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Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:DYPSS1::SCHAFER
Created:Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2852
Total number of notes:33157

2515.0. "Commusic Demo Tape" by DREGS::BLICKSTEIN (Dave) Mon Dec 10 1990 17:00

    OK, as I suggested in note 10 (around .35) I'm going to being producing
    a collection of product demos (songs/sequences that come with
    synths, samplers, drum machines, etc.) to demonstrate what they can
    do.
    
    OK, here's the deal (keeping it simple):
    
    We should NOT use I/O mail - people ARE getting in trouble for this.
    It's the times...
    
    So I would suggest sending the demos on a C-90 (preferably with
    dolby-B) to
    
    		Dave Blickstein
    		96 Robinson Road
    		Hudson, NH 03051
    
    Please enclosed return postage (I think it's 85 cents) cause when I've
    got a C-90 full, I'll just copy it onto the submission tapes.
    
    Please be sure to indicate the NR used AND... of course.... the piece
    of equipement that the demo is for.  I'd like to suggest that you add
    NO audio processing (no reverb or anything like that).   I think most
    people's interest is to hear what the thing can do on its own.
    
    Also, if you're gonna send me something - please post a note in this
    topic so that no one sends duplicates.
    
    I think we'll end up with surprisingly listenable tape - I already have
    taken the master out in the car a few times.  I *LIKE* many of these
    tunes.
    
    It's really neat how some of them try to demonstrate so many different
    styles (rock, jazz, classical) and in so doing, manage to segue all
    those different styles together into one coherent piece.
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2515.1What I already haveDREGS::BLICKSTEINDaveMon Dec 10 1990 17:0310
    I already have demos for:
    
    	Ensoniq VFX-SD  "East" and "West" demos (there are more)
    	Ensoniq ESQ-1
    	ENSONIQ SQ-80
    	Proteus 1
    	Roland U-220
    
    Hey'll I'll put the U-220 and the Proteus back-to-back for head-on
    competition.  ;-)
2515.2Other units that are already coveredDREGS::BLICKSTEINDaveMon Dec 10 1990 17:077
    I'm also expecting:
    
    		EMAX demos from Karl Moeller
    
    		Roland R-8 demos from  JC Cooper
    
    		Korg M-1 demos from Errol Phillips
2515.3Proteus 1 same demo as Proteus/XR?ROBOT::RYENRick Ryen 240-6501 AET1-1/A6Mon Dec 10 1990 17:595
Is the demo for the Proteus 1 the same as the one for the Proteus/XR.
If not, I can supply the demo for the XR.

Let me know,
Rick
2515.4speaking of doing things correctly...LNGBCH::STEWARTInstant gratification takes 2 long!Mon Dec 10 1990 20:2814







	So, who's going to ask the manufacturers for permission to
	redistribute their work?




2515.5Looking at this pragmatically...DREGS::BLICKSTEINDaveTue Dec 11 1990 09:1624
    >        So, who's going to ask the manufacturers for permission to
    >        redistribute their work?
    
    This is one of those cases where I think a little judgement and
    common sense comes into play.
    
    These works are used to promote products - it's hard to imagine any
    company being terribly upset and "redistributing" something that
    has the effect and INTENT to promote products.
    
    My interest in distributing these is to get an opportunity to hear
    products.  
    
    Besides, I've always insisted that if we keep this very informal, and
    no one takes a profit on it, the risk well below that of other things
    we do in here (like negative reviews of products, dealers and so on).
    
    However, as an experienced moderator I respect Mr. Stewart's concern.
    Does anyone else really think this is going to cause a problem.
    
    	db
    
    p.s.  It feels SO good to be on the "Aw c'mon, what's the risk" side
    	  of the fence for a change.
2515.6DCSVAX::COTECan't touch this...Tue Dec 11 1990 11:068
    SET MODE=NOMOD
    
    > Does anyone else really think this is going to cause a problem?
    
    No more than covering a copyrighted tune, which, if I remember
    correctly, you were pretty adamant about not doing.
    
    Edd 
2515.7ready for the Ex-Lax now....LNGBCH::STEWARTInstant gratification takes 2 long!Tue Dec 11 1990 11:1713

       re: .5

       Yeah, it's funny to be on this side of this fence, too...I don't
       like it, let somebody else be the hall monitor...  Why not just
       call the marketing guys and get them to send you a letter?  You
       know marketing guys; they'll give away the store if they think
       there's a possible sale.

       I'll even volunteer to call Yamaha.  They're in my area code.
       How should we phrase this request?
       
