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Sampling vs Plagarising


Izzy

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When someone samples a song, they take an original track and tweek it enough to make it their own OR they blatantly leave it as is but create someting different with it. It isn't plagarism or a cover.

 

Now that CDs aren't as popular, I will admit to not reading the print that comes with music downloads. I am sure credit is given in downloads, but before I was likelier to run accross the names of the contributors (musicians, producers, writers...) in the CD insert than I would be now that nothing overt comes with the download.

 

I don't know how to feel. I am sort of grateful to these artists who "sample" in their music for having good taste and introducing me to cool music but at the same time it sort of makes me a little sad that most listners aren't hearing the originals and are fooled into thinking (because we're too lazy to investigate) that the track is entirely original and new.

 

At least it isn't plagarism, right? Or is it as bad? What do ya'll think?

 

Here's an example...not my favorite artist but he sure knows how to pick cool tracks.

http://youtu.be/4XaDeC2LEdA

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I feel kinda the same about that, listening to Dr. Dre's Chronic album and his productions with NWA opened me up the world of awesome old funk/soul such as George Clinton & Parliament, The Dramatics, Isaac Hayes, Leon Haywood, The Isleys, etc. Sampling can be an art form, my dad told me how in the early '80s he had a local rap group in his studio and the guy locked up 2 turntables perfectly and laid down the instrumental in a few takes by creating a loop from one and perfectly timed scratch samples from the other. Some do justice to the original and do interesting things with it, but there will always be the others who are content with ripping off a loop and doing nothing original to it. Either way credit should be given.

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Credit IS usually given if the sample is long enough..

 

And Dave, I don't think it has anything to do with lacking talent...I find that view presumptive and a little insulting. They are finding sounds/textures/voices that fit the mood of the song they are creating.

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Seems to me like they lack the talent to come up with their own ideas so the get them from where ever they can... At the very least the original artist should be credited and receive something for their work... IMHO...

 

The best example in the rock world being Led Zeppelin...

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Credit IS usually given if the sample is long enough..

 

And Dave, I don't think it has anything to do with lacking talent...I find that view presumptive and a little insulting. They are finding sounds/textures/voices that fit the mood of the song they are creating.

 

Why don't they create their own sounds/textures/voices? I have to agree with Dave. Covering another's song is cool, even better when they put a bit of their own spice is even better, But to use someone's work, lyric\music, and vocals is plagiarism in my book of stealing.

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Why don't they create their own sounds/textures/voices? I have to agree with Dave. Covering another's song is cool, even better when they put a bit of their own spice is even better, But to use someone's work, lyric\music, and vocals is plagiarism in my book of stealing.

 

Why? I couldn't tell you...i've never used samples myself (aside from drum loops - why oh why don't I just play my own drums?!)...

 

My guess is that so they are not limited. You want guitar? Gotta know how to play guitar...and well. You want horns in that song? You best know how to play trumpet, trombone, and various saxes. I suppose you could get away with saying they are not talented enough because they can't play 400 instruments...

 

You need to understand that most of these samples are 10 seconds or less which is hardly plagiarism. Often they are put through filters, or other effects that give it the right "flavor" so to speak. It's nt like they are taking a song and putting heavier drums over it and that's it.

 

Hip hop songs and rock songs are night and day. You can't approach them with the same mindset and you can't apply "rules" from one to the other. It just doesn't make sense.

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In fact, more time and effort likely goes towards finding the right sample for the song than the producer would have gone through if they just hired a session player....but it wouldn't always sound right. You ever see the boxes and boxes of records that hop hop producers have on hand? I know a few who have over 5000 LP's that they dig through to find what they want.

 

I think thats dedication.

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*Shrug* Just providing my perspective since I was asked.

 

But really...its ok if you don't like rap/hip hop. But try to understand something or at least do a little homework before ripping on something that you know very little about.

 

And AXE..to your point...i don't think everything has to be original. When a new band comes out and people say "Well its nothing new"...that bugs me too. Who cares if its "original" or "new"...does it sound cool? Does it make your booty shake?! That's what matters to me!

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Copyright law states 3 consecutive notes is infringement. Plagiarism, is just one claimant saying that the other is taking there work and butchering it. Sampling is directly lifting the actual audio from media and splicing it into another media.

 

You guys have to understand that the label's have teams of lawyer's and accountant's that keep track of this stuff, legitimacy is disputed if one/all group(s) allows it or not. Few performing individuals own the song's, at-least many on the mainstream side don't, it all depends on the wording in contract's as to who's doing what and who and how much is getting paid.

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