pretty clear explainer. A video with added examples and info on publishing and public domain and fair use and using unlicensed/CC material would be a hit.

Very clear and concise knowledge, thanks a lot for sharing.

Great info..I did 2 bootleg remixes of 2 well known singers and wasnt sure if I could put it up on youtube... thanks for clearing that up..

Thanks, you answered the question I had and 3 more I didn't know I had. You get a like sir.

Why does NO ONE discusses the fact that each and every one dj / producer who struggles to get attention to his/her music, sends numerous emails without A SINGLE reply. I mean…I want go the legal way but no one even replies. Record labels hide their emails amazingly so that no one can have access to them.

@Randuski

5 ай бұрын

yea. cause they want you to leave them alone haha

@davidvanweeghel8194

5 ай бұрын

​@@Randuski😂

@DjJasminOfficial

5 ай бұрын

@@Randuskiyou should do stand up comedy , hilarious !

@Randuski

4 ай бұрын

@@DjJasminOfficial i mean that’s just the reality haha if i managed to get famous, i would immediately shut my emails down haha i’d be far to busy to entertain every request.

@Lyfe8k

4 ай бұрын

That’s because you need an entertainment lawyer.

This is what I was looking for! Thanks!

This is what I was looking for!! Thanks Sam!!

@samsmyers

2 жыл бұрын

Happy to help!

Great explanation thank you sam🙌🏻

Thanks dude! For whatever reason, I was under the assumption that a cover had to use the same ensemble (similar group of instruments used in the original) to be considered a cover and a remix meant, primarily, a change in that ensemble. I have covers, not remixes... this is great. 👍

Hey! Subbed to you long ago and good to see the count saying 10k 🔥

@samsmyers

2 жыл бұрын

yes! just hit it! thank you!

Hi Sam. Great video. I noticed a lot of EDM remixes around on KZread from many indie producers. Those are all bootleg remixes? I doubt they got an confirmation from Alesso, late Avicii or someone on that level :D thanks!

Thanks, Sam! This helped a lot!

@samsmyers

2 жыл бұрын

No problem!

This is great, thank you.

I like this kinda content! so informative. 👍

@samsmyers

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed!

Great details!!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Thank you for this video!!

Hello there! Hope you enjoyed the video! If you did please consider subscribing! 📀Follow my Deep House Playlist 👉spoti.fi/3FtVF13 If you would like to support my music, please consider following me on Spotify! found.ee/SamSpotify

Great video - Thanks

Thanks for this info! I learned a lot! Do you know how this works for samples from movies or tv-series (speech not music)?

Really interesting and informative! You mentioned that the lyrics and melody have to stay the same for covers- so is this the same for instrumental covers of songs?

@FeonaLeeJones

Жыл бұрын

i believe if you change lyrics it becomes a derivative work

Thank you! Very informative video. A question. 3:25 When releasing a cover song, the melody HAVE to stay the same? This one i dont get. Is that 100%? So if i make a cover, and, lets say, change the song from a Major chord song to a Minor chord song... The melody obviously will change. How does that relate to everything? Will i get in trouble? :) Is "the melody have to stay the same" a statement more in broad strokes?

i needed this !!!

@samsmyers

2 жыл бұрын

yessirr 😊

Thank you Sam for the video . If I sampled the entire original Acappella and maintained the same melody but re-created with synthetizers and drum machines that gives me the proper sound I want , how can I call it ? Remix or cover ? Thank you in advance & hooray 4 music!

Hey Sam, thank you so much, I really enjoyed this. Will you tell me about KZread though? Do I need a licence to upload a cover *video* to youtube (mp3 + video performance)

Hi Sam! Awesome and informative video! Question: I wrote a song and used the instrumental of a previously released, well-known song. Is this considered a remix or is this considered using a sample? Also, I did a cover but the producer included a vocal stem of the original recording and a sample from the original recording and built a composition around it. What type of clearance would we seek for that recording? Thx Sam!

@FeonaLeeJones

Жыл бұрын

sounds like a derivative work for the 2nd question and yeah you would have to get permissions in the form of a license

Very informative video. . Q: If I do an interpolation of a song do I still need to get copyrights/mechanical license or permission from the original artist/ publisher? Thanks

Thank you. Just. Thank you.

