I'm about to make my final decision whether to go back to cds 100% or go 100% MP3

[Creature]

leading on from the debate of the new produb licences i have a few questions/decitions to make hopefully someone here can answer them for me.

I am going to go one way or the other but for me not cost effective to run both side by side so.... especially if you have to pay for the cds and then this licence on top.

1. Is there a site that I can legally download old mp3's from mainly classic rock, rock n roll, glam, soul, etc (as if I decide to go down the MP3 route will sell of all my cds to fund the move).

I dont do much modern stuff, but what I do I can download legally most of it. But the older stuff seems harder to get......

2. Has anyone done any gigs in marquees 100% digitally (denon or cortex) any issues especially in winter time ??

3. we know Probub are monitoring posts on this forum, but I wonder is it going to go the way of teh other licence which also was a fiasco !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Danno13]

1. Is there a site that I can legally download old mp3's from mainly classic rock, rock n roll, glam, soul, etc (as if I decide to go down the MP3 route will sell of all my cds to fund the move).

I dont do much modern stuff, but what I do I can download legally most of it. But the older stuff seems harder to get......

Napster and iTunes both have a good selection of older music as well as current stuff. Remember that the license works out at 5p per track (or much less if you buy a bigger allowance, and before mid-August), whereas downloads are 79p per track. So to make it cost effective you'd have to sell every cd you have for a minimum of 74p per track on the CD.. so thats about £30 per compilation CD, which ain't going to happen!


2. Has anyone done any gigs in marquees 100% digitally (denon or cortex) any issues especially in winter time ??

I've used a PC system in hot and cold for 4 years most weekends without any issues. Obviously can't speak for HDD controllers as they're not really tried & tested yet, being new technology. However, I'm sure they'd be ok, as they're purpose built.


3. we know Probub are monitoring posts on this forum, but I wonder is it going to go the way of teh other licence which also was a fiasco !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The other license was a fiasco because it didn't actually cover the act of ripping the CD. This one is workable and covers you, so I can't personally see it going the same way.

[Excalibur]

I'm sorry I can't give you any solid gold advice on you circumstances, which are obviously slightly different to mine, but I could not countenance going back to CD's in any way. For the limited amount of children's disco's I do, it's almost worth the licence fee just for the ease with which I can find the requests the little darlings fire at me like tracer bullets! ;) :D
Q1 I have no idea. I'm going to refrain from recommending download sites, after the last fiasco. :o :o :o
Q2 No. As soon as I have any knowledge of this scenario, I will post it.
Q3 Pass. :D

[501damian501]

stick to cds or why not drag the vinyls out and be a proper dj not a digital mouse lmao

[CRAZY K]

Steve, my understanding from reading on here is that if you pay for the inital transfer of tracks in year ONE --after that any downloads that are ripped from I tunes or Napster to CD dont need a year 2 Licence.

So you could use a few CDs for any newer material you acquire--using a small portable CD player through the mixer.

Thats something that you would need to check out for yourself---thats only my personal understanding--maybe someone else has that officially confirmed?

I agree with Peter, theres no going back --but then we do use Mini Discs so need Year One Licence anyway.;)

CRAZY K

[Shaun]

CDs'...they're the future. Forget all this digital malarkey!!

Regards

Shaun (4 gigs in, using CDs again)

[nigelwright7557]

CDs'...they're the future. Forget all this digital malarkey!!

Regards

Shaun (4 gigs in, using CDs again)

I am just glad this new license came out before I bought a laptop.
Happy to feed CD's in all night, I would just get bored otherwise.

I have tried MP3 players but as soon as the requests start coming in I revert back to CD's so I just use CD's now.

[rob1963]

CDs'...they're the future.

Indeed.....just like videos are!

:rolleyes:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

And laser discs...

[Creature]

Steve, my understanding from reading on here is that if you pay for the initial transfer of tracks in year ONE --after that any downloads that are ripped from I tunes or Napster to CD don't need a year 2 License.

if this could be confirmed 100% by Produb team (whose registration here must be completed by now) could indeed be a way forward, as long as they explain in very basic English how its gonna work.

So far there answers to many questions just don't make sense or they give standard answers that don't answer the questions

[andyw]

that is right,buy the license in year 1 convert your cd's,that will be cheaper than selling your cd's and downloading all the tracks.not 100% sure of the best way after that myself,they say they might be bringing in smaller amounts next year,if they are then they should let us know now so we can plan the best way forward ,at the moment i am confused which way to go.

