Ask Your Doctor about Royalty Free Music

22khz vs 44.1khz Download Sampling Rate

2009-06-11T10:16:00.000-07:00

Choosing The Best Sampling Rate

Many of you have called and asked what the difference is between a 22khz D.A.W.N. download and one at 44.1khz. The first difference is price. The 22khz files are priced approximately 60% of the 44.1khz files. The most important difference though is quality. 44.1khz is “CD Quality” (20-20,000 hz frequency response) while our 22khz downloads are more nearly “FM Radio Quality” (30- 11,000 hz). Many applications do not require the best quality (e.g. message on hold telephone programs) and so 22khz is the cost effective choice. And in skilled hands a 22khz file can often be tweaked to “recover” some of the higher frequencies with judicious EQ. While we recommend downloading the best quality initially rather than massaging files, we know that real world budgets often dictate choosing 22khz. Budget considerations aside, however, when you select 44.1khz on D.A.W.N. you get more format choices: 44.1hz / 48khz .wavs in addition to .mp3, .mp4 (AAC) and QuickTime compressed files at 44.1khz. 22khz downloads on D.A.W.N. are available only in .mp3.

New Playlist Feature on www.dawnmusic.com

2009-06-02T14:35:00.000-07:00

Great News! We've added a new playlist feature on our single track download site: www.dawnmusic.com

What Is A D.A.W.N. Playlist?

The D.A.W.N. Playlist system is a great way to organize music for all your various projects or just to keep track of music or SFX you like or may want to use in the future. When you find a selection you think might work, you can add it to playlist and then name the playlist for the project you’re working on (e.g. XYZ Co. New Product Rollout Show). Whenever you find new tunes, you can add them to an existing playlist or create a new one. You can also change a playlist name to update it for another project by typing the new title into the “name playlist” field at the bottom of an open playlist. If you’re working with others on a project or need client approval for example, you can simply e-mail a playlist— across the hall or around the world. You can even e-mail a playlist to yourself as a reminder or idea irker. Every tune is reviewable by clicking the .mp3 “forward triangle”. You can also buy a track from a playlist by clicking the “Buy Track” button. You can also delete tunes from a playlist or delete an entire playlist as you refine your music needs and preferences.

How do I get started using D.A.W.N. Playlists?

Getting set up for D.A.W.N. Playlists is quick and simple. Click “add to playlist” under the “buy track” button in your search results. You will be taken to a sign in page. If you’re new to the process, click where it says “click here to register”. Simply enter your e-mail address and a password of your choosing and then submit. When you want to review your existing playlists, create a new playlist or e-mail a playlist, log in with your e-mail address and password. You’ll be able to log in any time you like 24/7/365.

Buy A Library--You May Save on Your 2008 Taxes

2008-12-16T15:38:00.000-08:00

So you want a bail out from Washington?

Well you already have one. Congress increased the limits of the Section 179 depreciation provision AND included a new wrinkle providing for "50% bonus depreciation".

What's the catch? You have to take delivery of new equipment, etc. before the end of the year.

Is this the time to buy a CSS Music library or what? If you think you have a tax problem, this is definitely the time. Check with your tax adviser about the details of the rules for the enhanced Section 179 to see if it is a fit for you.

CSS MUSIC RELEASES 6 NEW CDs

2008-11-12T12:04:00.000-08:00

CSS Music (Los Angeles), the oldest royalty free music library under continuous original management (since 1982), has released 6 new CD volumes, for a total of 318 (11,885 tracks).

The six new CSS volumes include the long awaited Super Themes Vols 63 and 64, “Rock and Rebellion I & II”, from film composer David Wurst. Wurst’s brother, Eric, also a renowned film composer, wrote and produced Target Trax 49- “Animation & Comedy”. Also new are Repro-file Plus Vol. 27 “Hit Driven Rock”, Powertrax 24 “Mean Streets” and MAX TRAX Vol. 49 “TV Time”.

