From: latta@xcf.berkeley.edu (Craig R. Latta)
Newsgroups: rec.music.makers
Subject: MUSENET update
Followup-To: poster
Date: 4 Sep 1992 09:21:14 GMT
Organization: University of California, Berkeley
Distribution: world
Expires: 2 Oct 1992 09:22:12 GMT
Reply-To: musenet@xcf.berkeley.edu
NNTP-Posting-Host: xcf.berkeley.edu
Summary: This posting contains an update for the MUSENET project: a CD
		compilation of music made by USENET users.
Originator: latta@xcf.Berkeley.EDU

Archive-name: musenet-update
Last-modified: 1992/09/04
Version: 2.0



	This is an update on the MUSENET '92 project, a compilation
recording of music by us, the readers of USENET. It gives details
about participation, compilation, and distribution. 
	It is posted every two weeks to rec.music.makers. It is
available via ftp as
anonymous@xcf.berkeley.edu:misc/netjam/doc/announcements/MUSENET/update,
and by emailing musenet-request@xcf.berkeley.edu with the subject
"request for info"


What Am I Doing?
---------------

	I'm making a high-quality compilation of our music, suitable
for listening pleasure and aesthetic indulgence...
	I'm supporting the "nicest" format we'd like and can afford:
CD. I plan to make all USENET recordings (including those from past
years) available (prepaid) in at least an "easy" form (analog
cassette), as long as masters are available.
	This is not meant to be a "rec.music.synth" recording. Rather,
it is hoped a wide variety of people who use USENET will contribute.
	No USENET recordings are currently available from me.

	I can do:

*	submission collection and compilation
*	mastering
*	distribution, including the collection of old masters of
		previous USENET tapes and making copies available
		again. We'll support the "nice" format for a limited
		time, and "easy" format indefinitely after that, given
		the masters (see "Incidentally..." below).
		Possible publicity channels include USENET, Internet mail,
		journals (Computer Music Journal, etc.), and monthly
		magazines (Electronic Musician, etc.).
	
	I cannot do:

*	remixing (unless pseudo-random rendering remappings are part
		of a submission... since I don't own every piece of
		gear in	the universe, nor do I have infinite
		channelspace)

	I'd like:

*	information on the availability of all previous USENET
		recordings and accompanying material (e.g., liner
		notes).
*	more volunteers (for artwork, liner notes, funding, etc.).
		Email to me if interested.


What Are You Doing?
------------------

	Music!

	The goals are to include all submitters, with maximum
fidelity, at no profit. I'm also hoping for a sense of variety and
creativity.

	Schedule:
	--------

	         NOW:	Depression ends, musicmaking starts, ordering
				and submission protocols distributed,
				submissions and ordering start.
	 1   October:	Submissions end, mastering and transcription
				start. (Yes, the deadline is early in
				the hope that *maybe* we can stick to
				1 November. But you didn't hear that,
				of course.)
	 1  December: 	First-run ordering ends, "nice" and "easy"
				shipments start.
	24  December: 	All orders received before first-run ordering
				ends are filled, "easy" shipments
				continue.
	12     Never:	Musicmaking ends, depression restarts,
				masters get eaten by eels, shipments
				end.


	Current Status:
	--------------

	I have received seven submissions, with a minimum length of 33
		minutes, and a maximum length of 60 minutes. 


	Audio formats, in order of preference:
	-------------

	DAT (strong preference for convenience reasons)
	2-track analog cassette tape (double/normal speed; dolby B/C,
		dbx, and no noise reduction fine)
	ADAT
	1/4" analog reel-to-reel tape
	1/2" analog reel-to-reel tape
	VHS (PCM)
	BETA
	MIDI (using an equipment-abstraction mechanism like General
		MIDI; there is a lot of equipment around here) 


	Audio content:
	-------------

	Five minutes maximum of material from each submitting
		individual or group, with at least one player
		reachable via Internet. There are no other
		requirements. See notes
		below on time lengths and copyrights.
	
