Royalty free music sale

Noiz2

Noiz2

Sound Ninja
The where can I get affordable music question comes up a lot so I though I would post this. Digital Juice has two really large collections of RF music done by some other company that they have been selling over the years It's a LOT of music at a good price. Anyway they are closing them out and they are now $99 each set (28 & 33 CD's respectfully). Around 1,000 cuts each. That's a little misleading since each piece has a number of cuts at different lengths so it works out to around 300 songs per set.
Anyway you cut it it's not pricey. There is a bunch of "sound alike" music in the collections so for instance there are pieces that sound like MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, and PINK PANTHER etc. and there is also a bunch of classical works. Just a lot of variety. You can I believe listen through the cuts on the site. I don't do much music work but I have used these a fair amount for "score" on fake TV shows or films that I needed for when a character is say watching TV.
I payed a bit more for them and have been happy with the collections, so I though I would pass it on.

LINK
http://www.digitaljuice.com/products/product_volumes.asp?cid=1&pvid=1
 
A lot of music in that package. Very low-end stuff though. It may well be useful to have in your arsenal when low budget projects crop up that don't have the $$ for high-end music licensing. It sounds very 1980s - there is so much better stuff out there. I bet Dig Juic is retiring it because they are a bit embarrased by the quality of some of the tracks. But having said that..its a steal
 
vegas06 said:
I would highly recommend http://triplescoopmusic.com

Great royalty free music for a decent price.
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Yes good songs or should I say "real" songs. And a decent price. I've bookmarked it, but it's a little different from the DJ stuff. There are no "songs" in the DJ collections. It's a big variety pack of stuff that is supposed to be "score". Some of it's not great some is pretty good. It also may not be very up to date but actually I'm almost never looking for "current" sounding music. I'm not arguing that it's great stuff or that it will fit everyone's needs but if you only use three cuts out of the 300 or so "songs" then your paying less per song that your link. I've used 15- 20 for various purposes so far (elevator music, fake TV shows and films etc) so I'm way ahead. If I were looking for a "song" for a film I would definitely go to the above site, but for stuff that is in the BG or is supposed to be a bit cheesy or your looking for that "TV" feel these collections work really well.

My $0.02
 
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DigitalJuice's licensing is insane. They limit the number of PCs you can have the music loaded onto. You can't use it in ANY kind of commercial project-- not in any for sale project, work for hire, not even as on-hold music for your corporate phone system.

I wouldn't take their music even if it was free.
 
TwistedLincoln said:
DigitalJuice's licensing is insane. They limit the number of PCs you can have the music loaded onto.
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True - just like any software company does.
I don't see anything 'insane' about that.
You buy a copy of FCP, for example, and according to the license you are only allowed to install it on one computer.
Seems pretty standard to me.

You can't use it in ANY kind of commercial project-- not in any for sale project, work for hire...
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Completely untrue.
The limitations on the use of the music are:
It cannot be used in conjunction with pornographic material.
It cannot be resold as part of a music library (meaning, I cannot take DJ music and 'remix' it to make my own 'royalty free library' that I then try to sell to people).

And there is one more limitation....

...not even as on-hold music for your corporate phone system.
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That part is true.
The music is sold royalty free to be used as part of other works, not to be the work itself. That is pretty common.
Meaning, I can use DJ music in any project I want - but I can't sell the music itself to a client to use in their office, for example.

I don't really see anything crazy about that at all.
Their agreement seems rather standard - and if anything it seems MORE open than many that I've seen.
It's common for some to limit internet distribution, for example, or to give you 'royalty free' use up to X number of units of your product.

But just to be clear - you can most definitely use DJ products in any kind of commercial video production.
 
Luis Caffesse said:
True - just like any software company does.
I don't see anything 'insane' about that.
You buy a copy of FCP, for example, and according to the license you are only allowed to install it on one computer.
Seems pretty standard to me.
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Standard for software, sure. But the whole point of royalty free music is that you can use it in projects you are distributing without paying a seperate licensing fee for each copy. So you can make 100 copies of your DVD with the music as the soundtrack, but you can only have one copy of the source file? Just seems unnecessarily prohibitive.


Luis Caffesse said:
Meaning, I can use DJ music in any project I want - but I can't sell the music itself to a client to use in their office, for example.

...

But just to be clear - you can most definitely use DJ products in any kind of commercial video production.
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Maybe I'm reading the wrong EULA (This is the one I read: http://www.digitaljuice.com/products/product_docs.asp?docid=54)

It says:

This License does not include the right to use the musical compositions contained in the BackTraxx 1 Music library as performance or foreground music, or as any part of units for any sale, exhibition or distribution to the public for home or business use. (For example, uses not covered by this License include use of the Music synchronized in commercial films or television programs exhibited to the public, Music used in television commercials directed to the public or other businesses, Music on hold or music systems in restaurants or offices, sampling of any Music in other recordings, or sales or distribution of commercial records or recordings in any form or format, etc.)
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So maybe I'm missing something, but if you can't use the music in any film or commercial meant for distribution, what other kind of commercial use is there (aside from in-house use)?
 
I have asked DJ to clarify this. People have asked before about usage and this does NOT reflect there responses. I'll post back with what they say because if your correct then this sucks big time and is not at all what they portray the products as. But I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt till I hear back from them.
 
TwistedLincoln said:
Standard for software, sure. But the whole point of royalty free music is that you can use it in projects you are distributing without paying a seperate licensing fee for each copy. So you can make 100 copies of your DVD with the music as the soundtrack, but you can only have one copy of the source file? Just seems unnecessarily prohibitive.
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Well - I guess that's one we'll just have to agree to disagree on.
I can see the logic in it - I can buy a music library and use it as much as I want, just like I can buy software and use it as much as I want. But I bought one copy, so I get one copy... I don't see an issue with that. Prohibitive? I guess it could be seen that way in certain situations - but seeing as I'm essentially a one man band here it doesn't really affect me in any negative way, so I guess it's not that big an issue for me, so I had never really considered it as a problem.

