Is DJ'ing music from blogs legal?

[synthet1c]

Record companies would have to be stupid not to instill the fear in all the new dj's since it has blown up so much that now any 16 year old with a computer does it. All they need is set a couple of examples which should slow down the level of piracy, it worked for a while when napster got shut down.

It probably wouldn't happen to any underground dj's, but the rnb and commercial crowd have big record companies and expensive lawyers... just wait a couple of years... But I'm just trying to scare the kiddies into doing what's right, to me this question shouldn't even arrise, as I'm sure every dj asking "if it's okay to play stolen music" would be pissed if they didn't get paid for a gig...

but I come from vinyl where every record containing two tracks usually only one of which I'd play cost $19AUS... paying $2.50 - $3.00 is nothing on comparison.

And I come from planet paranoia LL

[zestoi]

Supporting the original artists is something I do care about. Is there any other options for me at this time? Would love some alternatives as I do not really have the cash flow to drop $1.00 to $2.49 a song at the moment.

then just buy less and let your collection build up more slowly over time - make notes of the tunes you've found that u want - or if downloading from dodgy sources like that make sure you buy them before actually using them to play out.

a couple of dollars a track is nothing compared to the old days of buying on vinyl. just that your options were a bit more limited when it came to stealing tunes back then

i haven't bought any new tracks the last couple of months as i haven't been able to afford to due to having some big things to save up for. i've just been browing tracks on djtunes.com and adding to my basket ones that i will buy when i have the cash as opposed to looking for illegal sources instead.

[Ed Paris]

there are some blogs that post legal stuff. but it´s just a few.

but you could always connect with producers and ask them for tunes, that you could promote live or in mixtapes.

[DStridium]

Does anyone here have experience with networking with producers to promote, that is something I could be interested in. Although I don't believe anyone has answered my question solidly in regards to whether or not Dub-Level is legal to get some of my first sets and mixes together then later purchase the songs to support the artists I am actually going to be playing. After which I will build set lists upon purchased tunes? Purely for beginner purposes I want to know if it is legal or not? Thank you

[Bl4ck3n3D]

Technically it is illegal, but the chances of you getting caught are slim to none.

Why not find a job and put work into your musical direction? Time and money = energy, thus the more energy you put into your music, the better your results will be.

The main temperament here is that you should be paying for your tracks. As stated above, a vinyl costs anywhere from $9.00 to $20.00+, so paying $1.49 or $2.49 for a track is nothing in comparison.

[synthet1c]

No it's illegal to steal music although as xone said, it's not enforced... In regards to producers you usually either need to be atleast a national name that can offer them wide exposure or a producer in collaboration with them to get exclusives... But you can usually sell yourself to smaller producers from different states/countries if you say how much you like their stuff, those guys will usually be happy to have their music heard by crowds in a different area...

[brainfried]

If you can't afford songs, you shouldn't be DJing.

Harsh, but true. Use the time you have to focus on perfecting the skills on the tracks you have bought. Also, a lot of artists give out their stuff for free on soundcloud / their facebook, but I wouldn't condone blogging tracks at all, not when they are for sale.

[DStridium]

Alright, I see a consensus among members. I have a job btw. lol I will pay for my songs bottom line, its legit, its supporting the artist, it will make me care that much more about every song I play. Also it will eradicate all the cookie cutter songs I may have kept in my library because they were free. I am beginning to see everyones point that even starting or especially starting out paying for songs will all together make me a better DJ morally and technically speaking. Thank you all for your input, you guys have yet to steer me the wrong way. Much obliged!

[Rukks]

If you can't afford songs, you shouldn't be DJing.

Harsh, but true. Use the time you have to focus on perfecting the skills on the tracks you have bought. Also, a lot of artists give out their stuff for free on soundcloud / their facebook, but I wouldn't condone blogging tracks at all, not when they are for sale.

This is kind of what I was getting at, most of the time I either play less mainstream stuff or remixes of mainstream stuff....so if i hear a remix on a blog and like it I look them up on soundcloud and see if the remixer put up a download. Usually they have a downlaod. As far as an unknown producer giving away remixed content...I don't know if thats legal or not but if I like the tune and the original artist won't support it then How am I going to ever get the remix if I do not download it from the remixer.

I've always been confused on that topic to be honest....and if I find a remix on a blog that is being given away free by the remixer, is it really that bad that I download from the blog and have a note in the comment as opposed to a direct download off of their soundcloud....answers would be nice haha

[brainfried]

This is kind of what I was getting at, most of the time I either play less mainstream stuff or remixes of mainstream stuff....so if i hear a remix on a blog and like it I look them up on soundcloud and see if the remixer put up a download. Usually they have a downlaod. As far as an unknown producer giving away remixed content...I don't know if thats legal or not but if I like the tune and the original artist won't support it then How am I going to ever get the remix if I do not download it from the remixer.

I've always been confused on that topic to be honest....and if I find a remix on a blog that is being given away free by the remixer, is it really that bad that I download from the blog and have a note in the comment as opposed to a direct download off of their soundcloud....answers would be nice haha

Technically remixes being given away by producers that include someone else's content are *almost* as illegal as blogs, but it's a grey area that I feel leaves you in a better position than straight out copyright infringement (2nd year law student here ;p)