Resources For Spoken Word Artists

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Review of Online Music Production Websites

We’ve been reviewing websites that sell beats and have arrived at some alarming conclusions. We are still big fans of Trackmasterz. Trackmasterz DOES NOT use sampling for the obvious legal ramifications. Good job guys. However, their competitors do. Many of the online beat sellers use samples that may or may not be cleared. This is common among sites that allow users to register without screening them. Such sites include Beatswagger.com, Givemebeats.com, Thebeattrader.com, Buythatbeat.com, and a host of others. We listened to a beat called ‘Money’ on Buythatbeat.com that clearly used a sample from the O’Jays ‘For The Love of Money’. Luckily that was an easy one to spot. However, what happens when you can’t hear the sample? If the producer does not specify that a sample was used in the description of the beat there is no way for the buyers to know. This could spell lawsuit for potential buyers if they hit the big time.

Luckily, not all music production websites adopt such practices.  For example, Trackmasterz does not allow the general public to upload beats as the above mentioned sites and they do not allow sampling.  In addition, the Trackmasterz producers have discographies that include artists such as Nas, Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Common, Akon, and others.  Their producers have experience, talent, and credibility.  Most importantly, Trackmasterz  does not allow John Doe or Jane Doe to register as a user and upload his or her beats to sell to you.  Before you buy online check the credibility of your online music production websites and make sure there are no samples.  If all else fails, look for a website similar to Trackmasterz.  Such sites do not offer as many tracks, but the tracks they do offer are pro quality, radio ready, and not sampled.  In short, such websites are a safe bet, provide great quality, and ORIGINAL BEATS!

May 2, 2008 Posted by Charlene | Blogroll, Music for Spoken Word, spoken word | , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments