Comment by k-mcgrady
14 years ago
There are two reasons I don't think this will happen:
1. People would use the tracks to create custom remixes which they would then distribute. What happens when a remix becomes more popular than the original track? Artists generally have to pay other artists to remix their songs (usually via royalties).
2. Creativity. When an artist creates something they want you to hear it the way it was intended. Allowing you to remix it however you like takes away a lot of the creative control from the artist.
Regarding remixing. Artists usually don't "pay" each other, but return the favor - if it's the right term to say. E.g. artist A remixes a song of artist B and artist B in turn does the same for artist A. Or if they are all on the same record label artist A does a remix for artist B and later B makes a collaboration with A. I've noticed this in electronica/edm music artists at least.
And another important remark: some artists are flattered when someone asks them to make a remix for their song. (Imagine you're an artist and your idol asks you to make a remix of his song.)
True. I still think point 2 stands though. If your idol or another artist you respect, asks to remix your song, you may be fine with that. But if every person that buys (or pirates) your song can remix it you might be less happy about it.
I write music and have considered releasing separate tracks so people can freely remix it but I prefer just having mixes that are controlled by me. Allowing another artist you know to remix your track still allows you some sort of control (you know their style so have some idea of how the remix will go). Giving up that control is a big step and, I think, an unnecessary one.
> Giving up that control is a big step and, I think, an unnecessary one.
Why do you need that control? Someone creating something new with your work, doesn't seem to damage your work in any way.
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