[pagan_flame]

if this could be confirmed 100% by Produb team (whos registration here must be completed by now) could indeed be a way forward, as long as they explain in very basic english how its gonna work.

So far there answers to many questions just dont make sence or they give standard answers that dont answer the questions

OK me ol' mate, here's my bit (and how I'm doing it):

1. Buy the ProDub for as many tracks as you have currently COPIED onto the hard drive you use for gigs - but in that total DO NOT include legally downloaded MP3's that you HAVEN'T copied. This covers you for year one.

If you ONLY then add on legally downloaded MP3's WITHOUT copying them, you DO NOT have to buy another licence. If you copy just one track from CD in the next year, however, you have to get another one @ £250.

So I'm getting one - when my Digital DJ expires - and just adding in new stuff downloaded from Napster after that, which at 79p a track on Napster Light will be much cheaper than an additional licence each year.

I have had this 100% confirmed from ProDub themselves - however nobody can tell me what to do about my PPL Digital DJ licence that doesn't run out until September!

2. Get a laptop like I told you to in the first place... however there is no way ever I would go do a weekender in a marquee without a back up system (OK OK I have a backup mixer, laptop, CD decks, CD walkman and a minidisc player always with me --- so maybe my fourfold backup is a bit over the top considering I've never had failure on laptop or CD decks yet...) ;)

3. Probably. :rolleyes:

[CRAZY K]

OK me ol' mate, here's my bit (and how I'm doing it):

1. Buy the ProDub for as many tracks as you have currently COPIED onto the hard drive you use for gigs - but in that total DO NOT include legally downloaded MP3's that you HAVEN'T copied. This covers you for year one.

If you ONLY then add on legally downloaded MP3's WITHOUT copying them, you DO NOT have to buy another licence. If you copy just one track from CD in the next year, however, you have to get another one @ £250.

So I'm getting one - when my Digital DJ expires - and just adding in new stuff downloaded from Napster after that, which at 79p a track on Napster Light will be much cheaper than an additional licence each year.

I have had this 100% confirmed from ProDub themselves - however nobody can tell me what to do about my PPL Digital DJ licence that doesn't run out until September!

2. Get a laptop like I told you to in the first place... however there is no way ever I would go do a weekender in a marquee without a back up system (OK OK I have a backup mixer, laptop, CD decks, CD walkman and a minidisc player always with me --- so maybe my fourfold backup is a bit over the top considering I've never had failure on laptop or CD decks yet...) ;)

3. Probably. :rolleyes:

Malcolm, when you spoke to Pro Dub--did you ask them about burning a CD from a legal download like Napster or I tunes?

I think there was an opinion that you wouldnt need a licence for that--

Any idea if that is true?

If not ill ring them --I have bought a licence:mad:

regards

CRAZY K

[pagan_flame]

Malcolm, when you spoke to Pro Dub--did you ask them about burning a CD from a legal download like Napster or I tunes?

I think there was an opinion that you wouldnt need a licence for that--

Any idea if that is true?

If not ill ring them --I have bought a licence:mad:

regards

CRAZY K

Yes I do know - that is a format shift and does require a licence.

The only way to skip annual renewal is to buy only legal downloads and transfer them straight to your playout hard drive WITHOUT copying, i.e. just cut and paste across.

[Boogie Boy]

Erm, what isn't copying about cut and paste, unless you really want to leave yourself wide open to total loss of the tracks through having no back-up copies????

[Penfold42]

I have bought a licence:mad:

Welcome to the club.......:D

[CRAZY K]

Yes I do know - that is a format shift and does require a licence.

The only way to skip annual renewal is to buy only legal downloads and transfer them straight to your playout hard drive WITHOUT copying, i.e. just cut and paste across.

Thats contrary to what was advised before.

Has that all been confirmed on the web site or over the phone?

CRAZY K

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

It doesn't need a licence.

The licence comes with whichever download service you are using. It says, you may burn to xxx of times on the licence which you pay for when you buy the track.

[KaraokeDJ]

2. Has anyone done any gigs in marquees 100% digitally (denon or cortex) any issues especially in winter time ??

On another issue between CDs and Digital (PC or Controllers) in Marquees (and other venues with bouncey/unstable/uneven floors - the digital formats don't suffer jumping/skipping that some CD players encounter.