Good explanation man

Great video! Thanks for sharing. Two quick questions: 1. How do you find out if you actually would need to credit the original composer of a melody and 2. What if you have no way of getting a hold of them/have tried contacting the developer they work for and haven't gotten a response?

@RobandSijay

11 ай бұрын

some don't want to be reached for the hope of you using the sample anyway AND it becoming a hit so they can collect later in court. I personally have an ear for "that sounds just like this other song" will be 99% right, if I could study law just for the music recording side lol...i'll check the credits and see the artist has all writing and producing credit, indicating to me that they are flying under the radar at the moment because they haven't made buzz or radio play or media attention to be on talkshows performing the song. If you're just getting streams but nothing on airwaves to make noise where the owner has to pay attention then you are good (not legally but no ones coming after you for 6 cents for a song only a few thousand people have heard)

Hey thanks for an informative video. We have made a new instrumental that is not similar at all compared the original (and no samples) and a independent singer singing the original lyrics. Is this a cover, remix or something else?

Thanks for the informative video. If you recreate a song using no samples or stems from the original recording or any other recording and changed the style/genre of the song, would that be considered a cover? Thanks

Good info thank you.

Thanks for the video! So, let's say I recreate a popular song from scratch, but transforming it into a diferent style like EDM, but keeping the exact same melodies, and not using any stems from the original, does it consider a cover or a remix?

Great video. Does anyone know which distributors support uploading a derivative cover? (Assuming the original artists grants a license).

Thanks for the video! If I downloaded an acapella of a copyrighted song and within my DAW I transposed the vocals up or down a bit and possibly used a formant (for use in a house track I am making), do I still need to get legal clearance for that? And will I be able to use that track in a commercial advertisement for a start-up company? Thank you!

Great video! Was curious if you’d have an answer for me here: i did a mashup of two songs that went viral. The community wants it uploaded to Spotify now. No sampling- all recorded by myself and was mixed by my producer. When I went to upload, ofc I ran into the issue that this song uses two songs lyrics together into one song. I’m assuming I have to reach out to the artists of both songs to get permission to get this mashup on streaming, but was just looking to confirm!

Hey Sam! Love this simple yet informative video. Let’s say if I record myself singing a lullaby like Row Your Boat, and I produce a track based on that recording, will I be allowed to release that commercially?

@samsmyers

2 жыл бұрын

I believe that song is public domain, which means that no one has the ownership rights, so you could release that commericially

@diego4808

8 ай бұрын

Hey to kind of piggyback on the question, what if I built a remix/song around a chopped vocal line, and then rerecorded that chopped vocal line myself? For example I'm interested in doing that for the song, Time Is Running Out, by Muse. Original Instrumentation.@@samsmyers

@robinlacaden4438

8 ай бұрын

​@@diego4808I think the answer is in the video which falls under cover songs but Im not sure

Hey great video, if I added a verse to a song, using the instrumental and acapella that I made and want to put it on streaming platforms, what would this be called and how do I go about being able to legally release it? So its Artist ft. (me).

Hey Sam, I have a quick question. I'm in the process of creating an original song and I was thinking of incorporating a verse from an artist like Frank Ocean as a remix idea. My intention is not to make any money off of it, it's just for fun and maybe to improve the SEO of the original song. I would also be uploading it to KZread and SoundCloud. My question is, is there a significant difference between what I want to do and an artist covering a famous instrumental? because I see a ton of channels using beats I'm sure they didn't clear.... appreciate any advice thanks so much.

Hello! thanks for al the info. I have a question, what happens if I have a cover but it is a mashup? I mean i recorded myself a song that contains two or more other songs? Does distrokid have any kind of feature for this? Will it charge me 1 dollar per song used? Thanks!

GREAT INFORMATION LETS MAKE MONEY WITH COVERS 😁😁😁

Question I think what I would partly call a remix I added on to the original beat/instrumental with addition to some samples from the original who exactly do I contact to use both or was I not getting what was mentioned above?

Great video! Im making a cover song, and i use GarageBand, and i threw some free samples *from garageband* on the cover track. Is that.. legal?

Hi, thank you so much for the info, i have used audio from interviews on KZread to make some tracks/songs. Do i need a permission?

