Copyright is a touchy subject. It’s important for artists to be able to legally protect their work, but it also isn’t clear how much peer-to-peer file sharing actually damages artist revenue. There have been anecdotal reports that increased file sharing between fans has lead to increased concert attendance, and many artists skip the peer-to-peer networks and release entire albums in a “pay what you want” format. For example, In Rainbows by Radiohead was released in this manner in 2007.
Whether you think the United States copyright laws are fine as-is, or that they need to be strengthened or culled, this article discusses some of the more recent updates with the 2007 case against Jammie Thomas, who is charged with copyright infringement by uploading 24 songs to a peer-to-peer network. You can read the article here: http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/permalink/2013/20130211government
Archives for February 2013
Technical Details Of Impedance
Just knowing what to do when isn’t enough for some of us. We want to know why the rules of thumb exist, and what we can do to figure out the solution to new problems. In the case of high and low impedance devices, the details of why can get pretty technical. By understanding them, you can make better informed decisions about gear. For example, do you need an active distribution amplifier with your current setup, or is passively splitting the signal okay?
You can read the full article here: http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/understanding_high_and_low_impedance_signals/P3/
Mic Placement And Accidental Phase Cancellation
When two mics pick up the same signal at similar levels and feed it to the same channel, phase cancellation can occur. This causes the signal to sound hollow, or just not-quite-right. This can be avoided in several ways, but one of the easiest is to follow the 3:1 rule. The distance from one mic to the next should be three times the distance of each mic to the signal source. More is better, but a 3:1 ratio is just about the bare minimum to avoid the phase cancellation effect.
You can read more here: Pro Sound Web post on mic techniques
Good Writing Is Rewriting
Even the greatest recordings of the best musicians can benefit from editing. Removing all of the imperfections from a song may ruin the vibe, but some of the more distracting noise can be cut out. By editing your tracks, you will have a much better medium to work with when it comes time to start mixing.
You can read more here: http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/in_the_studio_editing_the_unsung_hero/P2/
Overdubbing With Goals In Mind
Overdubbing can add subtle nuance to a track, or it can turn a single vocalist into a thick, rich harmony. When setting out to record tracks for overdubbing, try to have some specific goals in mind for the session. This goal-oriented approach helps everyone working on the track stay focused and motivated. It can also help to improve the overall quality of your recordings.
You can read more tips about overdubbing sessions here: http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/in_the_studio_the_overdub_checklist/