Go digital!!!!!

[Creature]

Taff why would i need a laptop the cortex works perfectly :):)

still well confused

you shell out £250.00 plus vat for 5000 files - they send u a card or something - you dont convert anymore after the 1st year - are they gonna send you another card free of charge ??? or they just give you an open ended date on teh card that will be open to fraud.

after looking round many of the legal sites am unlikel;y to be able to obtain 85% of the music I want - just liek all the cds released from teh lieks of dmc & mastermix etc

still not sure if gonna be value to buy this licence for teh conversion - as if i buy legal mp3s and the unit/harddrive goes down on a gig im not gonna be able to play a lot of teh more modern stuff that i would need. now if the fee was 100.00 inc vat would almost certainly buy teh cds and convert - as im not in an areas of £150.00 plus a nite bookings and often only make about £15.00 - £20.00 profit per booking gonna take an aweful lot of booking to pay for - especially as now the first 30 bookings just about cover current costs !! and as i only average around 40 bookings a year wondering if its all gonna be worth it.

one thing i no this has started to take all the fun and enjoyment out of djing

[Creature]

another thing i have a load of cds from non comercial bands/artists and often use them at sutable bookings with there permision not only to play them but to convert them - would those still need to be licenced ? i dont see why a steh artists wouldnt see any of the money.

Maybe sometime (dream on) someone will put all the relevent details in basic english so everyone can understand them !

[Excalibur]

another thing i have a load of cds from non comercial bands/artists and often use them at sutable bookings with there permision not only to play them but to convert them - would those still need to be licenced ? i dont see why a steh artists wouldnt see any of the money.

Maybe sometime (dream on) someone will put all the relevent details in basic english so everyone can understand them !

I await that day with eager anticipation. ( But I'm not holding my breath.;) ;) )
Creature, I hope you come to a decision which suits you. All I can say, and I stress this is a presonal view, is that I could never go back to CD's after a few Digital weeks. The big reasons I went Digital were the physical space occupied by my CD boxes at gigs, and the fact that I couldn't guarantee finding a track in time. I disagree with most of the details of the new licence, but will get one soon, as I have little choice. Not a perfect solution, but acceptable. Good luck in your decision making process.

[jimboylan]

I decided against the license, I always carried my CDs with me for backup purposes anyway.
Now I just use the CDs and downloads.
I have pretty much stopped buying CDs and only buy the tracks I want.
I'm currently building up a database of which tracks are on which CDs so I can still use the lappy to find tracks in seconds.

Jim

[Creature]

right ive read thru the produb website and comments on this forum - now lts see if my perception here is correct ??

1. You dont need this licence if you download your tracks from a legal website

a. this is great if correct providing you can get the tracks you want from these websites !

b. why bother paying for a licence when those tracks I cant by legally when I have already paid for them when buying the cd - i might as well as keep them in that format and use both.

2. theres still no resolution as to whats gonna happen to your id card after it expires as even they dont know whats gonna happen.

3. apparently you can contact them and they will give you a valid card even tho you are running legal without it - apparently so that if venues say you must have this card you can show them - no one also knows if this is gonna be free

4. For the time being I am gonna delete all my mp3 files and just purchase the tracks I need online as much as I can - and then use cds for the rest. As I have understood this is then 100% legal !

At the moment I dont see the point in having this licence when there are too many questions that cannot be answered by the people who are running it - and too many pitfulls that could leave you open to charges. I will look again at this next year if they have got there act together.

Went out last night after deleting all my mp3's taken from original cds and just had the ones that I have brought from mp3 sites and used mainly original cds - result happy bunny a few tracks I didnt have will see if I can buy them online in next few days. and some requests for current chart stuff - will talk to Mrs Creature about that if we agree could be popular will buy them as well.

In all honesty it was a great night for me - found tracks on cds taht I forgot I had - and peopel coming up saying a great selection of music and some tunes they really liked but not heard played at a disco for a long while.

