I’m Frustrated with the Lack of BD-Audio Titles – Time to do Something!

[Josh]

If you’re like me, you’re frustrated with the lack of Blu-ray Disc Audio (BD-Audio) titles available. The few titles that have been released thus far have been amazing examples of what Blu-ray technology can do for music. Those artists who have released their work on Blu-ray have realized the benefit of providing master-quality releases on a format adopted by millions and millions of consumers worldwide. But too few have taken advantage of the technology, a direct result, in my estimation, of record companies meddling in the distribution of music.

Things are about to change.

In 1976, the United States Congress amended the copyright laws to allow artists to reclaim their works from record companies after 35 years. The law took effect January 1, 1978, meaning all recordings 1978 and on are under the revised legislation, so that the first eligible records would return to artists control would do so beginning January 1, 2013. The law requires that artists submit requests to the copyright office two years in advance, and this has already occurred with artists such as Tom Petty, Bryan Adams, Loretta Lynn, Kris Kristofferson, Tom Waits and Charlie Daniels already submitting their requests to regain control.

While consumers we as consumers have been unable to sway major record labels to adapt Blu-ray audio, we may yet be able to convince the artists themselves. Here is what I am proposing:

First, we begin alerting artists of the requirement to file for control of their music. Thankfully, there are many, many organizations already doing this, so it (hopefully) won’t be the first time they hear about this. Second, we tell them why Blu-ray Audio is the only format that can truly capture their studio performances in the way they themselves intended the music to be heard. Third, we encourage them to release their music on Blu-ray Audio once they gain control.

This activity would be conducted through all forms of communication. A script letter would be drafted (by the group) and sent to the artists via mail and email. Posts would be made to the artists MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter accounts, directing them to a website with the relevant information. Any way we can get the artists the information, we’ll take action.

However, I can’t do this alone. I need a group of people willing to send/email letters, post on Facebook, and Tweet these artists the information. It doesn’t take much effort, it’s just a matter of doing it. A select few will track those artists whose copyright is available to transfer, and everyone else would simply send the email, leave a post, or tweet. The more people we can get involved, the more we can get the message out.

The goal would not be to harass or be aggressive with the artists. It’s just a way of getting the information out and letting them know that they have the option. So if you think you have time to send an pre-written email, post on Facebook, or Tweet, please reply to this post with "I Want to Help". Billy Joel's 52nd Street was released October 18, 1978, and someone has to make sure he knows that a) he can regain control of those recordings and b) it would sound beautiful on a Blu-ray disc.

I welcome your thoughts

[singhcr]

Hi Josh,

That sounds like a wonderful idea, I'd like to help.

I would mention in the letter that Blu-ray is capable of higher than CD quality audio and the only way to hear the music the way it was intended to is to use the BD-A format to its maximum. To me, BD-A is great because it allows for 192/24 audio. If I wanted CD quality audio, I'd buy the CD.

[Stereo24192]

I want to help

Not much of a facebooker but I'd love to send some e-mails

Things to point out that should make the artist more interested:

-Most people have a blu-ray player =big market.
-Better copy protection than CD and downloads.
-Stereo is just fine if they don't have the resources/interest for making
surround remixing.
-Blu-ray is a great medium for special editions as well as pure audio releases.

[Blu-Meanie]

Very intriguing! Another aspect is 5.1 surround which is very appealing to me. I hope this catches fire. There needs to be an expansion of blu music.

[blu2]

I predict messy legal battles ahead.

In the end, if the artists regain control of the recordings, they will probably just license them back to the (highest bidding) label, probably as a set and not one off deals.

Aside: I don't think it's been mentioned in this forum, but ELP is (again) re-licensing their recordings:

http://www.razorandtie.com/news/lege...og-partnership

with rumours of 5.1:

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/sh...=249421&page=2

I expect that Blu Ray Audio lovers should be out campaigning for Blu Ray Audio for these.

[Josh]

Originally Posted by blu2

I predict messy legal battles ahead.

In the end, if the artists regain control of the recordings, they will probably just license them back to the (highest bidding) label, probably as a set and not one off deals.

I agree, this will definitely be going to court, but nothing has been put to the test yet. The question will likely come down to who paid for the studio time. This is often times the artist (as a loan on future royalties). Record labels don't pay Social Security or Health Insurance for these artists, so it would be difficult (though, I'm sure they will argue it) to say these are hired folks. That would cause all sorts of accounting issues going back 35 years. The tax ramifications alone would be astounding.

Anyway, the purpose of this effort is to educate artists about Blu-ray audio. Right now, they don't have a choice (for the most part) on how their music is distributed. Once they gain control, they can, as you say, license it back, but stipulate that a Blu-ray release be done. They can't do that at this point. That is the power. This effort would be to give them the education to make the right decisions. Blu-ray Audio is the right decision.

[Riff Magnum]

Originally Posted by Josh

If you’re like me, you’re frustrated with the lack of Blu-ray Disc Audio (BD-Audio) titles available. The few titles that have been released thus far have been amazing examples of what Blu-ray technology can do for music. Those artists who have released their work on Blu-ray have realized the benefit of providing master-quality releases on a format adopted by millions and millions of consumers worldwide. But too few have taken advantage of the technology, a direct result, in my estimation, of record companies meddling in the distribution of music.

Things are about to change.

In 1976, the United States Congress amended the copyright laws to allow artists to reclaim their works from record companies after 35 years. The law took effect January 1, 1978, meaning all recordings 1978 and on are under the revised legislation, so that the first eligible records would return to artists control would do so beginning January 1, 2013. The law requires that artists submit requests to the copyright office two years in advance, and this has already occurred with artists such as Tom Petty, Bryan Adams, Loretta Lynn, Kris Kristofferson, Tom Waits and Charlie Daniels already submitting their requests to regain control.

