Before we send out any audio or video recordings we make sure to obtain all the mechanical (audio) and synchronization (video) licenses required. This means contacting the copyright owners or publishers of the music and paying them for the right to make recordings of their pieces. Soundwaves takes our legal obligations very seriously, and we fully support the composers and publishers that are critical to producing the music we record.

Selling recordings without the proper licenses would put us at risk, as well as place the performing group, the organizer, and even the venue at risk. Soundwaves has been at the forefront of recording music education performances for over thirty years and we are proud of our commitment to keeping all of our recordings legal and licensed.

What is your recording process?

Our goal is to make high-quality live recordings that capture the sound of being at the performance. We do not mic individual musicians or sections but capture the sound of the entire ensemble. We do capture individual soloists or accompanists when necessary, but for the most part we are looking to keep our recordings as true as we can to the live performance.

For our video recordings, we have a four-camera system that can provide coverage from multiple angles. This allows us to make sure that every performer’s face can be seen on camera. We also have a rear-facing camera to capture the director during the performance.

Once the performance is finished the audio is mixed and mastered, and all four camera feeds are edited into one dynamic video. The final audio is synchronized to the video and the recordings are ready to be distributed.

If you are considering making recordings, be aware that you are legally allowed to make only one copy for use in the classroom without being required to obtain and pay copyright license fees for any copyrighted material you use. If you plan to duplicate recordings for your students it is necessary for you to obtain and pay mechanical license fees to the copyright holder, the composer, and the arranger of each piece you record. Giving the recordings away, being a non-profit organization, not making any profit on the recording project, or not selling to the general public are not exceptions to this law. Mechanical Licenses and Synchronization Licenses must still be filed and paid.

Yes. We keep masters of every recording by Soundwaves and reorders are always available.

Yes, all music conferences, festivals, and district events we have recorded in the past are available. Please check the online music catalog or call us at out toll free number: 419-433-4918

Recordings for All is a way of ensuring that every student in your ensemble can get a high-quality audio and video recording at half the price they would otherwise pay. Families receive a $45 value (an MP3 audio and an MP4 multi-camera video) for the discounted price of $20. Or a $20 value (an MP3 audio recording) for the discounted price of $10.

Your organization thus provides a significant benefit to your students with no cost to you – it is budget neutral.  You can simply add $20 (or $10) to your registration fees, and everyone gets a recording at a deep discount!

 Soundwaves does not send an invoice to you until all the recordings have been distributed to the students. 

We, of course, purchase all the necessary mechanical and synchronization licenses for each copy of each piece recorded so that there are no copyright violations. 

No. We used to produce physical media. (CDs and DVDs) but these days fewer and fewer people want them, and many people don’t even have the ability to play them. We are proud of our history producing physical media, but we only produce digital files now. You are free to burn your copy of the recording on one disc for personal use if you like, but we no longer sell physical copies.