CSS royalty free licensees can buy physical (shipped) CDs or Q-Disc downloadable versions. Single track downloads are also available in wav, .mp3, .mp4, and QuickTime. The CSS download system automatically calculates applicable volume discounts or downloaders can sign up for one of two bulk download discount plans.

All 11,885 CD tracks are previewable in their entirety at www.cssmusic.com. CSS Music offers a free CD demo available by calling 866-CSS Music (277- 6874)

WANTA NAB DEAL?....YOU GOT IT!

2008-04-09T11:03:00.000-07:00

Whether you're attending NAB or not, you can take advantage of a rare sale from CSS Music.
The UltraEdit II hard drive system will be 25% off from April 15 through April 30, 2008. This deluxe hard drive system contains all 11,529 currently available tracks in the CSS Royalty Free Music and Sound Effects package. The UltraEdit II .mp3 320bps system normally $2495 will be priced at $1871.25. All UltraEdit II systems will be 25% off during the sale. Please visit www.cssmusic.com for UltraEdit details. Call 800- 468-6874 for questions or to order (sale price not available online).

BIGGEST BANG FOR THE BUCK

2008-03-14T15:55:00.000-07:00

Everyone wants the best deal, right? Of course. The problem is finding the best deal for YOU. I have Three suggestions. First, read our site navigation and format guide at www.cssmusic.com.
Second, give us a buzz. Talk is cheap. We're here to help 6 days a week 9:30-5:30 Pacific Time.
If you like, e-mail your questions to info@cssmusic.com. Thirdly, take a look at Q-Disc (again see our home page at www.cssmusic.com). With Q-Disc you can download an entire CD volume and burn a CD-R within about 15 minutes. You'll save money over delivered CDs (e.g. Target Trax delivered CD - $59, Target Trax Q-Disc - $39 PLUS there's no shipping or sales tax). GET THE BIGGEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK. We're here to help!

Save on Your 2007 Taxes-- Buy a Music Library!

2007-12-17T13:34:00.000-08:00

If you're in business, don't forget about your Section 179 deduction as an important tool in reducing your 2007 tax bill. You've got just a few more days left to make your move. Why not consider a music library-- an investment in you, your business and your success (be sure to check with your tax advisor).

Here are some year end Section 179 ideas:

UltraEdit II System MP3 - 44.1khz (160kbs) Format - $2295

UltraEdit II System MP3 - 44.1khz (320kbs) Format - $2495

UltraEdit II System MP4 - 44.1khz Format - $2495

UltraEdit II System MP4 - 48khz Format - $2495

UltraEdit II System .WAV - 44.1khz format - $3495

UltraEdit II System .WAV - 48khz format - $3695

Complete 305 CD CSS Music Library - $4840

Full CSS Music & Effects Library
On Q-Tunes DVD-ROMs

.MP3 (160kbs) - 5 DVD-ROMs - 44.1K Full Bandwidth - $1995

.MP4 (AAC) - 5 DVD-ROMs - 44.1K Full Bandwidth - $1995

.MP3 (320kbs) - 12 DVD-ROMs - 44.1K Full Bandwidth - $2295

Doctor Recommended Reading

2006-10-02T11:21:00.000-07:00

MONDAY MORNING MEMORANDUM
By Assemblyman Ray Haynes
October 2, 2006

Why We Need Bigger Government

There is always a good excuse for big government.

I thought I would spend some time to catalogue some of those excuses, just to put them down on the record. Whether it is on the floor of the Senate or Assembly, in budget or other committee hearings in the Legislature, these excuses pop up from time to time. In this era of term limits, it is rare for those in decision making positions to hang around long enough to hear these excuses repeated, so this article can act as a chronicle, since I have now heard many of these excuses over and over again.

Let’s start with the environment, since that seems to be one of the topics we have heard about of late. The excuse for big government can be broken down into four major categories: air, water, soil and the globe.

First, air. The excuse goes something like this: Business owners are greedy, say the proponents of big government, and care only about making a profit. Given half a chance, these greedy business owners would kill off all of their customers, their neighbors, their children, their spouses, and themselves by spewing dirt into the air on purpose just to make this profit. Only government can save the lives of all of these people, so government needs more money, more power, and more bureaucrats.