While consumers we as consumers have been unable to sway major record labels to adapt Blu-ray audio, we may yet be able to convince the artists themselves. Here is what I am proposing:

First, we begin alerting artists of the requirement to file for control of their music. Thankfully, there are many, many organizations already doing this, so it (hopefully) won’t be the first time they hear about this. Second, we tell them why Blu-ray Audio is the only format that can truly capture their studio performances in the way they themselves intended the music to be heard. Third, we encourage them to release their music on Blu-ray Audio once they gain control.

This activity would be conducted through all forms of communication. A script letter would be drafted (by the group) and sent to the artists via mail and email. Posts would be made to the artists MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter accounts, directing them to a website with the relevant information. Any way we can get the artists the information, we’ll take action.

However, I can’t do this alone. I need a group of people willing to send/email letters, post on Facebook, and Tweet these artists the information. It doesn’t take much effort, it’s just a matter of doing it. A select few will track those artists whose copyright is available to transfer, and everyone else would simply send the email, leave a post, or tweet. The more people we can get involved, the more we can get the message out.

The goal would not be to harass or be aggressive with the artists. It’s just a way of getting the information out and letting them know that they have the option. So if you think you have time to send an pre-written email, post on Facebook, or Tweet, please reply to this post with "I Want to Help". Billy Joel's 52nd Street was released October 18, 1978, and someone has to make sure he knows that a) he can regain control of those recordings and b) it would sound beautiful on a Blu-ray disc.

I welcome your thoughts

A good place to start would be, where do musicians go to have blurays mastered and duplicated? How much does it cost?
My band is recording in the fall and i'd love for it come out on bluray, but where do i take my masters? Does the bluray mastering studio need the original isolated tracks, the final mixdown, or the final master? And again, how much does it cost?
I think most bands and musicians are already aware of bluray and how good it sounds. I also think most of them are aware that they need to retain as much control and ownership of their music as they can. Easier said than done. Most bands that do have total control of their music are smaller, unknown bands like the one i play in, so $$$$$$ is the main factor. I'm sure smaller runs are out of the question. I doubt i could call someone up and just order a couple hundred blurays to sell on my site. Something like that probably requires a significant volume to get any return on your investment.

[Clark Kent]

Even if the artist regains control of the music, the master tapes are often the legal possession of the music label. The music labels will not give them back to the artists for free.

[Josh]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

A good place to start would be, where do musicians go to have blurays mastered and duplicated? How much does it cost?
My band is recording in the fall and i'd love for it come out on bluray, but where do i take my masters? Does the bluray mastering studio need the original isolated tracks, the final mixdown, or the final master? And again, how much does it cost?
I think most bands and musicians are already aware of bluray and how good it sounds. I also think most of them are aware that they need to retain as much control and ownership of their music as they can. Easier said than done. Most bands that do have total control of their music are smaller, unknown bands like the one i play in, so $$$$$$ is the main factor. I'm sure smaller runs are out of the question. I doubt i could call someone up and just order a couple hundred blurays to sell on my site. Something like that probably requires a significant volume to get any return on your investment.

This is just an example, since they were one of the first to offer Blu-ray replication, but Pacific Disc does just that. 1000 minimum purchase.

http://www.pacificdisc.com/PricingBluRay.html

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

Even if the artist regains control of the music, the master tapes are often the legal possession of the music label. The music labels will not give them back to the artists for free.

That is actually covered under Section 202: Ownership of copyright as distinct from ownership of material object

Ownership of a copyright, or of any of the exclusive rights under a copyright, is distinct from ownership of any material object in which the work is embodied.

This was likely added so that a consumer can't gain ownership of copyright by purchasing a record, tape, CD, etc, but it would also apply to the master tapes. No, the studios wouldn't have to turn them over - depending on who paid for them to be produced (a gray area) - but they would be worthless without the rights to distribute. Selling master tapes back to the artist may become a commonplace transaction.

[Riff Magnum]

Thanks Josh!! That's pretty sweet and not nearly as pricey as i thought. Of course 1000 copies is way more than we'd ever need at this point. That might sound ridiculous to some of you, but at some point in your life i hope all of you get the chance to try and sell 1000 copies of something you made. Lemme know how it goes.

[Stereo24192]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

A good place to start would be, where do musicians go to have blurays mastered and duplicated? How much does it cost?
My band is recording in the fall and i'd love for it come out on bluray, but where do i take my masters? Does the bluray mastering studio need the original isolated tracks, the final mixdown, or the final master? And again, how much does it cost?
I think most bands and musicians are already aware of bluray and how good it sounds. I also think most of them are aware that they need to retain as much control and ownership of their music as they can. Easier said than done. Most bands that do have total control of their music are smaller, unknown bands like the one i play in, so $$$$$$ is the main factor. I'm sure smaller runs are out of the question. I doubt i could call someone up and just order a couple hundred blurays to sell on my site. Something like that probably requires a significant volume to get any return on your investment.

msm-studios also provides a Blu-ray Audio authoring service

Pure Audio Creator

Create your Pure Audio Blu-ray Disc

To meet the need for quick and cost effective production of high-quality audio discs msm-studios provide this assistant to create an Audio Blu-ray Disc with a few clicks.

http://www.pureaudio-mastering.com/

I like the releases they did for the 2L label, with CD-like navigation without the need for a TV-screen.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Stereo24192

http://www.pureaudio-mastering.com/

I like the releases they did for the 2L label, with CD-like navigation without the need for a TV-screen.

[LMN8R]

I would certainly buy more if they offered stand alone releases. It's bad enough when they are in boxed sets with other formats but coasters, marbles, books, postcards etc. is just ridiculous. Just let me buy the BD.