Result Im pretty happy, but Produb wont be getting a penny of me :):) so they probally not gonna be happy. (just hope my perceptions above are legally correct)

For the 1 venue so far that say djs need this licence to play there, tough luck I dont get offers of many gigs there infact after explaing to the 2 customers who enquired about booking me, they have cancelled there bookings at that venue and booked elsewhere and booked me ...:):)


I'm currently building up a database of which tracks are on which CDs so I can still use the lappy to find tracks in seconds. we have 2 databases one for mp3s other for cds works pretty good. Altho the wifes working on a spreadsheet with search facilaties in exel thats more streamlined for our needs :):)

[jimboylan]

What is the venue that requires you to show the license and how can they check if you haven't already paid for one as the purchased list part of the site isn't live yet?
My brother is a landlord and took over a pub that had new license issued at the beginning of the month and neither he nor his area manager know anything about it yet.

Jim

[CRAZY K]

Steve, my understanding from reading on here is that if you pay for the inital transfer of tracks in year ONE --after that any downloads that are ripped from I tunes or Napster to CD dont need a year 2 Licence.

So you could use a few CDs for any newer material you acquire--using a small portable CD player through the mixer.

Thats something that you would need to check out for yourself---thats only my personal understanding--maybe someone else has that officially confirmed?

I agree with Peter, theres no going back --but then we do use Mini Discs so need Year One Licence anyway.;)

CRAZY K

Steve, After Darrens post 18---

It doesn't need a licence.

The licence comes with whichever download service you are using. It says, you may burn to xxx of times on the licence which you pay for when you buy the track.

Its back to my plan A---buy the licence Year one--bite the bullet--ouch!

Done that got the T shirt:thumbs_up:

Year two download from legal sites only and use Cortex to save lugging cases of CDs --and use only original CDs for top up music on a small CD player rather than rip on to Hard drive.

Make sure you copy ALL relevant Cds in year one.

How on earth the Pro dub people are going to monitor this is beyond my understanding---

CRAZY K

[CRAZY K]

I am just glad this new license came out before I bought a laptop.
Happy to feed CD's in all night, I would just get bored otherwise.

I have tried MP3 players but as soon as the requests start coming in I revert back to CD's so I just use CD's now.

Nigel get a demo on a USB reader.

You really dont know what your missing:D :D :D

CRAZY K

[Excalibur]

Nigel get a demo on a USB reader.

You really dont know what your missing:D :D :D

CRAZY K

There is no way on God's green earth I am ever going back to CD playout as a main system! The jury is out on what will happen next, but I could foresee getting the new Numark as a main system, and relegating the Cortex. ( Or vice versa? ) Or perhaps a new Cortex may come out, which would fill that role? Who knows? The only thing set in stone is the Cortex is not going on to download only! After the blood sweat and tears I have invested in ripping 90% of my collection, I am not going to waste that effort. ;) ;)

[theoloyla]

It doesn't need a licence.

The licence comes with whichever download service you are using. It says, you may burn to xxx of times on the licence which you pay for when you buy the track.
BUT ONLY FOR DOMESTIC USE!

[CRAZY K]

BUT ONLY FOR DOMESTIC USE!

And for the record that is defined as ------

Thanks

CRAZY K

[theoloyla]

And for the record that is defined as ------

Thanks

CRAZY K
In your own home? Certainly not for monetary gain.

[CRAZY K]

In your own home? Certainly not for monetary gain.

So your buying a pro dub licence as well ?

PLAN B ( which wont work)

Buy Licence year one--then only use original CDs for new additions to your music collection.

They know very well virtually all music in future will eventually be downloads.

Rearrange--

barrel over you got a

Unless you can download direct to an ipod with no transfer or copying--I dont fancy using a laptop thats been on the net:eek: which is the other option.

I was speaking to a sizeable Mobile Disco operator yesterday ( 9 units) NADJ member in Hampshire /Berkshire area who has some very controversial views on all this ( possibly)

Will run it pass Darren before making a post on it.;)

CRAZY K

[jimboylan]

All CDs have a copyright notice that says "Unauthorised public performance, broadcasting, copying and rental of this record prohibited" so we can't use original CDs either LOL

Jim

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

BUT ONLY FOR DOMESTIC USE!

And what do you suppose any other CD is for?

[CRAZY K]

All CDs have a copyright notice that says "Unauthorised public performance, broadcasting, copying and rental of this record prohibited" so we can't use original CDs either LOL

Jim

Jim, This thread is about copying legal CDs and legal downloads--- the Pro Dub licence allows that if they are being used TO EARN MONEY.

I think there was a SUGGESTION of an amnesty to members of the public who copy and heres a link from 2006 ---

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6095612.stm

CRAZY K

[pagan_flame]

Unless you can download direct to an ipod with no transfer or copying--I dont fancy using a laptop thats been on the net:eek: which is the other option.