Water. Greedy business owners like dirty water, it increases their profit. So government needs more money, more power and more bureaucrats.

Dirt. Greedy business owners dump stuff on their own property because that is how they increase the value of their property. Only government can stop this greed, so it needs more money, more power, and more bureaucrats

The Globe. People drive cars, cars spew greenhouse gases. Farmers raise cattle, cattle spew greenhouse gases. Business owners liked the age of the dinosaur, and therefore, spew greenhouse gases to return to that age. Politicians talk a lot, and spew greenhouse gases, but politicians can control everyone else’s greenhouse gas emissions to make sure that the globe never again gets as warm as it did with the dinosaurs, so government needs more money, more power, and more bureaucrats.

Next, welfare. Poor people exist, and existed long before poverty programs were created. There is more poverty today than when poverty programs first started, and the more poverty programs we have, the more poverty grows. Rich people are heartless, and will never help poor people. Therefore, government must create more poverty programs, so government needs more money, more power, and more bureaucrats.

Next, government education, child care, and children’s programs. Parents don’t love their children, and want to be sure that every child they raise grows up ignorant and starving, so government must have school breakfast and lunch programs. Childhood obesity is a growing problem, especially among children on government run school breakfast and lunch programs. Ignorance is a growing problem, especially at government run schools, so government needs more money, more power and more bureaucrats.

Next, government health care. People don’t know who is a good doctor, doctors don’t care about their patients, and greedy business owners only want sick employees. Only a government run health care program can deliver quality health care on a timely and inexpensive basis, therefore, government needs more money, more power and more bureaucrats.

In California, in the last 14 years, government has grown 250%. It has continually demanded more money, more power, and more bureaucrats, yet the problems it was supposed to solve with the money, power, and bureaucrats have gotten worse, so it demands more money, more power, and more bureaucrats. It will never end until the whole thing collapses, which may not be far away. We can only hope.

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Are You Buying Retail?

2006-09-08T16:52:00.000-07:00

That may sound like a silly question but are you paying "retail" for your royalty free music? Are you thinking of buying from say a stock visuals house, for example, that offers music as a sideline? If you are, check those prices and features carefully. Visit the web site of the library you're considering. You may find the deal better when you buy "wholesale"direct. And of course, always read the "retail" license agreement and determine if it is applicable to your uses. For that matter read the "wholesale" license too.

There's nothing wrong with "retail". Afterall, we are a nation of retailers anymore. But all things considered, wouldn't it be wise to buy music from the folks who create it rather than merchants that just sell it? Most library music available from two-steppers, dealers and the like is offered at "suggested retail" and often reflects just slow moving material. And what about customer service and perhaps more important, support? Will the two-stepper back up the product the way the guy who creates it does? Maybe and then again maybe not. And watch those "bundles". Just because you know a thing or two about buying stock shots, doesn't mean you know music. Do your homework and buy just what you need.

Buying music should be trouble free and hopefully fun. If you have questions about any aspect of music licensing and purchase, give me a call at 800-468-6874. Or if you prefer, shoot me an e-mail at info@cssmusic.com. If I can't help you, I'll refer you to a library or someone who can. We've been in the business of creating great "home grown" royalty free production music for 25 years. We've been under the same ownership from the beginning and in fact, we're the oldest royalty free music library under original management. We do it because we love it, not 'cause we're making a killing. Getting you great music for your productions is a reward in itself and we're glad to be of service.

Doctor Recommended Reading

2006-09-05T10:58:00.000-07:00

MONDAY MORNING MEMORANDUM
By Assemblyman Ray Haynes
September 5, 2006

Freedom Fades in California

Freedom is a fragile thing. A candlelight in a windstorm, if you will, requiring constant vigilance to preserve. It is never safe, as the old saying goes, as long as the Legislature (or Congress) is in session.

