Hello everyone. My first post here. Just bought my PX about 4 weeks ago.
What is the general rule on uploading samples to the forum? For instance, if I sample my Moog, or Roli Seaboard (Equator), and upload it here for the forum, is it a violation of copyrights for the respective companies?
I have alot to contribute, but certainly don't want any legal issues...
Thanks!
Unfortunately, nobody can give you iron-clad advice that guarantees you won’t be hassled over a perceived violation. Someone can decide to sue you because they don’t like the color of your shoes, they’re just not likely to win on the merits of that particular case. So it all comes down to risk assessment on your part...
Take the time to read and understand the terms under which a given instrument is licensed. Generally speaking, using a sampled instrument to produce a sample library is likely to violate the spirit and language of the license. After all, they don’t want you re-selling their samples and cutting them out. Even Mellotron tapes are copyrighted recordings in their own right, so replicating them is sketchy territory with some attached legal risk.
Sampling an acoustic instrument or analog synth is generally fair game, because there no way to assert a copyright on the sound it produces when it is utterly variable without a protected underlying recording. The raw square / triangle / sawtooth waves may be produced by patented means, but their raw output almost certainly doesn’t constitute a performance covered by copyright law. You may still want to ensure that you’re not using someone else’s trademark for commercial purposes, however, so the name of the instrument can be tricky.
Wavetables are an interesting middle ground where I’m not aware of specific precedent. Again, reading the licensing terms that the instrument ships with is probably your best bet.
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and this does not constitute legal advice. I simply do my best to stay informed and respect the works of other creative professionals.
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