|
(The following is the FAQ for CD2.)
RMMGA CD Volume II FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
The information in this document is provided by multiple contributors.
The foundation of this FAQ was written by Jan Vail. Compiled/edited/HTML-ized
by musicaddict47 at yahoo dot com.
This is obviously an HTML version of the FAQ: (http://www.geocities.com/musicaddict47/rmmga/cd2faq.html)
-- this is a new URL as of 2004.
I used to maintain a plain-text version but I no longer have time to do
both.
If you volunteered to work on a section of the FAQ and have something
to contribute now, go for it.
Last update to the FAQ: 25 July 2001
News in a nutshell (current CD status):
CDs have been produced and distributed,
as of April 2001! If you would like a copy, please try posting to RMMGA
(Usenet: rec.music.makers.guitar.acoustic).
Please keep this in mind as you're reading through the FAQ.
Contributors to the FAQ
I attributed chunks of information to the appropriate info-provider.
Here's the key to the code names:
| [Bob] |
Bob Alman, head honcho for CD I |
| [Daniel] |
Daniel Nestlerode |
| [Harold] |
Harold Hedberg |
| [Jan] |
Jan Vail, the boss for CD II |
| [John] |
John Sorell |
| [Shirley] |
Shirley Worrall |
If you don't see an attribution to something, the reason is because I
(Jennifer) wrote it myself.
- Some basics about the CD project
1.1 - What is RMMGA CD II?
1.2 - Can anyone from RMMGA be on the CD?
1.3 - How many pieces can I submit?
1.4 - What do I need to do to be on the CD?
1.5 - When is the deadline?
1.6 - When can I start submitting music?
1.7 - What pieces have already been submitted? / Who's
aboard?
- Copyright issues
2.1 - What if I am doing music written by someone else?
2.2 - How is a mechanical license obtained?
2.3 - What if I am doing an arrangement of a "public
domain" work?
2.4 - How were the appropriate licenses handled for CD
I?
2.5 - What do I have to do in order to obtain a mechanical
license for a song I'm contributing?
- Submission formats
3.1 - What formats are acceptable for submissions?
3.2 - I want to digitize/record my song using my computer.
What file format should I use for my submission?
- Recording tips
4.1 - What are some recording-related resources on the
web?
4.2 - Are there any newsgroups that discuss recording
techniques, tips, help?
4.3 - How do I get rid of extraneous hiss if I'm recording
on tape?
- What if I get nervous? (or how many takes is
enough) (nothing yet)
- I'm done recording and am ready to submit!
6.1 - Where/How do I send in my submission(s)?
6.2 - What information do I write for the liner notes?
6.3 - How/Where do I send the liner notes?
(updated)
6.4 - Is there anything else I need to do?
- RMMGA CD Volume II - The final product
7.1 - How much is CD II? / Who & what music is on
it? / What do I get if I buy a set?
7.2 - How is the price determined? / What does the price
cover?
7.3 - How do I order a set (or multiple sets)?
7.4 - How do I pay for my order?
7.5 - How do I check if my order is correct?
[Note: If you click on an external link
from the FAQ, the web site will be opened in a separate browser window]
This is the second CD project to be put out by RMMGA (the Usenet newsgroup
Rec.Music.Makers.Guitar.Acoustic). The first is all sold out. At this
point we do not know how many submissions there will be, how many CD's
will be in the set, or what the price will be. It will be made up of
musical submissions by the members of the RMMGA newsgroup. [Jan]
Update: As of 27 October 2000, CD II will
be a set of 6 (yes, six!) CDs. For details on pricing, how to order,
etc., read section 7 of this FAQ.
If you want to learn more about RMMGA CD I, check out the RMMGA web
site, put together by Tim Wampler: http://www.rmmga.org/.
[Return to the table of
contents]
Yes. The only requirement to being on this CD is that it has to be
acoustic guitar based (after all this is an acoustic guitar newsgroup).
There can also be other instruments, and/or vocals. It can be an original
work or a cover of someone else's work. Even if you submitted a piece
or two for CD 1 you can be on this CD. [Jan]
If you are doing a cover, you will need to provide the required information
so that we can obtain the license for it (see section 2:
"Copyright issues").
[Return to the table of
contents]
Good question. I have been thinking that 2 would be enough. However,
if it seems important that you send in more, contact me (frie4@sonic.net)
and we can talk it over. [Jan]
[Return to the table of
contents]
- You need to get your work recorded, and then send it in. There are
many ways to record your piece. It can be recorded into a cassette deck,
a multi-track recorder, a Mini Disk recorder, a DAT recorder, into your
computer, or even a professional recording studio. Whatever way works
for you. [Jan]
Acceptable submission formats are discussed in section
3. If you have no experience recording or would like tips, don't
worry, that will come later in section 4.