            That is because the ruling class, that is, elected officials, bureaucrats, and their allies in the private sector, get money, power and prestige from bigger government, and bigger government is an anathema to freedom. Therefore, those who are in charge of protecting our freedom, (i.e. government officials) have a vested interest in taking it away. Human nature being what it is, everyone, including those in government, act to enhance their money, power and prestige. The less freedom you have, the more power the ruling class has.

            Let’s take a look at what the collectivists in Sacramento did this week to infringe on your freedom, and enhance their power.

            First, SB 840 by Sheila Kuehl, a socialist from West Hollywood. SB 840 would create a “single-payer” medical system (that single payer being the government) so that “everyone” would have “medical care.” Of course everyone means everyone, whether they are in this country legally or illegally, and whether they can afford to pay for it themselves or not, or whether their boss is already paying for it. Essentially, you or your boss would pay a tax to the state, and in return, you would get medical care.

            The key problem is what kind of medical care you would get. It would be rendered by government bureaucrats who have lifetime jobs from which it is impossible to fire if they accidentally killed you while rendering the care. And if the government ran out of money, they could just tell you the care is not available. Or, you would pay taxes for bureaucrats who earn six or seven figure salaries, never see a patient, and who just sit around all day and try to figure out how not to give you medical care. Government created the problems in medical care. Creating bigger government will only make the problem worse.

            Next, Fabian Nunez “attempted” to stop global warming by presenting AB 32. If California doesn’t stop greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (like carbon dioxide, which is what we breathe out when we talk), the whole world will collapse into a molten pool of hot lava (or so Nunez contends). So let’s create a large government bureaucracy, which will write a whole bunch of reports and regulations (which, by the way, kill trees, trees which would absorb carbon dioxide), and the world will be safe again.

            Not to put too fine a point on it, but poppycock. The only GHG we need to stop is from blow hard politicians who think they can control the weather and the rotation of the Earth. This is just an intrusion into our freedom.

            Next, Sally Lieber presented AB 1835 to increase in the minimum wage. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a large chunk of the hourly workers who get minimum wage are teenagers. So your son, the one who takes his car out Friday night, and doesn’t tell you where he is going, just got more beer money. Other than that, a lot of other people are going to lose their jobs, because the small business that hires them can’t afford to keep them. Thanks a lot California government.

            This is just a few of the bonehead ideas that have come out of this Legislature under the guise of helping and protecting you. The worst part of all is that each of these rules, regulations and bureaucracies will take more of your freedom, and hand more control of your life over to government in America, which is supposed to be the guardian and beacon of freedom. Thank God the Legislative session is over.

Not In the Mood for Mood Mapping?

2006-08-22T10:38:00.000-07:00

I have to chuckle to myself when folks tell me they just don't have time to get the best music for their productions. Sometimes in the same breath they make mention of some of the many "self editing" music software applications available.
Let's face it, people love a gimmick. They will spend $300 or more for a software application that "magically" assembles music to "fit" their picture even though it often takes just as long or longer to choose from the choices the software spits out for their review. Now the new gimmick is mood mapping, the latest incarnation of multi-track library music. Historically, this concept has not fared well. Why, afterall it is a slick idea? Because it requires time (lots of time) and a certain amount of expertise on the part of the user. In the case of the latest version of self editing music allowing manipulation of up to 8 tracks, the enduser must purchase a fairly expensive piece of software. The dirty little secret is that most audio editing software today allows for quick, efficient professional sounding crossfades which are far faster and smooth than any self editing alternative, with or without so called mood mapping. Let's face it, production music has never been cheaper to buy. Why waste your time and money on self-editing when for far less money you can be knee deep in great fully orchestrated tracks. If you don't like a piece of music? Go to another. That's real efficiency. Unless you're a composer, musician or high end sound designer, why put your ego on the line with your clientele? And be honest now, is the client going to pay you to play with your new music editing toy? No, probably not. He or she wants the best quality at the lowest possible price. Unfortunately, time is money. Your money (and ultimately the client's money) is better spent on giving the client more real choices not just those conjured up by a computer program. If you want real cost (and time) efficiency, I suggest you check out UltraEdit LE from CSS Music. 11,000 tracks in the palm of your hand. On board seach and play. 275 CDs worth with no CD clutter. UltraEdit LE is being discontinued though and replaced by an improved model, UltraEdit II. This is REAL music effciency-- REAL ASSET MANAGEMENT in the palm of your hand. Faster, better searches ( including search the search). Enhanced playlist creation, import/export, auto fill and file cue sheets and much, much more. The downside is the price is going up from $1995 to $2495. BUT, while supplies last, UltraEdit LE will still be available at $1995. So, just a suggestion. Invest in client enhanced choice (read: satisifaction) and real efficiency (read: bottom line profits) and get an UltraEdit LE while they last. And remember, when you buy an UltraEdit you may be able to take a Section 179 write off on your taxes (talk to your tax advisor).

