Sampler

Thu, 15 Apr 2004 18:51:04 GMT

Also called a digital sampler, this is a type of synthesizer with actual recorded sounds that are stored in computer memory.

Velocity

Thu, 15 Apr 2004 18:50:48 GMT

Velocity is how MIDI represents how hard a note is pressed on a controller.

LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator)

Thu, 15 Apr 2004 18:48:16 GMT

A component within an electronic keyboard that sweeps back and forth in a particular waveform shape at a very slow rate of speed. A LFO is used to create continuous (periodic) change to the volume, pitch, or timbre of a sound.

Clipping

Thu, 15 Apr 2004 18:45:53 GMT

Signal or amplifier overload, a form of distortion.

MIDI

Thu, 15 Apr 2004 18:43:22 GMT

Musical Instrument Digital Interface, an industry-standard interface used on electronic musical keyboards and PCs for computer control of musical instruments and devices.

USB

Thu, 15 Apr 2004 18:39:57 GMT

Universal Serial Bus. A standard bus type for all kinds of devices, including mice, scanners, digital cameras, printers, and others. Commonly used in low-cost audio interfaces, supplanting the need for both power and midi cables on many controllers. Protocol supports 12 Mbps transfer rate. Hot swappable - devices can be connected and disconnected while computer is on.

RSS

Thu, 15 Apr 2004 18:01:21 GMT

RSS stands for "Really Simple Syndication". It's an XML format that's used for sharing headlines and other content. You need a third party application to view RSS news feeds, like NetNewsWire (Mac OSX) or Vox Lite (Win XP). There are also convenient web-based systems like

Video Buyout

Tue, 23 Mar 2004 18:11:03 GMT

An agreement by which the buyer (user) agrees to pay the licensor a flat fee for the use of a song, with no increase based on sales of videocassettes/discs.

Video Rollover

Tue, 23 Mar 2004 18:11:03 GMT

An agreement by which the buyer (user) agrees to pay the licensor a continuing fee (either in advance or based on sales as per agreement). Every time a specific sales point has been reached, the fee is "rolled over," i.e. paid again.

Work for Hire

Tue, 23 Mar 2004 18:11:02 GMT

Work for hire is a special term used in the Copyright Act. Normally, when a person or group creates a copyrightable work, whether a song or a computer program or a sculpture, the person or persons creating the work have a copyright in the work. Thus, the creators can exploit the work and receive money for their creative energies. A work for hire is when a person creates a copyrightable work but does not own it. The Copyright Act allows for the copyright to go not to the creator but to...

Synchronization Right

Tue, 23 Mar 2004 18:10:46 GMT

The exclusive right of a copyright owner granted by the Copyright Act to authorize the recording of a musical work onto the soundtrack of an audio/visual work. The song is synchronized with images on the screen, hence the name.

Synchronization Royalties

Tue, 23 Mar 2004 18:10:15 GMT

Money earned by a publisher (and, consequently, divided with the songwriter) for the use of a song for which a synchronization license has been issued.

Sub-Publishing

Tue, 23 Mar 2004 18:09:53 GMT

A contractual arrangement between an original publisher of a song and a foreign publisher to handle the exploitation, licensing and collection for the song in the foreign publisher's territory.

Statutory (Compulsory) Mechanical License Rate

Tue, 23 Mar 2004 18:09:00 GMT

The compulsory mechanical license rate has been in existence since the 1909 Copyright Act. The statute places a ceiling -- per record, per song -- on the royalty a copyright owner can obtain (the royalty rate of 2 cents remained the same from 1909 to 1978). Provision was made, under the 1976 Copyright Act, for a periodic review of the rate. Such a review took place in 1980, whereby the royalty rate was increased in yearly increments. The statutory rate for 1999 is 7.10� per song for each...

Statutory Copyright

Tue, 23 Mar 2004 18:08:40 GMT

Statutory Damages

Tue, 23 Mar 2004 18:08:22 GMT

Monetary damages obtainable by a copyright owner of a work for its infringement. The amount is at the discretion of the court, but ranges from $500 up to $20,000 for each infringement, and up to $100,000 if the infringement was willful. If actual damages and profits attributable to the infringement would be greater than statutory damages, the copyright owner can choose to seek those instead.

Staff Songwriter

Tue, 23 Mar 2004 18:07:39 GMT

A songwriter who has an exclusive agreement with a publisher.

Split Publishing

Tue, 23 Mar 2004 18:06:22 GMT

When the publishing rights in a song are held by more than one publisher. Each of the several publishers is called a "co-publisher."

SR Form

Tue, 23 Mar 2004 18:06:05 GMT

Copyright registration form for a sound recording, usually obtained by the record company to protect the fixation of sounds on the recording. An SR form can be used to register the song (the � copyright) as well as the sound recording (the (P) copyright), if the copyright claimants of both are the same.

Sound Recording

Tue, 23 Mar 2004 18:05:44 GMT

The copyrighted musical work that results from the fixation of sounds onto a phonorecord.

Source License

Tue, 23 Mar 2004 18:05:18 GMT

In performing rights, a license granted by the copyright owner to the person, producer or organization being licensed to record or distribute the work, (e.g., in a taped program) so that the performance of the recorded work needs no further license.

Songwriter

Tue, 23 Mar 2004 18:04:52 GMT

Person who conceives and constructs the lyrics and music to create songs. This should be you!

Songwriter/Publisher Contract

Tue, 23 Mar 2004 18:04:48 GMT

An agreement between the two parties that sets, among other things, the terms under which the composition(s) is transferred (assigned) and income is earned and divided.

Small Performing Rights

Tue, 23 Mar 2004 18:02:45 GMT

This term is used to describe the non-dramatic public performing rights that are represented by and licensed through the performing rights organizations: BMI, ASCAP and SESAC. Performances of individual musical works on radio and TV and at hotels, restaurants, on programmed music services, and in concerts are "small" performances. These performing rights cover individual musical works used in non-dramatic renditions and are to be distinguished from "grand rights." Note...

Single Song Agreement

Tue, 23 Mar 2004 18:01:20 GMT

A contract between a publisher and songwriter(s) where the songwriter assigns to the publisher the copyright in one particular song in return for a percentage of royalty income. Sometimes referred to as a "one-off" contract.

Songwriter101 Lingo