- You need to sign up for the RMMGA CD mailing list to keep up with
what's going on with the CD... all RMMGA CD news, all the time!
(Actually, the activity level of the list varies quite a bit.) Just
go to Yahoo Groups (formerly eGroups) (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rmmga_cd)
and subscribe to the "rmmga_cd" list. You can choose whether
you want individual messages or a digest. Check out the archives! Don't
worry, it's all free (but you do have to register if you haven't already).
[Note: If you hear/read about references to Onelist or eGroups (e.g.
"subscribe to the rmmga_cd list on Onelist.com or eGroups.com"),
don't worry about this. Explanation: the RMMGA CD list was originally
created using Onelist but the service later merged with eGroups, and
then Yahoo bought eGroups.]
- When you've decided on what song(s) you're doing, let Jan know through
the Yahoo Groups list. Necessary info: how many songs you're doing,
titles, songwriter, and estimated time lengths.
- When you're done recording/mixing/whatever, you'll need to send in
your submission and some liner notes (covered in detail in section
6) and the required copyright information, if necessary (covered
in detail in section 2).
[Return to the table of
contents]
It's come and gone, but for reference's sake: the deadline originally
was set for July 1, 2000, but Jan extended it until July 15, 2000.
Again, the window for RMMGA CD II submissions has closed.
If you're just now hearing about CD II (i.e. you're getting into this
project rather late) and would like to contribute to a future RMMGA
recording project, stay tuned to the newsgroup. You may be wondering,
'What about RMMGA CD Volume III?' It'll probably happen, but not right
away. You can always record now and submit later! That way you can ensure
an early spot on the track list for the next CD.
[Return to the table of
contents]
The CDs have already been mastered. A track listing of the six CDs
that comprise RMMGA CD Volume II are available courtesy Tim Wampler
at (http://www.rmmga.org/CDII/cdii_list_artist.htm).
[Return to the table of
contents]
In order to include material which is copyright controlled, a mechanical
license must be obtained. If the work which is desired to be
included has been previously recorded (by the composer or by someone
else), the publisher/composer/copyright owner is mandated by law to
grant the license. "Standard" licensing fees are set by statute. In
1999 these fees were, as I recall, 7.1 cents per copy. Rates have gone
up for 2000 to, I believe 7.5 cents. Probably, you won't be able to
obtain a license for less than 500 copies (which is what we did for
CD I). [Harold]
To find out what you need to do to help obtain a mechanical license,
read section 2.5.
[Return to the table of
contents]
===
A license can be obtained directly from the publisher/composer/copyright
owner under any terms which you can negotiate. Otherwise, for many many
works, a license can be obtained from "The Harry Fox Agency" (http://www.nmpa.org/hfa/mechanical.html).
Publishers and record companies use Harry Fox as sort of a clearance
house to funnel licenses and cash back and forth between license grantors
and license grantees.
The only information required to apply for a license is the name of
the work, the name of the composer, the name of the publisher and information
about the recording (who and how long). Most music of interest will
be listed in either the BMI (http://repertoire.bmi.com/)
or ASCAP (http://www.ascap.com/ace/ACE.html)
on-line data bases where publisher information can be ferreted out.
[Harold]
===
If you're doing a cover song for RMMGA CD II, you do not
have to send in the forms to obtain the licensing yourself. See section
2.5 for more on this.
If you want to find out more about licensing in general and how The
Harry Fox Agency and BMI and ASCAP fit in, Harry Fox has a helpful FAQ
(http://www.nmpa.org/hfa/hfafaq.html).
[Return to the table of
contents]
===
A copyright for an arrangement cannot (as I understand it) be obtained
for a work which is not in the public domain. This means, for example,
that Charles and Donna cannot copyright their stirring arrangement of
"Blowin' in the Wind." A copyright of an arrangement of a
public domain tune, though, can be copyrighted and if a copyrighted
arrangement of a public domain tune is used, a mechanical license is
technically required--the statutory rate for an arrangement is 20% of
that for an original work, I have been told. Fortunately, we didn't
have any of these for CD I; I'm not sure how to obtain such a license.
Exactly what constitutes an arrangement is not real clear. It can't
be the melody (obviously) and you can't copyright a chord progression
(thank god). You also can't use the arrangement path to copyright control
something which has previously been in the public domain (though it
has been suggested that A.P. Carter sure did try).