Doctor Recommended Reading

2006-07-31T10:35:00.000-07:00

MONDAY MORNING MEMORANDUM
By Assemblyman Ray Haynes
July 31, 2006

A Streamlined Sales Tax
Equals A Bloated Bureaucracy

One of the things I enjoy most about this job is the opportunity to watch how the ruling class in our society, that is the politicians, the bureaucrats, and their allies in the private sector, try to dupe people into giving them more power.

Case in point—there is an effort nationwide, in which California is participating, to develop the Streamlined Sales Tax Project (SSTP). The SSTP would force businesses that do mail order and internet sales to collect sales taxes from citizens of other states. SSTP would require Congress to enforce the system and would use an organization called the Multistate Tax Commission to collect and audit the sellers. Congress is being asked to force all sellers, even if they operate in a state that does not participate in the SSTP to collect taxes from buyers in states that do participate.

Today, these sellers need to know the sales tax laws in the states where they actually have a business. If the seller is not located in the state, no tax is due from the seller. The buyer owes a use tax, and it is the responsibility of the state in which the buyer lives to collect that tax from the buyers.

The states are whining. If states actually try to collect this tax from buyers after the purchase is complete, buyers will then know the cost of the tax, and probably balk at paying the high sales tax in those states with a high tax. If these states can force a few sellers (whose political power is limited) to collect the tax, buyers will be less aware of the true cost of government in their lives.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) and the International Conference of Shopping Centers (ICSC) are also whining. They think that internet businesses are getting a competitive advantage from not having to pay the sales tax. Of course, the tax is still due, so the only thing the SSTP will do is make collection of the tax “more efficient.” Hence, the name “streamlined sales tax.”

The problem is that it will make sellers who ship their product responsible to know the sales tax laws in all fifty states, and in the nearly 10,000 jurisdictions within those states. The bookkeeping nightmare that will result from this system will put a lot of these internet and mail order businesses out of business. That is more than likely why NRF and ICSC support the SSTP. SSTP will give the Multistate Tax Commission, which is an unelected tax collection agency, almost plenary power to determine the tax regulations which govern these businesses, and then allow these unaccountable bureaucrats the power to raid these businesses to collect the tax.

Business groups like the NRF and the ICSC claim it will “level the competitive playing field” by requiring shipping businesses to pay their “fair share” of the taxes. It does so, however, by raising taxes and regulations on their competitors.

SSTP is a disaster in the making. It will strengthen unaccountable bureaucrats, protect high tax states from competition with low tax states, and require businesses to become the financial agents of the welfare state. It will streamline nothing except the tax collection process, and it will allow government once again to intrude into more areas of our lives.

Worse than all of this, the bureaucracy has willing allies in the private sector who want to use government to squelch their competition, to the detriment of lower prices, better products and more convenience to the consumer. It is the worst of all possible worlds for you and me, and the best of all possible worlds for the ruling class, which means it will probably come to pass in our country, the beacon of freedom for the entire world.