Maybe I'm reading the wrong EULA (This is the one I read: http://www.digitaljuice.com/products/product_docs.asp?docid=54)
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Well, I think we found the problem -
That's not the EULA I was looking at.
I was referring to the EULA for their StackTraxx series (which I pulled off one of the discs I have here).
The EULA you linked to is for their BackTraxx series, which I believe is being phased out.
The agreement that I have does not have that same clause that you bolded.

In fact, it specifically states:
The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any work (including broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal) that is created by YOU provided that work is not then sold or distributed as either a single sample or loop or as part of any sample, loop or music library, collection, set, or product.
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But if some of their music is limited in use, then you're right - that is definitely something worth clearing up.
 
I have not heard back yet but I puled out the index CD which has the EULA that comes with the collection and it reads as follows.

Copyright and Licensing Information

COPYRIGHT MATERIAL
The music in this CD collection (collectively called the "Music") is proprietary and copyrighted. This copyright is protected under U.S. and International copyright law. Digital Juice, Inc. owns and reserves all rights to the Music, except for those specifically granted to you by the license agreement below.

END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT

This is a non-exclusive, non-transferable, single-site license agreement between you and Digital Juice, Inc. Please read this agreement carefully before using the product. If you choose not to accept this agreement, you must return the product unused. By using any piece of the Music, you are agreeing to the following terms:
1. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including, but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal) that is created by YOU provided that production is not then sold or distributed as, or as a part of, a music collection or library. Use of this Music for mass-market retail or distribution requires a separate license that can be purchased by contacting Digital Juice, Inc. at 1.800.525.2203.

2. The Music may not be used in any defamatory, scandalous, illegal, misleading, or otherwise unlawful productions and may not be used in, or in conjunction with, pornographic productions.

3. The Music may not be transferred to third parties through the use of on-line services or networks. Placing the Music on a website is only permitted when being streamed via a format wherein it cannot be illegally downloaded for use (i.e. Flash).

4. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Digital Juice, Inc. and all of its officers, directors, employees, and agents ("Those Indemnified") for any and all losses, damages, liabilities, claims, costs, or expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred directly or indirectly by Those Indemnified in connection with the use of the Music for any unlawful, unauthorized, or prohibited purpose.

5. You may not sell, sublicense, loan, give, or transfer any part of the Music, or a copy thereof, except in accordance with the permitted use in a production created by you. Any attempt to do so will result in criminal prosecution in accordance with copyright laws.
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So what ever you found seems to be out of date. THe above EULA is what all of the DJ products that I have seen have.
So I understand your initial reaction but I think it's based on an old or invalid EULA.
 
Noiz2 said:
So what ever you found seems to be out of date. THe above EULA is what all of the DJ products that I have seen have.
So I understand your initial reaction but I think it's based on an old or invalid EULA.
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The disconcerting thing is that the EULA he linked to is on their site.
It can be found by looking at the Backtraxx 1 collection.
http://www.digitaljuice.com/products/products.asp?pid=1
There is a link there that states: "Royalty-Free End-User License Agreement"

And, oddly enough - I can't seem to find another EULA on their site anywhere.
None of the other products seem to have links to an agreement of any kind.

My guess is that the link on their site is to an old agreement, and the agreement has since been amended.
They seem to not have bothered putting up the new one yet, I guess.

Odd, yes - but I'm not too worried about seeing as the agreement Noiz2 and I posted came straight off the discs themselves.
 
Well that's much more reasonable and in line with most other royalty free licenses I've read.

Still, poor business practices to post the wrong info like that . Though they certainly don't bear the blame alone -- try finding the EULA for software before you buy without a half dozen emails...
 
Anyone know where you could find classical compositions (Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, etc..) as performed by real orchestras or out of license Jazz, and swing music on the web???
 
It may not be the norm....but for at least 75% of the music I need, it's either rock, jazz/fusion, acoustic/folk, etc.

When I need said music (or even friends/collegues) need it, i usually do my own. I have the "luck" of being a 22year guitar veteran (rock/metal), with friends that fill in most other instruments for brass, synth, etc.

That being said, if you want music that's royalty free, you may want to reach out to your city's local music scene. There are always bands out there that are writing good & solid original music that are dying to get their stuff heard.

It's a fair trade....most times you don't have to pay for it...and they get their name out there. There have been bands (signed or not) I've heard in soundtracks...and have gone out looking for them (Nightwish for example) because I **LOVED** what I've heard. Fans of the local scene will often buy films (even if low-budget) to hear their friends' music in a movie. I've seen it happen occasionally.
 
Since I started this I though I would update the outcome.
Nothing definitive. THe EULA on the disks I own is in line with what DJ says the rights issue is. BUT they still have the "incorrect" EULA posted. And there seem to some flavor of this document for other DJ products as well. Since it has been months since this issue started (I missed the first round) and they have made no move to correct the info that is out there And because it's a bit unclear which one applies, though I working on the position that if you have an EULA that shipped with the product that trumps what's on the site. There is no guarantee however that the new sets won't have the posted EULA. Nobody with any authority would comment one way or the other. But to me it speaks volumes that despite moderators and users saying "it's wrong" nobody has taken the two minutes or so it would take to correct the issue.
Until things change I would have to assume that the EULA that you read on their site is the one you will end up with. Which means that DJ products are pretty much useless for ANY commercial use.
 
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