	Text formats (for liner notes):
	------------

	ASCII
	PostScript (EPS preferred)
	Frame
	*roff
	TeX
	hardcopy

	Graphic formats	(for illustrations):
	---------------

	GIF, PM, PBM, Sun Rasterfile, TIFF, JPEG, X11 bitmaps.
	PostScript
	Frame


Ordering Information:
--------------------

	The costs and hence price (for general purchasers and for
submitters) and methods of payment are currently undetermined. MUSENET
is a nonprofit project.
	Current estimations are:

	General Cost:
	$7 US base price for 2 CDs, plus shipping:
		US:	   $3.00 US for first set, $1.50 US for each additional
		Canada:    $3.50 US for first set, $1.75 US for each additional
		Europe:    $6 US for first set, $3 US for each additional
		Australia: $6 US for first set, $3 US for each additional

	Currency:
		Personal checks for US funds drawn on US banks
		US Money Orders
		International Money Orders for US funds

	One free copy will be given to each submitter or submitting
		group.

Contact:
-------

	Direct submissions and comments as appropriate to:

	Postal Mail:
		MUSENET
		201 W. California Ave. #123
		Sunnyvale, CA. 94086

	Internet Mail:
		musenet@xcf.Berkeley.EDU

	Incoming ftp by arrangement.
	

Notes:
-----

	The Time Limit

	The audio content requirement is obviously a tricky part
(though apparently not quite as tricky as copyrights; see below). I
toyed with the idea of putting out as many CDs as submission volume
supported.  Several people pointed out the danger of diluting of the
"special event" nature of these annual recordings. I can see this
point. At least until MUSENET is in wild demand...
	So the five-minute was imposed, with the rough goal of about
28 people filling a double CD to capacity (140 mins; reference:
various rec.music.cd threads). This seems about right, since a
(one-time) call for participants yielded 29 respondents. Considering
submission is rather more difficult than emailing (I hope...), this
seems about right. I also considered a "submission fee" for pieces
longer than five minutes, but this just adds to the already nonzero
expense of submitting (media costs, postage, etc.), and gives
preference to people with money.
	Some find this time limit constrictive, but I can't see any
other way of hoping to accommodate everyone who submits, which I feel
is important. Note that there is no limit on the number of tracks
submitted, just the total time. Also, if you want to submit something
that is longer, send it along with a five-minute version, in case
there turns out to be space left on the CD when submissions are
closed.
	I hope the variety will be intriguing, not "choppy".


	Copyright Protection

	Basically: you submit at your own risk, which I try to
minimize. The proposed copyright notice for MUSENET '92 currently
reads:

	"This compilation (P) 1992 Craig Latta. Individual
	compositions retain previous copyrights as noted."

	Each submitter is well advised to register works with the
Copyright Office of the United States Library of Congress. Request
form PA and circular 50 by leaving a message on their hotline, (202)
707-9100.

	I intend to register the compilation as a whole with the
Copyright Office (with form SR). I will assume responsibility for
protecting the *compilation* (though I am unlikely have the means for
pursuing litigation), while each submitter assumes responsibility for
protecting their own work. I use my own name rather than MUSENET since
I am a more well-defined entity. Submitters are free to have any
copyright policy they wish (registered, self-proclaimed, or even
public domain).  The compilation does not affect any standing
copyright arrangement.
	Submitters are asked to include a release statement with each
submission, acknowledging this arrangement. A sample (and recommended)
release form is available via ftp as
anonymous@xcf.berkeley.edu:misc/netjam/announcements/MUSENET/release,
and by emailing musenet-request@xcf.berkeley.edu with the subject
"request for release form". It basically attempts to confirm that each
submitter understands what I'm saying here.
	U.S. copyright law is currently taken as the basis for MUSENET
policy.  I'm not (yet) responsible for global variations. It is
recommended that submitters register their work properly. Again, you
submit at your own risk. Take the proper precautions and be brave!
	Suggestions and informed advice are very much welcomed.

	
	Investments

	I can't currently front the entire project cost, so investors
are needed. The total project cost is estimated at $4000 US. 
	Each investor will receive a copy of MUSENET '92 from early in
the run, as well as their entire investment back when it has been
recouped, or 1 February 1993, whichever is first.

	
	Acknowledgements

	Brian Cox (thoth@uiuc.edu) for international shipping prices.
	Jeff Mallory (jeff@MILLIE.LOC.GOV) for US copyright advice.



	Thanks!

-C

-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Craig R. Latta           Experimental Computing Facility                (XCF)
Composer, Software and   ParcPlace Systems, Inc.        (latta@parcplace.com)
    Recording Engineer   NetJam, Berkeley                (netjam-request@xcf)
Newsgroups: rec.music.makers,rec.music.bluenote