UltraEdit LE soon to be Replaced

2006-07-27T17:56:00.000-07:00

If you're in the market for a large library package, UltraEdit LE is an outstanding value at $1995 for 10,000 tracks. In September, however, UltraEdit LE will be superceded by UltraEdit II at $2495. UltraEdit II will offer more than 11,000 tracks, unbelieveable search features and enhanced compatibility with popular asset management software packages. BUT, UltraEdit LE will continue to be sold WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. The Doctor urges you to consider LE now before it's too late. Compare other library packages for QUALITY and QUANTITY. If your needs are more modest, I continue to prescribe Q-Tunes CD-ROMs, the You Pick 'Em Plan, Q-Disc (remember the 2nd Q-Disc is at half price) and of course downloads of individual tracks (bulk downloads are available). Don't take 2 aspirin but definitely do call me in the morning and get stocked up before the inevitable inflationary price pressures finally take hold. And remember, you can always take a test drive-- call me for a promo code good for $40 in FREE downloads. If you have any quesitons about Royalty Free Music or just want to compare notes on your particular application, give us a call at 1800-468-6874. We're happy to chat and do some "what ifs". Oh, before I forget, be sure to check out the MEGA SAVINGS with the CSS Multiple Library Discount Plan or for that matter the government/non-profit discounts available.

The Doctor's Special for March

2006-03-05T08:26:00.000-08:00

There's nothing like having an assortment of Royalty Free CDs on hand when you need to impress a client and it may make your job easier, too. Yes, of course, you can download individual tracks, get a bulk download plan and even download individual CD volumes in CD quality. But still, the client likes reassurance. Likes to know you have what it takes to get his or her job done. So what's wrong with that? Well, nothing. The big question becomes how big a stack of CDs is big enough? Only you can answer that question but this brings me to my point. The Doctor's Special for March 2006. How would a nice assortment of 84 CDs sound. Pretty impressive? Probably would do the job. During March, CSS is offering it's complete 44 CD Target Trax library and 40 CD Repro-file library for just $995. Yes, it's off the card and you have to call the Doctor to get this prescription (can't buy it online). But it will be well worth the effort. Even after Multiple Library Discount these two libraries when sold together normally sell for $1248 ($699 + $799= $1498 - $250 multiple library discount = $1248). So, during March, you can save some green just in time for St. Patty's Day. You can look at your CDs and have corned beef and cabbage at the same time. Does it get any better? Anyway, click through to CSS and check out these two libraries. You'll be glad you did. Oh, I almost forgot, you can add the 9 CD MAX-EFX sound effects package for just another $99. Serious package.

More Power To You

2006-02-28T18:08:00.000-08:00

The Doctor would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all download customers during a rather trying 3 days here in Los Angeles. It seems first the download server went down, then the e-mail server and finally when it couldn't get any worse-- it did. Torrential rains (4 inches) caused a power failure at the Doctor's office. But all through this ordeal, customers remained calm and very supportive even though they had suffered protracted delays or worse no product at all. Thanks to all of our customers for their understanding and patience. You're the best!!!

A Prescription from the Doctor

2006-01-15T19:40:00.000-08:00

Royalty Free Music- You Pick 'em Plan

There are some pretty sharp deals on Royalty Free Music on the web these days if price is all you care about. Some days it seems that buying Royalty Free Music is like buying a pound of nails-- true commodity pricing. Just like a bushel of wheat or dare I say it, a barrell of sweet light crude.

Aah, but the cure for all audio/visual/video productions is good sound design and my friends, that means great music. But can you buy great music by the pound? Price then by extension is only one factor or should be only one factor in any music buying decision.

What else is there? Well, how about quality. Do you hear great writing and great musicianship? What do your ears tell you? I urge you not to compromise on quality. It¹s perhaps the only thing differentiating your effort from the guy down the street. And when you consider that most reputable royalty free libraries provide for virtually unlimited use of a cut of music, why not simply buy the best sounding cut period? The cost per use is probably pennies. Yes, I said pennies.

So, we have price, quality and then what? Well, how about selectivity? Just how easy is it to bob and weave between all the cuts being offered and get just what you need? Why buy a pile of tunes that you¹ll never use just to get a great price on one tune that you will?

Alright. There¹s price, quality, selectivity and what else? Why format of course. In today's world, most of my patients use their computers to create, meld and mix sound and video. So shouldn¹t any format be friendly to/with your computer? You bet it should.

