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Thread started 11/10/09 2:48am

dance4me3121

What exactly is "Master tapes"?

sorry if this a dumb question. But what exactly is it? and ive seen it mentioned that its a bad thing once Prince gets it back. Why is that?
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Reply #1 posted 11/10/09 5:52am

toejam

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Literally, a 'master tape' is the actual analogue tape reel that contains the completed recording (before the days of digital recording, at least). There's a slight difference between 'master tape' and 'master recording'. The 'master recording' refers to the audio (i.e. 'the song') on the 'master tape' that can be bought and sold by they owner of the 'recording'.

Prince probably still has the 'master tapes' in storage somewhere inside Paisley Park, however Warner Bros. own the rights to the 'recoding', meaning they can sell it as they please (in a nutshell). Prince would still recieve composer royalties from Warner, however Warner would still take the vast majority of the profit. When Prince says he wants his masters back, he's basically arguing that he's being ripped off given the amount of money Warners are making off his songs.

There is a time limit on how long a record company can hold the rights of songs before they revert back to their original creators, so Prince will get his masters back eventually, but not at the moment!
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Reply #2 posted 11/10/09 5:54am

nurseV

toejam said:

Literally, a 'master tape' is the actual analogue tape reel that contains the completed recording (before the days of digital recording, at least). There's a slight difference between 'master tape' and 'master recording'. The 'master recording' refers to the audio (i.e. 'the song') on the 'master tape' that can be bought and sold by they owner of the 'recording'.

Prince probably still has the 'master tapes' in storage somewhere inside Paisley Park, however Warner Bros. own the rights to the 'recoding', meaning they can sell it as they please (in a nutshell). Prince would still recieve composer royalties from Warner, however Warner would still take the vast majority of the profit. When Prince says he wants his masters back, he's basically arguing that he's being ripped off given the amount of money Warners are making off his songs.

There is a time limit on how long a record company can hold the rights of songs before they revert back to their original creators, so Prince will get his masters back eventually, but not at the moment!


very clear explanation wink
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Reply #3 posted 11/10/09 9:19am

ernestsewell

toejam said:

Literally, a 'master tape' is the actual analogue tape reel that contains the completed recording (before the days of digital recording, at least). There's a slight difference between 'master tape' and 'master recording'. The 'master recording' refers to the audio (i.e. 'the song') on the 'master tape' that can be bought and sold by they owner of the 'recording'.

Prince probably still has the 'master tapes' in storage somewhere inside Paisley Park, however Warner Bros. own the rights to the 'recoding', meaning they can sell it as they please (in a nutshell). Prince would still recieve composer royalties from Warner, however Warner would still take the vast majority of the profit. When Prince says he wants his masters back, he's basically arguing that he's being ripped off given the amount of money Warners are making off his songs.

There is a time limit on how long a record company can hold the rights of songs before they revert back to their original creators, so Prince will get his masters back eventually, but not at the moment!

Let's not be fooled though. Prince still has a sweet deal in royalties from the sales of his albums (although I would imagine the back catalog isn't selling a WHOLE lot, but it still sells). He not only get performer royalties, but songwriter royalties too. He also has a deal that WB can't release anything without his approval. That's why ULTIMATE was altered, with "Erotic City" being removed (among others), and the tracklist being separated between A-sides and B-sides (instead of chronologically) - all because of Prince's input and final stamp on the compilation. (That info came from the person who compiled the album himself, not a rumor.)

Prince is still in a lot of control of his work, despite his lack of ownership.
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Reply #4 posted 11/10/09 9:48am

QuietSeven

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a master "sr sound recording" is the original and final mix down of that composed created piece or volume compilation of sound (with or without) lyrical vocals in variation form...this is the original that copies are made from for distribution...and are normally owned by authorship (creator/artist) and is copywritten for the sole purpose of ownership. Thank you...SINGMIA. I know because I do this.
[Edited 11/10/09 9:50am]
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Reply #5 posted 11/10/09 11:14am

sms130

ernestsewell said:

toejam said:

Literally, a 'master tape' is the actual analogue tape reel that contains the completed recording (before the days of digital recording, at least). There's a slight difference between 'master tape' and 'master recording'. The 'master recording' refers to the audio (i.e. 'the song') on the 'master tape' that can be bought and sold by they owner of the 'recording'.

Prince probably still has the 'master tapes' in storage somewhere inside Paisley Park, however Warner Bros. own the rights to the 'recoding', meaning they can sell it as they please (in a nutshell). Prince would still recieve composer royalties from Warner, however Warner would still take the vast majority of the profit. When Prince says he wants his masters back, he's basically arguing that he's being ripped off given the amount of money Warners are making off his songs.

There is a time limit on how long a record company can hold the rights of songs before they revert back to their original creators, so Prince will get his masters back eventually, but not at the moment!

Let's not be fooled though. Prince still has a sweet deal in royalties from the sales of his albums (although I would imagine the back catalog isn't selling a WHOLE lot, but it still sells). He not only get performer royalties, but songwriter royalties too. He also has a deal that WB can't release anything without his approval. That's why ULTIMATE was altered, with "Erotic City" being removed (among others), and the tracklist being separated between A-sides and B-sides (instead of chronologically) - all because of Prince's input and final stamp on the compilation. (That info came from the person who compiled the album himself, not a rumor.)

Prince is still in a lot of control of his work, despite his lack of ownership.


Yep, Prince was also involved in the release of his movies on dvd back in 2004. He made some money off that as well. 4 a guy that don't own his stuff during that era, he still has a say and input regarding it. That came an article and interview done during 2004.
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Reply #6 posted 11/11/09 2:16pm

langebleu

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QuietSeven said:

a master "sr sound recording" is the original and final mix down of that composed created piece or volume compilation of sound (with or without) lyrical vocals in variation form...this is the original that copies are made from for distribution...and are normally owned by authorship (creator/artist) and is copywritten for the sole purpose of ownership. Thank you...SINGMIA. I know because I do this.

It's copyright - not copywrite, so it is copyrighted - not copywritten.
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