though I don't see why they shouldn't - and if the band's recordings are better, any money going to others would be negligible.
  • squashedsquashed
    I for one would sell concert recording right after concert for $1, directly downloaded into your cellphone.

    a) it's pure profit, easy money.

    b) it's $1, I think everybody would rather pay than standing with cellphone looking like a dork trying to record somebody's head half the time.

    c) seriously. $1-$1.50 with commemorative trading card? It's down economy. ...

    Band should exploit the fact that everybody is walking around with high power portable computer. (imagine after concert tweet, complete with fan + band photo showing up...) Instant word of mouth.
  • adam_beggarsadam_beggars
    The sound quality off the desk would be so superior to a mic in the crowd that there would be little competition and any money to be made there would really go to the band. 


    not really true.  you usually get a pretty crappy mix off that (vox too high, really crappy bass tones).  i think most bands would want a proper mix from a full split off the desk.

    I for one would sell concert recording right after concert for $1, directly downloaded into your cellphone.
    squashed said:

    a) it's pure profit, easy money.

    what about publishing (in most cases, unless you're talking about local band night a McClearys)?  $0.09 a track.  you'd lose money.
    squashed said:

    b) it's $1, I think everybody would rather pay than standing with cellphone looking like a dork trying to record somebody's head half the time.

    but is that why folks record stuff.... to have a recording?  or are they creating a personal document for later?   therefore, what would they be paying $1 for?  it's doesn't fulfill the latter.

    (not being rhetorical, i actually don't know)
    squashed said:


    c) seriously. $1-$1.50 with commemorative trading card? It's down economy. ...

    Band should exploit the fact that everybody is walking around with high power portable computer. (imagine after concert tweet, complete with fan + band photo showing up...) Instant word of mouth.

    people talk a lot about creating word of mouth.  but doesn't just playing a really good show do everything you need?  why do bands/fans/venues/labels have to create all this ephemera for consumption?  

    a band has spent months writing.  then more months recording to get the song sounding just as they want.  and then all this stuff pushes folks to inferior stuff, while the band is touring to promote the thing they've worked really hard to create.

    (this is what i hear verbatim from bands all the time)
  • squashedsquashed
    Live recording doesn't have long leg. People have it on their Harddrive for fun/little memory. It is not high grade item for multiple listening. (how many live recording album ever make it in top chart in the entire music history?)

    So this is more about little digital momento. You know, kinda like Polaroid pictures, fun to share between friends and probably fade away after 3-4 months. It is not meant to be  a Stieglitz at metropolitan museum.

    I will be surprised if it ever goes further than cassette bootleg in the old days. It is more about fans informing each other/sharing fun memory rather than actual replacement of studio recording, let alone actual live performance. Sound depth, live performance atmosphere, the magic of show are only partially captured with this quick and dirty live recording.

    Here is what I will do, if I am a band manager.  (have a camera record it, after show clean it up a little, cut and make it tighter. then insert "greeting, message to fan, few back stage clips." It doesn't even have to be entire concert, but it has to capture the very event)  Make the file small enough. 20-30 minutes clip. (nobody has time watching 2 hrs file - full length concert on telephone. gimme a break.)

    Then sell it in gift stand, download it via wifi. Sell it along with small items. (card, shirt, signed item, single LP, etc) 

    It's a friggin down economy, nobody has money, specially indie music fans. Little video editing kung-fu for extra cash?  For a small band $50-80 bucks extra, pure cash, a show goes a long way.

    (but than again, things has been so hostile when it comes to fans and digital files, probably nobody will even touch this.)

    and fuck the publishing fee. I ain't publishing jack. I am sending fan a digital message with few extra video clips attached. Deal with it lawyers.
  • TimTim
    @Adam - I know bands would prefer a proper mix from a full split off the desk as that would sound far better again, but then you would have to pay someone to mix it down. I was thinking this would be a very cheap no frills recording (maybe a full split cloud be recorded and some software auto-mixdown? Dunno).

    I was trying to think of a way to do this as cheaply and easily as possible so that they don't lose money and hopefully may make a little. How much are publishing fees on something like this? If it could be done by simply plugging in a laptop and it all happening (mixdown, encoding, uploading, sales page) automagically at the press of a button then it could be useful. It would not be on a par with a true live recording - I get that - but it would be worth more that then effort of standing in the crowd trying to tape the thing, no? Sell it for the price of a pint and t is worth it (and yes that means £4/5 for some shows).

    If a tech startup did this to scale, they would only need to take $0.10 per sale or something once it is all automated. The you have the Visa/Mastercard fee. But on top of that what other costs would be hitting you?

    I never thought this would be a massive money spinner, but it all adds up and even if this turns out an extra £20 per show that is nothing to be sneezed at for a lot of small bands.
  • adam_beggarsadam_beggars
    How much are publishing fees on something like this?
    $0.09 per track.  not something to fuss over if you don't have a publishing or admin deal, but def something most somewhat bigger artists (even ones playing Scala/Bowery Ballroom) would have to deal with.
    If a tech startup did this to scale, they would only need to take $0.10 per sale or something once it is all automated. The you have the Visa/Mastercard fee. But on top of that what other costs would be hitting you?
    there was a company here doing it... but it never took off.  LiveNation (here in the US) is doing it now and will be offering it bundled with tickets.  still up to the artist to approve the mix, so it takes a bit of time.

    I never thought this would be a massive money spinner, but it all adds up and even if this turns out an extra £20 per show that is nothing to be sneezed at for a lot of small bands.

    i think the fact that LiveNation is heavily investing in this right now means there is a market for it (at least on paper).   though, they've failed many times before.

    but i think you have to do it right.  if you look at the iTunes Festival going on in London right now.  they are doing immediate video of the performances and it's pretty great.  high quality and worth folks $ (even though they make it free via an app). 



  • anthony@hypemanthony@hypem
    "and fuck the publishing fee. I ain't publishing jack. I am sending fan a digital message with few extra video clips attached. Deal with it lawyers."

    lol
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