So what¹s this all leading to. A simple prescription from the Doctor. Over the counter too. Your productions don¹t need intensive care, all they may need is the "You Pick 'em Plan" from CSS Music. Get what you want, spend what you want. Get a computer friendly format, a great deal and sound like a million bucks. Oh, and take 2 aspirin and call me in the morning.

Happy New Year from the Doctor

2006-01-08T20:32:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Ideas on Using Royalty Free Music and Software and Choosing Delivery Systems

2005-09-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

The most important part of purchasing Royalty Free Music
should be the most fun-- just listening

Set aside some time to select music. Allot at least an hour. Listen to more than 5 or 10 seconds of each prospective tune. Listen for and identify editing posts and spots that you can use for swells and releases, for example. This will pay you solid dividends and actually save time when you’re doing a score.

Soundtrack Creation Software?

In our hurry hurry, rush rush world with ever smaller budgets, we dream of a magic box that will make the right decisions for us. Software that will let us pull a rabbit out of the hat and relieve us of the work of actually “knowing” the music we use. Great sound design does not come so easily. Nor does the satisfaction of a job well done. Don’t deprive yourself of the real joy and fun of doing great sound and using great music. Re-explore the simple crossfade for example. There is no faster way to assemble a show score. And here’s another idea. Do your soundtrack first. Then cut in the visuals to the sound. You can’t always go this route but when you have the opportuntiy, the results can be amazing.

And what about loops?

If you have the time to use loop based music creation software, you probably don’t have a deadline problem or a client watching the clock. If you’re one of the lucky ones without these problems, beware of your own ego. Creating good music takes lots of time and hard work. Your creations will probably sound good to you because you have the pride of authorship. But the real question is, will they sound good to the client and not come off as too simplistic, “off the wall” or “loopy”? It might make more sense to first take advantage of the literally thousands of well crafted fully produced royalty free music tracks available today. Perhaps your time and the client’s money would be better spent crafting outstanding sound design.

Choose Music That Focuses Attention

How many times have you been admonished by a client not to let the music “fight” the narration? A “catch 22”? Maybe. But don’t do your sound design with one hand tied behind your back. Select music that’s workable and yet still motivational in character. Ride gain if you have to and/or use compression on your voice track so it will punch through. Consider using your software’s “ducking” feature or creating swells and releases to call attention to points in the script. Does narration really communicate iif nobody listens? Music shouldn’t fight the narrative, it should, along with visuals, focus attention on it.

The Client Wants to Use a Tune He Heard On the Radio?

Don’t let that happen. It isn’t right, it’s stealing. Its also very much illegal. No gray area here. You may think you’ll never get caught. Think again. Producers get caught all the time. And sometimes, depending on how deep the client’s pockets are, it can cost a pretty penny (not to mention your reputation and lost future business). Certainly not in any sense worth it. Point the client toward the many excellent sound-alike or “in the same bag” recordings available from Royalty Free Music libraries. Peace of mind is what we sell along with some very good sounds too. If you need help, call a Royalty Free Music library. We are in business to serve you. If the client is adamant, a custom sound-alike might also be an answer. No, your client’s ASCAP or BMI license won’t likely cover him. No, a mechanical license from the Harry Fox Agency won’t either. Get an honest quote from the publisher and/or record label for a master use / synchronization license for the tune the client is in love with. That should put the matter to rest quickly. Do the right thing. You’ll like yourself.

Avoiding a Needle Drop Mentality

Should you buy an entire library or download just a single tune? There is no universal right answer. Budget certainly is a factor. High selectivity is certainly another. No one in our industry can deny that we’ve come through some pretty tough economic times. Plenty of incentive to be careful with money set aside for music. But at the same time, let’s not forget that unlike a “needle drop”, “production blanket” or “annual blanket” licensing approach, music that is licensed on a royalty free basis is not really an expense but actually an investment in an asset. Oh sure, you may budget a download like a needle drop and with CDs so cheap today, its easy to “expense them” or tie them to the cost of one project. But there is a clear difference. Check your royalty free license (each library is different to a degree). Chances are your license provides you with multiple if not unlimited use of licensed music for 50-99 years (“lifetime blanket”). While you may be tempted to charge off the cost of a royalty free tune to a single show remember that your CPA would tell you that the majority of your investment should be amortized over numerous projects, bringing your average cost per use down to sometimes pennies. An outstanding value, no other way to look at it.