Hey Sam, I love the video, it’s very simple and informative, but I have a rather small question. If I took the music from a foreign record and turn them into English songs, would it still be considered a cover or is it a remix?

@samsmyers

2 жыл бұрын

I believe you would have to get permission from the original artist if you wanted to put it on Spotify.

@nothingme

2 жыл бұрын

@@samsmyers What cover art creator means? On tuncore Can i upload covers for famous music or what?

I've seen a bootleg posted on KZread and in the license field there was a lot of them. Are these licenses for the artists or I need to obtain them?

For this following scenario: The vocal track is removed from a given song, and the remaining instrumental track is remixed with a totally new vocal melody, also vocalized with different language and different lyrics? What's the copyright situation, as between a cover song and a remix? Or? Thanks for advice in advance.

Thanks for the info. If you make a bootleg as a free download, do you have to call it bootleg or can it be (… Remix)?

Which video covers clearing mash-up songs as I have not been able to find anyone or any video to discuss how to clear this these types of songs.

@samsmyers , first of all you're a beast . your content is so good. secondly.... i didnt know you couldnt alter a cover. didnt know you have to keep same melody and lyrics. so what about, could you hypothetically cover a song as it is. set it up with correct royalties etc . put this under one name. and then under another name, sample that cover song and chop it up as you please . ???

What about a freestyle over a known hip hop instrumental? Like if I wrote my own piece over some one else’s instrumental, like mixtape style is that considered a cover?

So I have made a remix of "Thank You" by Dido, I have interpolated the song into my beat, and I have used the melody of the song composition in the chorus part, I write the verse for the rest of my song. Is it legit for me to release it? Or do I need to obtain permission from the label? Thanks!

Great video, really informative! It’s somewhat off topic but when Taylor Swift re-records and releases her old songs is she..interpolating her own work? I’ve always wondered how she was able to pull that off and why no one ever thought of it before.

@samsmyers

2 жыл бұрын

thanks! no its not an interpolation. Her old record label Big Machine owned the copyright to her masters and then sold them to Scooter Braun, which was what she was mad about. Since she still owned the copyright to her publishing, she just decided to re-record new masters, so that now she owns all of the rights to the copyright in the sound recording and also her publishing. It requires a lot of time and money to do this, and people may still only listen to the old versions.

@KidTonyGaming

Жыл бұрын

@@samsmyersso when songs are "remastered/rerecorded" are they new versions of old masters? Also if I own a label owns a master but I copyrighted the song, aren't we both technically allowed to rerecord that work?

What about percussion sample loops from splice? Do we have to clear those or ? Are perc loops not really an issue?

For the cover song do I need to make over the beat?

Could you please do a video on derivatives I understand you said I can’t do a cover and change the lyrics. However, I want to change the lyrics of a particular song but keep the Melody I believe that would be a derivative. How would I go about getting that cleared?

Hey. If I “cover” a song but make it my own - same lyrics, tweaked melody, chords are down a pitch, recorded and performed by myself - I suppose that still falls under the cover song umbrella? One cover I made is even a different music genre altogether. Another “cover” I made uses different lyrics, sometimes a translation, but also a different arrangement and music genre - is that still a cover? I ask because… I’ve so far uploaded some to YT and I didn’t get any copyright strike… But I wanna upload them to Spotify as well…

Hey I have a question ok so me and my friend made a song to jadens blackout instrumental, and the 1st 2 Lyrics in the song are the same but everything else is different but the same melody…would it be considered a cover or an remix ?

I am using remixes minus vocal stems to sing over for my vocal demos I don’t intend to monetize them, but only use them as demos to show my vocals Where would it be safe to upload the remix so other musicians can hear them?

how about something like rewriting the lyrics (but similar) and using the same beat but switching up the tones and sounds? would this still be considered a derivative work?

REALLY helpful video! One question I still have is how does someone go about receiving permission to use stems for a remix officially from the artist or record? Are there websites or something that you're able to purchase these from the artist or label? I would love to post remixes to Apple Music or Spotify

@AnthonyCarrier

Жыл бұрын

You cannot upload remixes/samples VIA Distrokid definitely without a license.

