How much of a sample can you legally use?
Some artists have to pay 50% of all the recording royalties just to use a sample which may be a few seconds long. These three amounts all vary widely, though. In order to pay the least possible amount, use as short a sample as you can. Use it as few times as you can.
Are sample packs cheating?
As long as the samples inside are cleared for copyright and you got the sample pack legally, using sample packs is not cheating. There are a lot of factors to consider, from the length of the sample you are using all the way to how many times other people have used that exact same sample.
Do you have to clear every sample?
If you decide to use samples without clearance, you might be in the clear in certain situations. Under U.S. copyright law, you do not have to obtain sample clearance if your sample is so altered that it does not infringe on the original, or your use is a fair one.
Do professionals use sample packs?
It’s a personal and artistic choice but using samples and loops is pretty much standard-practice, especially in dance music, hip-hop, EDM and other electronic music genres. So, yes, many, if not most, top professionals use them although they may use it differently than a beginner would.
Are all sample packs royalty free?
The short answer is yes for most sample packs. Some are royalty free until you sell/stream a certain amount (around one million). Or if you release on a major label.
How do I get a sample cleared?
Keys To Clearing A Sample
- Identify who owns/controls the Master Recording (Usually a performer or label)
- Identify who owns/controls the Publishing (Usually a publisher or the songwriter/producer)
- Try to clear the sample before you announce a major label deal.
- Try to clear the sample before you release the song.
How expensive is clearing a sample?
More than likely you will be hiring an attorney to spearhead the process but it is very important to understand the process yourself to either assist or possibly even take on the mission of clearing a sample on your own. On the master side the clearance fee will likely range somewhere between $2,000 to $10,000.