2515.8questionsVICE::JANZENTom MLO21-4/E10 223-5140Tue Dec 11 1990 12:034
	Do these demos  use protected recently written popular tunes?
	That would be enough for me to cancel the project.
	I won't say why, that might be interpreted as practicing law.
Tom
2515.9Roland D5PRNSYS::LOMICKAJJeffrey A. LomickaTue Dec 11 1990 12:206
I'll send the four Roland D5 demo tunes.  They are fun tunes - but I
can't imagine how they got the D5 to do them.

BTW, The manual includes copyright information on the demo tunes, which
I will include with the tape.

2515.10These are in essence 'commercials'DREGS::BLICKSTEINDaveTue Dec 11 1990 13:0525
>    No more than covering a copyrighted tune, which, if I remember
>    correctly, you were pretty adamant about not doing.
    
    Edd, do you seriously think that the risk is about the same as a
    copyrighted tune.
    
    I mean, to my way of thinking, it's like saying that Coke is just as
    likely to get upset for putting copies of Coke commercials on
    Commusic tapes without authorization as Paul McCartney would be
    for covering one of his tunes without permission.
    
    The significant difference is that Coke does not even ATTEMPT to try to 
    derive any revenue from the copyrights, whereas Paul McCartney's 
    (on any other songwriter's) living depends largely on copyrights.
    
    Doesn't that difference seem significant?  I thought covering Beatles
    tunes represented a danger to ME and I was not willing to take the
    risk.  I'm willing to take the personal risk for the demos tapes, but
    NO ONE can presume to take the risk on behalf of DEC.
    
    Have I convinced you?
    
    If there are enough people who think this is dangerous, I won't do it.
    I don't have the time to persue authorization from each company.
    
2515.11no effects pleaseRICKS::NORCROSSTue Dec 11 1990 13:064
To make fair  comparisons,  none  of  the  demos should be recorded using
external effects.  Right?

/Mitch
2515.12Yes - BONE dry pleaseDREGS::BLICKSTEINDaveTue Dec 11 1990 13:1015
    
    > To make fair  comparisons,  none  of  the  demos should be recorded
    > using external effects.  Right?
    
    Right, in fact, I've addressed that:
     
    .0> I'd like to suggest that you add NO audio processing (no reverb or
    .0> anything like that).   I think most people's interest is to hear what
    .0> the thing can do on its own.
    
    To Tom Janzen:
    
    None of the demos I've ever come across used any excerpts from popular
    songs (least none popular enough for me to have heard and recognized
    them as such).
2515.13On using 0db reference tonesBDREGS::BLICKSTEINDaveTue Dec 11 1990 13:1422
    BTW, one suggestion that goes for any application where your copying
    tapes:
    
    When possible, it's a good idea to put a 0db reference tone on the
    tape to be copied.
    
    That is, just have your synth put out some constant sound (like an
    organ) and record it such that the needle stays right on 0db.
    
    Then when the person goes to copy it, he just plays the tape and sets
    the recording decks levels so that it also is at 0db.
    
    The main point being that if you've taken the time and care to get
    your levels right on the master, you might as well do whatever you
    can to help ensure that the guy making the copy will get it right too.
    
    Of course, lots of folks having dubbing decks, and most of those decks
    don't allow you to adjust levels when dubbing.
    
    Anyway, I won't reject any tape that comes in w/o a 0db reference.  I
    just thought it's a technique a lot of people don't know about and
    might find useful in their work.
2515.14Not an R8, but an R5...GSRC::COOPERMIDI Rack PukeTue Dec 11 1990 14:1123
>>>                 <<< Note 2515.2 by DREGS::BLICKSTEIN "Dave" >>>
>>>                   -< Other units that are already covered >-
>>>
>>>    I'm also expecting:
>>>    
>>>    		EMAX demos from Karl Moeller
>>>    
>>>    		Roland R-8 demos from  JC Cooper
>>>    
>>>    		Korg M-1 demos from Errol Phillips
>>>
    
    
    Correction Dave, just a nit but I will be supplying the demo from a
    Roland *R5*, the little bro to the R8 (which I'm sure has more
    capabilities).  Thought I ought to point it out.  
     
    Also, RE: .Last
    
    I don't think I can do the 0db reference, since it's basically a drum
    machine.  It *IS* a nifty tune though, hope you like it !
    
    jc
2515.15Roland R8 Cards -- Need em Need em Got em Need emDWOVAX::ROSENBERGDamn Good Coffee ... and HOT!Wed Dec 12 1990 10:377
       I have an Roland R8m with several soundcards and would be willing to
   send some of the demos, if you don't already have someone to do this.  
   The "Ethnic Percussion" demo is "WAY COOL".  

       Let me know.

