I feel the same way. I think so long as it's not compulsory, though, I'm fine with this sort of measure. It gets people off the RIAA's list (we hope), and the artists get paid.
Regarding what others have said about who will get the lion's share of the profits after the record executives; it's up to the listeners. If you want a particular artist payed, download the song constantly or do whatever it takes to get those numbers up for your favorite band. It's not hard to figure out a way to work the system.
-j
As someone that has worked the hell(p) desk and done much end user support (haven't we all), please teach the kids some computer skills. Typing will naturally follow.
When I started with PeeCees, I was a hunt-and-peck sort of fellow. Now I can touch-type with the most average of them at ~40 WPM.
And when I say computer skills, Word and Excel and Powerpoint are great, but an entry level PC Troubleshooting and Maintenance class would just rock. I know that I would have been there, at least.
I really, really like this system. It sounds a lot like what I have been trying to articulate in my head for a long time. I think systems like this would be huge for independant artists.
The only flaw I see in this is that a lot of bands out there are trying to get a big, 'ol piece of pie. They want the fame and fortune. That is what the music industry (as it stands) is all about now; making stars. Add to that the simple fact that most bands I know are simply too lazy or uneducated (to help themselves) to do exactly what you have outlined.
What I would like to see, along with what you have outlined, is a label that acts more like a service provider for those that cannot or will not perform certain business functions. Say, a band that will not or cannot promote themselves very well or at all. They might benefit from a little help. A light, mutually beneficial contract from a small company out there to actually enable and assist artists would be huge, I think.
The tech for recording your music is not necessarily cheap, but attainable. Digital Multitrack recorders offer error correction, the ability to splice into tracks, and multitudes of other features. It is the next big purchase slated for my band.
Wanna use some vintage amps without selling your soul to the vintage market? Grab something out of Line 6's catalog. Their emulation amps are unbelievably accurate. Some of the more complicated amps offer amp, speaker, and even microphone emulation to get the sound you want. Pretty cool tech.
The only problem left to resolve is where to record. You don't want the crappy acoustics in your living room or basement to ruin your masterpiece. So, recording studios are still important from that perspective, but less of a barrier overall.:)
I could not have said things any better. Steve Albini can, though.
http://www.negativland.com/albini.html.
I know this article has been posed numerous times, but perhaps it just needs some more circulation.
That's right, I write as I speak. I used vernacular in my writing, and I had typos. Geez, now I wish I were writing in an informal setting.
Oh... wait...
I am gonna hate myself later for feeding a troll, but here I go anyway.
Computer are not evil machines out to make us all lazy writers. Lazy writers are born, not made. Attention spans are short because anything that does not get quickyl to the point is a waste of time as dictated by modern society.
I have written lots, and I am trying to figure out what is so physical about writing. I don't know about you , but the last essay I wrote whil jogging looked like shit.;) That's like saying writers that used word processors are somehow retarded in their writing abilities. Simply not true.
I find that writing on a computer allows me to randomly throw down a few ideas and then rapidly edit them into order. I find this better than planning on paper since cut and paste does not work so well. Any other type of writing frustrates me with error correction methods.
Anyway, the tools that are now avaiable for use (blogs, wikki, forum software) have multitudes of uses, and I would have loved it if they had been available when I was in school. I can think of dozens of writing exercises for which these programs are perfect. Tools are only as useless as you allow them to be. Besides, computers are more entrenched in the world than they ever have been. I think it'd give the kids a leg up to incorporate them as much as possible.
The blueprints for a better world written on a postage stamp no one bothered to read the front just stick out their tounges to lick the back -NoFX
The infidels have stolen our code. We have evidence that this is true. Pay no attention to changing stories as we believe this is propaganda distributed by the infidels to mislead you. Pay no attention to the buyout in the corner...
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I feel the same way. I think so long as it's not compulsory, though, I'm fine with this sort of measure. It gets people off the RIAA's list (we hope), and the artists get paid.