So - like wot I (will be) do(ing from now on)... download the track on your main PC. Cut and paste the MP3 to your laptop / external HDD.

No copying has been done, the file has just been moved around - so no need for any more ProDub's after year 1.

And just buy the odd 'Now' compilation for backup as they come out.

[CRAZY K]

So - like wot I (will be) do(ing from now on)... download the track on your main PC. Cut and paste the MP3 to your laptop / external HDD.

No copying has been done, the file has just been moved around - so no need for any more ProDub's after year 1.

And just buy the odd 'Now' compilation for backup as they come out.

Exposing the Laptop to the Internet---is this a good idea Malcolm ?

I spose if you only ever visit I tunes site that would be relatively safe?

If you dont own a Laptop--thats another £300-£500 in cost:eek:

CRAZY K

[theoloyla]

All CDs have a copyright notice that says "Unauthorised public performance, broadcasting, copying and rental of this record prohibited" so we can't use original CDs either LOL

Jim


And what do you suppose any other CD is for?
That is why PPL issue licences to use records for public entertainment. It is a performance licensing body. I dont see the natural justice in charging us a further licence to adapt the items we have legitimately purchsaed in order to make that performance. MCPS has always been a body associated with manufacturing records. I dont see that me making 50 SINGLE copies a year of 50 items I have legitimately downloaded is manufacturing and that it warrants charging me £5 each to do so.

[pagan_flame]

Exposing the Laptop to the Internet---is this a good idea Malcolm ?

I spose if you only ever visit I tunes site that would be relatively safe?

If you dont own a Laptop--thats another £300-£500 in cost:eek:

CRAZY K

No. (i.e. No it's not a good and idea and No I don't do it...)

I have an external hard drive. I connect that to my PC, load up the files with Internet switched off / blocked - then virus scan it, then shut it down and connect it to the laptop for performance.

My laptop plus OTSDJ cost me less than 200 quid the lot BTW...

[CRAZY K]

No. (i.e. No it's not a good and idea and No I don't do it...)

I have an external hard drive. I connect that to my PC, load up the files with Internet switched off / blocked - then virus scan it, then shut it down and connect it to the laptop for performance.

My laptop plus OTSDJ cost me less than 200 quid the lot BTW...

Fair enough--presumably you have back up if the laptop goes down.

AND IF THATS COPIED MUSIC:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

CRAZY K

[Creature]

damm damm damm spent ages trying to finds a legal download site and not found 1 yet :(:( itunes has best selection but th eformat is not supported by Cortex :(:(

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

A legal download site for what?

[Excalibur]

A legal download site for what?

The style of MP3 which he is seeking, I presume.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

The style of MP3 which he is seeking, I presume.

He doesn't really give much info, hence the question.

[Creature]

yep a mp3 file - i dontwanna convert a file cause i then will need teh produb licence :(

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Play.com and 7Digital do mp3s. Not loads at the moment but I'm sure it will improve.

[Creature]

and they dont have want i want at the moment

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

and they dont have want i want at the moment

Which is?

[Creature]

deffo need the new kid rock mp3 as been requested several times now - my main genres are metal,rock,rock n roll, skiffle, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s big band glam rock, punk rock and occasional chart stuff

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

deffo need the new kid rock mp3 as been requested several times now - my main genres are metal,rock,rock n roll, skiffle, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s big band glam rock, punk rock and occasional chart stuff

But I'm assuming you have most stuff already ripped, so you'll only need a few tunes?

[Creature]

noep deleted them all !!! just in case i got a visit - have many cds only play 1 or 2 traxcks from so will be looking to get these in mp3 format to help cut down the cd collection. most new stuff will hopefully be mp3

[Shaun]

Play.com and 7Digital do mp3s. Not loads at the moment but I'm sure it will improve.


and they dont have want i want at the moment


Which is?


deffo need the new kid rock mp3





Creature. You didn't look very hard. :p ;)
http://www.7digital.com/artists/kid-rock

[Creature]

saw the video - then searched from there didnt expect it to be so far down the page order :(:( but thanx for teh tip

[theoloyla]

yep a mp3 file - i dontwanna convert a file cause i then will need teh produb licence :(

Tesco Digital have pretty much everything I need and they give a choice of MP3