@Hellstvr

Жыл бұрын

@@AnthonyCarrier the question is how do you get the license or permission ? everyone says you need permission but no one explains. like if i want to remix a song from kanye west use his vocals but make a new song out of it. what do i do ? do i send kanye a dm asking for permission ? or what

@sheesh236

9 ай бұрын

@@Hellstvr HAHAHA sending him DM doesnt' work, did you find an actual solution yet?

So hey quick question, would a mashup be able to be aloud? So basically I’m in the mist of doing a Chris Brown song mashing up with an Aaliyah song Isn’t that still like a cover if I’m singing their lyrics? Would that be aloud?

For sampling just pitch it and you will be ok same for vocals

Hey! Just found you! This was incredibly helpful and super informative; I like your style. Just one question: Can I post remixes to KZread and/or Soundcloud without getting clearance from the original songwriters and labels? Is that just for the big marketplaces? Or should I worry about copyright on YT/SC as well. Thanx so much!

@samsmyers

2 жыл бұрын

you can, but sometimes Soundcloud will just pull the track down immediately, and KZread will often allow you to keep it up, but put a copyright claim on it (which means you can't monetize the video)

Hey got a question about the cover: the mechanical license is taken care of by the dsp, or HFA for downloads. But what about the performance license? Because if you upload it to a DSP that also counts as a performance and you need a performance license right?

@joeydaleboudt4577

11 ай бұрын

Oh is it because a dsp ALSO covers the Performance License right? Same a the mechanical as a blanket license?

Hi Sam great video! i got one question. I did a cover of a song, i recorded everything myself nothing from the original is used, i did not change the lyrics or melody, but in terms of instrumentation/song structure i added some things. Such as a longer post-chorus and having the chorus repeat one more time at the end. Will my cover be okay to release on Distrokid with no problems? Thanks!

@samsmyers

2 жыл бұрын

It doesn't seem like that would be an issue so yea you just try to release it!

@jamesrodolfo8068

2 жыл бұрын

@@samsmyers oh thanks for replying Sam I appreciate it and really good video too!

@madrick896

Жыл бұрын

I had rights in school and which I learned was that even that is illegal because the idea of your song you want to release is completely build on another song. If the one who produced the original one is sueing you he'll probably win. In that case you would need to prove that you came up with the melody and so on by yourself. Thats how its down with any kind of art. Although your cover is too near to the original one you still need the clearance of that artist. I know that I'm probably too late but maybe its helpful for the future and I hope anything went well

@girlandapiano

Жыл бұрын

@@samsmyers Hi Sam, to piggyback on this..what if you release this new recording of a cover song and now someone wants to sync it to tv or film etc. Would you have to get pub/artist approval then? What if it's an International artist? I'm asking cause this is the exact situation I'm in or hope to be in soon. Thank you.

Hey Sam, I assume covered songs CANNOT be copyrighted. So can I monetize a "REMIX of a COVERED SONG" and still post them on KZread.

so, may I ask a question? I wanted to do a mashup. I made two different version, one got upload and you can find it on this channel, but the other has been taken down. I heard not to be taken down, mashups have to be rearranged or at least start with 15 seconds of silence or you have to mix two song so that they cannot be recognized. The thing is that I end up with 13 initial silence seconds and then the song starts with the 2/2 song which is a cover of the orginal song I am also putting. So I'm like... what....? Because in the version 1 of the mashup nothing was "detected" or taken down, and here that it starts with not the original version but the cover... got me confused XD Is there a way not to change sounds, maybe adding "silence seconds" to get it uploded? Please try to help me 😩😩

hi, i have a question: can i let ai sing a small part of an acappella (to use as sample in my song) and upload it as a cover on distrokid as shown in the video?

If I wrote a song to an existing instrumental, is that a remix or a cover? I want to use the same instrumental and it also contains a sample in it. Can I release this through my distributor to get it on iTunes and etc? And will I be able to profit any? If so how much? Would I own part of the writers or publishing? If so how much?

So for a bootleg remix it’s ok to make a music video and drop it on KZread it won’t get taken down by copyright ?

What if I am using the instrumental of a famous song that a producer on KZread made, and I only make a remix verse. Essentially it’s the same beat, but I put my verse on there too. Technically the only remix part of it is the verse I added. My question would I still have to get permission from the Artist to officially release the verse I added to their song, or how would that work?