Regarding what others have said about who will get the lion's share of the profits after the record executives; it's up to the listeners. If you want a particular artist payed, download the song constantly or do whatever it takes to get those numbers up for your favorite band. It's not hard to figure out a way to work the system. -j
As someone that has worked the hell(p) desk and done much end user support (haven't we all), please teach the kids some computer skills. Typing will naturally follow.
When I started with PeeCees, I was a hunt-and-peck sort of fellow. Now I can touch-type with the most average of them at ~40 WPM.
And when I say computer skills, Word and Excel and Powerpoint are great, but an entry level PC Troubleshooting and Maintenance class would just rock. I know that I would have been there, at least.
I really, really like this system. It sounds a lot like what I have been trying to articulate in my head for a long time. I think systems like this would be huge for independant artists. The only flaw I see in this is that a lot of bands out there are trying to get a big, 'ol piece of pie. They want the fame and fortune. That is what the music industry (as it stands) is all about now; making stars. Add to that the simple fact that most bands I know are simply too lazy or uneducated (to help themselves) to do exactly what you have outlined. What I would like to see, along with what you have outlined, is a label that acts more like a service provider for those that cannot or will not perform certain business functions. Say, a band that will not or cannot promote themselves very well or at all. They might benefit from a little help. A light, mutually beneficial contract from a small company out there to actually enable and assist artists would be huge, I think.
The tech for recording your music is not necessarily cheap, but attainable. Digital Multitrack recorders offer error correction, the ability to splice into tracks, and multitudes of other features. It is the next big purchase slated for my band.
:)
Wanna use some vintage amps without selling your soul to the vintage market? Grab something out of Line 6's catalog. Their emulation amps are unbelievably accurate. Some of the more complicated amps offer amp, speaker, and even microphone emulation to get the sound you want. Pretty cool tech.
The only problem left to resolve is where to record. You don't want the crappy acoustics in your living room or basement to ruin your masterpiece. So, recording studios are still important from that perspective, but less of a barrier overall.
I could not have said things any better. Steve Albini can, though. http://www.negativland.com/albini.html. I know this article has been posed numerous times, but perhaps it just needs some more circulation.
you know, Lars is more industry man, now, than musician. Twisted and evil.
Lars has been the guy that runs the business of Metallica from day one. Get it? He runs the business side of the band.
That's right, I write as I speak. I used vernacular in my writing, and I had typos. Geez, now I wish I were writing in an informal setting. Oh... wait...
I am gonna hate myself later for feeding a troll, but here I go anyway.
;) That's like saying writers that used word processors are somehow retarded in their writing abilities. Simply not true.
Computer are not evil machines out to make us all lazy writers. Lazy writers are born, not made. Attention spans are short because anything that does not get quickyl to the point is a waste of time as dictated by modern society.
I have written lots, and I am trying to figure out what is so physical about writing. I don't know about you , but the last essay I wrote whil jogging looked like shit.
I find that writing on a computer allows me to randomly throw down a few ideas and then rapidly edit them into order. I find this better than planning on paper since cut and paste does not work so well. Any other type of writing frustrates me with error correction methods.
Anyway, the tools that are now avaiable for use (blogs, wikki, forum software) have multitudes of uses, and I would have loved it if they had been available when I was in school. I can think of dozens of writing exercises for which these programs are perfect. Tools are only as useless as you allow them to be. Besides, computers are more entrenched in the world than they ever have been. I think it'd give the kids a leg up to incorporate them as much as possible.
The blueprints for a better world
written on a postage stamp
no one bothered to read the front
just stick out their tounges to lick the back
-NoFX
Al Gore claims prior art to Jeff Bezos' claim. Have a nice day!
Yeah this GM food is fantastic, and that third arm is coming in real handy in the chat rooms. ;)
The infidels have stolen our code. We have evidence that this is true. Pay no attention to changing stories as we believe this is propaganda distributed by the infidels to mislead you. Pay no attention to the buyout in the corner...