I think that the solution to the whole arrangement thing is that any
public domain tunes that are included should have "original"
arrangements. [Harold]
===
Here's something more from Harold -- this was in answer to a question
from John BJ, who wanted to know if his performance of "Jesu, Joy of
Man's Desiring" (public domain, but based on a Leo Kottke arrangement)
was a copyright issue:
It seems that if you created your adaptation directly from Kottke's
arrangement then we need to consider your performance as a use of his
arrangement and secure a proper license from his publisher. I think
that is the proper thing to do. My understanding is that Harry Fox doesn't
handle arrangement licensing, but the good news is that Kottke's publisher
is Bug Music and that Bug appears to be quite easy to deal with. [Harold]
[Return to the table of
contents]
On CD I, some people secured permission from the writer/publisher to
include copyrighted works. These we didn't worry about other then an
annotation in the liner notes indicating who composed the work and the
fact that it was used by permission. For all the other cover tunes (about
9, as I recall), I secured the license from Harry Fox. Worked well.
[Harold]
[Return to the table of
contents]
Harold Hedberg has generously volunteered to take charge of the copyright
licensing again for CD II. So if you are contributing some version of
a copyrighted song (not copyrighted by yourself), then Harold says:
- "If the performer has personal contact with the composer/publisher
and wants to get individual permission to include a tune, that's fine."
- "For all others, I will fill out the forms and do the leg work
so long as I know the tune details (copyright owner, title, publisher)."
The only information required to apply for a license is: the name
of the work, the name of the composer, the
name of the publisher and information about
the recording (who and how long). Most music of interest will
be listed in either the BMI (http://repertoire.bmi.com/)
or ASCAP (http://www.ascap.com/ace/ACE.html)
on-line data bases where publisher information can be ferreted out.
[Harold]
As with CD I (for the most part), the licensing fees for CD II will
be added to the overall cost of the CD. So unless you want to take care
of the fees yourself (in which case you should make that clear), you
don't have to worry about them.
When you have finished recording your song(s) for CD II, be sure to
e-mail the necessary information to Harold (hedberg@my-deja.com)
so that he can take care of the licensing for you. Write "RMMGA
CD licensing info" or something of that nature in the subject header.
[Return to the table of
contents]
Your work can be on tape, CD, MiniDisk, DAT, or Zip disk. I do not
have a SuperDisk drive, but will find one if that is needed. At least
one piece was submitted in MP3 format for the last CD. That is also
an option. [Jan]
I can handle any file format you can send it in (at least so far).
WAV and AIFF are the most common, but there is also Sound Designer II,
and QuickTime. I also have a program called Shorten or .shn that will
do some compression of sound files without loss of information. If your
file is too big to fit on a Zip or SuperDisk, then this program might
help. It is also cross-platform so it can be used on a Mac or a PC or
even Linux. The URL for the Mac and Linux versions is http://www.hornig.net/shorten.html;
for the PC it is http://www.softsound.com.
I have had very good results with it. I can also uncompress MP3 files.
[Jan]
[Return to the table of
contents]
4.1 - What are some recording-related resources on
the web?
Even if you're not a beginner, you might find something helpful in
these links. Also see section 4.2.
- HomeRecording.com: Learn how to record and mix your
own music tapes, CDs, MP3s... (http://www.homerecording.com/)
Lots of helpful info including tutorials and FAQs; recording
and mixing tips, reviews.
- ProRec: Pro and Home Recording Resources on the Internet
(http://www.prorec.com/)
A web magazine covering industry news, product reviews,
and feature articles.
- Home Recording Quarterly (http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/2576/hrqintro.html)
It's apparently not being updated anymore, but this
page has a bunch of good tips that cover a broad range of topics. Especially
helpful for people on a budget. Also has 4-track tips.
- The Recording FAQ (http://www.stack.nl/~erwint/RecordingFAQ.html)
If you haven't already checked this
out, please do! This frequently updated index
of recording-related links by Erwin Timmerman is posted regularly to
the newsgroups rec.audio.pro and alt.music.4-track. It covers a great
range of recording topics: gear (including a lot on microphones), tips
for beginners, tips for non-beginners, PC recording and more.
[Return to the table of
contents]
4.2 - Are there any newsgroups that discuss recording
techniques, tips, help?
- alt.music.4-track. It's pretty receptive to questions from
complete beginners, so don't be nervous. It's also more geared for budget
or non-professional recordists and musicians. Not only for those who
have 4-track cassette machines, either, but also multi-tracking in general.
The FAQ for alt.music.4-track is at http://www.homerecording.com/4trackfaq.html.
- rec.audio.pro. Posts can get pretty technical, since the
newsgroup seems to be populated by people familiar with recording. There
are also frequent threads helpful for the home or budget user. The activity
level is extremely high. The FAQ for rec.audio.pro is at http://recordist.com/rap-faq/current.
4.3 - How do I get rid of extraneous hiss if I'm recording
on tape?