Choosing a Royalty Free Music Delivery Format--
What’s a Mother To Do?

The number one delivery format for Royalty Free Music is still the venerable Compact Disc. But there are others and good ones at that. Not the least of these is the single-track download. Now you can choose from literally thousands of tracks and get exactly and precisely what you think will do your job or minimally meet a client’s needs. These downloads used to be just .mp3s but now with DSL and cable modem, uncompressed .wav and. aiff files are common too. In the last two years .mp4 (AAC), a compressed format, has burst upon the scene offering quality that is indistinguishable from CDs while retaining the space saving advantages of .mp3. For those that need full bandwidth downloads, there’s 44.1khz and for those who want to trade off a little quality for a smaller file size, there’s 22khz. There are many pricing scenarios but generally speaking, you pay essentially by the length of the material being downloaded.

The argument for downloading is high selectivity and the risk of buying a CD with only 1 or 2 useable selections. But in the last year, a new concept of downloading entire CD volumes has been introduced that makes it economic to buy entire volumes. This concept relies on the absolute CD quality of .mp4s along with a lower price to compensate the buyer for his or her own time and a CD-R upon which to burn the music. End users can typically save $50 or more over conventional CDs with delivery to the computer desktop often in 15 minutes or less.

. mp4 (AAC) has spawned two other high quality formats, CD-ROM and hard drive. These, however, are clearly library oriented as opposed to CDs or individual tracks. Simple “economy of scale” economics allows library CD-ROMs with as many as 15 volumes each to be produced for far less than conventional CDs, resulting in end user prices typically more than 50% less. Furthermore, because the discs contain computer files, the importation into editing software is often made easier. If format conversion is necessary, it is often very rapid. Perhaps the biggest advantage is having a large body of musical works available without the usual clutter associated with using CDs.

Hard drives take the advantages of CD-ROMs one-step further. Even the hand held variety, can contain a given company’s entire catalog. Again economy of scale makes it possible to deliver all of the quality of CDs at a fraction of the cost.

Great sound design becomes affordable for small to medium sized producers as well as larger traditional big library users. Other hard drive advantages include portability, compatibility with other post houses, and onboard and intuitive high-speed search capability (sometimes more than one).

Deciding what to buy and how much to buy still boils down to your analysis of short term and long term needs. If you want greater control over costs and cash flow, a download plan makes good sense. After all, you have an entire company’s libraries accessible 24/7, why stock the shelves? This is especially true with some of the bulk download plans available that bring the cost of a download down to more nearly the cost per cut on a CD. But there’s a lot to be said for having a body of music available at your literal fingertips. The cost per cut is lowest and it impresses the clients, too. Compact discs are universally accepted but more and more the alternative CD-ROM and hard drive formats are finding favor. How your facilities are configured and your comfort level with various computer-based technologies will largely dictate your preference. If cost and quality are the only considerations, however, the CD-ROM and hard drive formats may increasingly make good sense.

Again, there are no right or wrong answers. What works for you is what counts. Remember, a royalty free music library is an investment in an asset. Buy this asset the way you would buy a new car. And look at the company behind the product. Check out their license terms. Look at the customer support they offer, especially if downloading. Analyze their music search mechanisms on line or supplied with music. Above all, listen to the music. Music shouldn’t be like buying a pound of nails. A pile of CDs at a good price is not necessarily a good deal. Sure, look at the number of cuts you get per volume but also ask whether they’re just “padding” the disc with a lot of mix and edit outs instead of giving you what you really need, more musical selections.

Finally. Ask a lot of questions. Call the libraries and get what you need to make an informed decision. Your investment in royalty free music is an investment in YOU!