Ken
2515.16Another "drink" for the synthaholics...ALEX::CONNAlex Conn, ZKOWed Dec 12 1990 12:2323
Sorry for practicing a slight bit of law, but IMHO,

If:

1. We consider COMMUSIC to be a club with identifiable members,

2. We do not sell the tapes (we only sell the blanks for no profit, which
have the stuff recorded free on to them),

3. Any stuff used is not sold for a profit by the company that originally
distributed it (postage and handling are not considered profits), and

4. We completely identify and credit the source of the stuff

I can't understand what the beef would be. 

It might help to have the program notes on the tape itself and have them
explain that the project was done to help provide members better access to 
demonstration materials in support of the companies.  They really don't
want to prevent us from being even more motivated to buy their equipment
do they?

Alex
2515.17Anotehr R-8M - Maybe Between Us We've Got It CoveredDRUMS::FEHSKENSlen, EMA, LKG2-2/W10, DTN 226-7556Wed Dec 12 1990 12:258
    re .15 - I was going to kick in the demos from the 5 R-8 cards I
    have...
    
    I think there may be a JX-10 demo in the M-16C cartridge I've never
    used...
    
    len.
    
2515.18as an asideMIDIOT::POWERSI Dream of Wires - G. NumanWed Dec 12 1990 12:498
     I had the TV on to either ch 50 or ch 9 in NH, and a commercial for
Derrels music came on. And they had a drum pattern going for background
commercial music, and I said to myself, gee, that sounds familiar somehow.
I think they were using one of the demo factory set patterns in an HR16.


Bill Powers
2515.19How about EPS samplesPAULJ::HARRIMANopen mouth, insert action itemWed Dec 12 1990 16:309

	I probably have a whole tape's worth of EPS demos - they come with
	every Ensoniq sample disk. You're welcome to a bunch of them. Some are
	much better than others. None are identifiable by me as "popular"
	tunes (exception - the harpsichord demo is the Addams Family theme,
	and the pipe organ was Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor).

	/pjh
2515.20They found him... buried under a pile of Ensoniq demos!DREGS::BLICKSTEINDaveWed Dec 12 1990 17:1928
    Zikes!
    
    It sounds like I may be innundated with demos!  I sure hope that
    one can't get cancer from chromium oxide fumes.  ;-)
    
    I'm tempted to do some editing, but in truth I would think that even
    if there is a demo for each Roland R-8 card, or each Ensoniq sample
    disk that even while you may not need 16 EPS demos to make a decision
    on the EPS, you might find it useful to have a demo for each card to
    decide which ones you want.
    
    So, I'll crank them out as best as I can.  (We should have a contest
    for best demo in several categories: sound quality, musicality, etc.).
    
    One thing though, in deference to you copyright-rule-mongers: ;-) ;-)
    
    		Please no one take any offense at that epithet.
    		I just find it wonderfully refreshing to be on
    		the other side for a change
    
    I'd be disinclined to put anything on the tape which might easily and
    obviously be used to take samples from.  I reserve judgement on what
    that means.   Frankly, MY interest in this is hearing what these
    suckers can do in a musical context (as well as sorta an interest in
    the music as well) and it's hard to lift samples from a musical context
    (unless you're into rap I suppose).
    
    This could be fun.
2515.21more..GLOWS::COCCOLImonitoring realityWed Dec 12 1990 18:019
    
    
      I'll contribute D110 demos. I presume they are different from
    the D5.
    
    
    
    
    RichC
2515.22DREGS::BLICKSTEINDaveThu Dec 13 1990 08:494
    Actually, it occurs to me that I already have a copy of the D-110 demos
    that I could use.
    
    	db
2515.23Korg T2NIOMAX::LAINGSoft-Core Cuddler*Jim Laing*282-1476Tue Jan 01 1991 22:393
    I can supply the Korg T2 demos ...
    
    -Jim
2515.24Technics KN-800?NIOMAX::LAINGSoft-Core Cuddler*Jim Laing*282-1476Tue Jan 01 1991 22:414
    ... and the Technics KN-800 demos (a less-often seen keyboard, don't
    know how much interest there'd be in these ...)(
    
    	-Jim
2515.25MR4DEC::MFORBESWindows are panes in the glassMon Jan 14 1991 20:127
Hate to be another stick in the mud, but the only way that I could imagine
a company might be a little unhappy about this project is knowing that their
demos might appear in close 'proximity' to another products demos such that
a comparison could be made too easily.  And a company might be inclined to
legally object based on the fact that they feel their product is 'inferior'
to another and the context of the demo therefore lost them some business.
And given the economic climate of late... I'd be careful...