It's a good idea, once having recorded onto tape, to run the tape into
the PC (via a simple lead) and save the track as a .wav file in one
of several available shareware music editing programmes. It's then possible
to use the programme to remove quite a lot of tape hiss. (I used the
demo version of Cool Edit [http://www.syntrillium.com/cooledit/],
which cost nothing.) [Shirley]
[Return to the table of
contents]
Section 5: What if I get nervous? (or how many takes
is enough)
[Return to the table of
contents]
Section 6: I'm done recording and am ready to submit!
All submissions should be sent to:
BOB ALMAN
4325 DEER TRAIL RD
SANTA ROSA CA 95404
USA
(Thanks Bob!)
As for what shipping method to use:
Most people just send them in the mail. This works just fine for me
and is pretty cheap too. [Bob]
[Return to the table of
contents]
6.2 - What information do I write
for the liner notes?
Jan posted this list: (thanks Peter)
- Make and model of guitar(s) used
- What strings were used
- What tuning(s) were used
- What transducers or microphones were used
- What preamps, DI boxes, etc. were used
- What recording device was used
- What software was used
- Why was that piece picked?
- Something about you
- Any credits you might have
- Whatever you want us to know
Daniel Nestlerode, who is taking care of the initial phrase of compiling
everyone's notes, has created a template to format them:
|
[Name
& Song Title]
- Technical
Info:
- - Guitar:
make, model & style (if style is not readily apparent in
the make or model names)
- Strings: make & gauge (if you can remember)
- Sonic capture devices: microphones, pickups, etc.
- Sonic recording devices
- Tuning used (if other than standard)
-
- Esoteric
Stuff:
- - What
inspired you to choose (or write and choose) this song
- Is there a story behind it? (check my [Daniel's] liner notes
on CD I for an example of this)
- Lyrics (if you like)
- URL (if available)
|
Anything you e-mail me regarding the technical and artistic composition
of your cut(s) will be edited into this format and transferred to the
person or persons who will be handling the CD's artwork. [Daniel]
For CD I, liner notes were made available with the CD packaging. A
"full" version of them was posted on Tim Wampler's site as
well. Visit http://www.rmmga.org/CD1/rmmga_linernotes.htm
to see it as well as the notes that actually accompanied the CD, and
to see the example that Daniel mentioned.
[Return to the table of
contents]
6.3 - How/Where do I send the liner
notes?
E-mail your notes (preferably in the body of your e-mail message or
as a plain text file) to me.
Write "RMMGA CD liner notes" or something of that nature in
the subject heading. (In case you're wondering, Daniel compiled the
notes and has passed the editing job over to me for Phase Two of putting
this beast to bed.)
6.4 - Is there anything else I need
to do?
If you contributed a cover song and/or used someone else's arrangement,
be sure to send the appropriate info to Harold Hedberg so that he can
take care of the licenses (see all the details, including Harold's e-mail
address, in section 2).
[Return to the table of
contents]
Section 7: RMMGA CD II - The final product
7.1 - How much is CD II? / Who &
what music is on it? / What do I get if I buy a set?
RMMGA CD Volume II will be a 6-CD set
and is expected to sell for around $15.00 (U.S.) per set, including
postage and handling for U.S. delivery. [Editor's note: That's right!
You get six CDs for 15 bucks!] Delivery outside the U.S., as with the
last project, will be handled on an individual basis. This price is
predicated on a minimum pressing of 500 sets. [John]
Each set will also include liner notes and cover art. A track list
of all the music and performers on the 6-CD set, as well as images of
the cover art, are available from the rmmga.org site (http://www.rmmga.org/CDII/cdii_list_artist.htm).
[Return to the table of
contents]
7.2 - How is the price determined?
/ What does the price cover?
The RMMGA CD Volume II sets are priced to cover the costs of production
(CD duplication/pressing, printing, distribution/shipping and music
licensing fees).
The project is being funded by Paul Leach. In consideration for his
fronting the money, one dollar for each CD set has been included in
the estimated cost of production and distribution. At the end of the
project, all leftover funds will be donated to the "In Harmony"
organization. For an understanding of the value this organization provides
to society, please visit its web site (http://www.inharmony.org/).
Full accounting details will be provided to RMMGA at the end of the
project. [John]
[Return to
the table of contents]
Place your advance order by visiting the RMMGA web site (http://www.rmmga.org/)
and then clicking on the RMMGA CD II "Order Page" button.
[John]
You can also find a direct link to the order page here: http://www.rmmga.org/CDII/order_form.htm.
[Return to the table of
contents]
Payment instructions will be announced after the CDs have been pressed.
Watch for these announcements on RMMGA as well as on this FAQ.
A list of all pre-orders is available at: http://www.rmmga.org/CDII/rmmgacd_orders.htm.
John Sorell, the order-taking master, also posts updates of the list
on RMMGA (look for "***** UPDATE: RMMGA CD2 ORDER LIST *****"
or something similar in the subject heading).
[Return to the table of
contents]
|