So can I upload a cover to Distrokid without paying the license fee if spotify does this automatically?

What about uploading a cover to youtube? How do you go about paying a royalty if your uploading to youtube

If we pay for cover song license, can we actually make original video to go with the original cover song as well? Or we are not allow to make original video and only cover song?

and what about a sample from youtube video, and im doing a live set that it has the sample every time I play it, is the same?

H,i I wanted to do my 3.58min acoustic guitar version of Xanny by Billie Eilish Just for fun haven't done this sort of stuff before need help with this Thanks Andy 🤩🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Hi, I didnt quite understand what is the difference between a Remix and a sample? Remix uses only "a capella" and sample uses the whole song with instruments? Please help. thx

So is it possible then to cover a song and then use samples and segments from your cover in a remix?

If I have a song that I used some of the original lyrics and then changed some what would that be and could I upload it?

What if I’m using the remake of an instrumental of a mainstream song? What are the ways to clear it?

Interesting, my friend has loads of old speed garage records which are remixes of Popular songs. Would they probably be bootleg?

@samsmyers

2 жыл бұрын

maybe!

Out of curiosity if you mash up lyrics from 2 songs like blue and good. Would that be considered a cover song or a remix or a mashup cover? I didn’t us any samples from the 2 tracks didn’t change the melody or chords. Just blended the 2 lyrics.

@XxGLOWphoenix

4 ай бұрын

Any original stems = remix

Thank you for this! In my case, I’m a rapper who is using an existing instrumental. Is this considered a cover or bootleg remix?

@samsmyers

2 жыл бұрын

possibly a remix? I wouldn't really consider it a cover unless you are using the same words/melody

@peppigue

Жыл бұрын

@@samsmyers Isn't it a sample? that potentially lasts for the full duration of the song?

So bootleg remixes on KZread are allowed? I didn’t know that. Cool 👍🏼

Is it ok to use a small speech sample in a song of a few seconds of someone talking?

Thanks for the breakdown, but how do you provide evidence that an Artist gave permission if it's verbal, and if not how does both parties avoid the heartache of it being taken down if the Artists both say you have my permission. And is a oral contract even honored with platforms?

and what about medleys? for example two songs of two different artists in the same track, like beyonce halo and rihanna diamonds?

Hi, I have a question, it I take music from some old song like lets say without me by eminem, and I right my own lyrics in some other language but use that song’s music and style, can I just do it or need license for that too ?

@hardeepramgarhia853

10 ай бұрын

Or thats what sample is ?

Is it a good idea to show the copyright holder the remixed version when asking for permission or will that reduce the chances statistically to get permission? Or is it a total gamble?

@hellbound00615

10 ай бұрын

You pay for a mechanical license you don’t send them anything you just need to figure out how many sales or downloads you’ll have

what about if i only use the midi melody file but the full track has been fully remade with all new sounds and beats

But are there songs they allow for remix? If i remix a copyright free song will they accept it for spotify

let's say I find the producers of the song i want to remix and i get in touch with them and they let me use the acapella of a song .how do I prove that on distributing sites so my upload can be completed?

How do you get permission from the Artist?

Hi Sam. Can i upload a bootleg remix on youTube and still monetize it with ads? Thanks

Hey man I do chopped and screwed remixes. I slow the original song down and add things. So I just need to get the original artist to do an agreement, then I can post the songs for profit through distrokid? How would you input this scenario into distrokid?

@norazmora

Жыл бұрын

Did you solve it? How do you upload the remix so ut can be searchable on KZread?

If I were to not take anything from a copyright song and just make a song that has no lyrics but has a similar beat would that be bad?

I'm wondering what kind of license would be needed if I cover a few seconds of someone's song and put it on mine. Like I'm covering a portion and sampling what I covered. Would I need a mechanical & sample license to put it on an album? Would I also need licences just to post me singing that song on, Instagram, TikTok and KZread? (Hopefully, you didn't cover this here already, lol.)

i have a bunch of remixes i did ill love to get publish it seem thats not going to happen ....

I couldn't Upload my SquidGame remix on Spotify and Distrokid. but i see some Remixes on Spotify. how it is possible for some small Artists to release officially on Spotify while i can not do it?