Showing posts with label Audio Distribution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Audio Distribution. Show all posts

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Physical and Virtual: Various Outlets for Audio Distribution

9:41 AM by Maximizing Media MinistriesNo comments

Audio… It is easy enough to record it, but how are we supposed to distribute the recording of the audio to others? Let us say that we recorded a sermon, and someone wants to listen to it again. Or, we recorded a special event, and everyone in the church wants a copy. How are we to effectively and efficiently distribute the recordings to those who want to relive the occasion? In this post, we are going to look at several different ways to distribute our recordings in both physical and virtual environments. We will be looking at the normal way, the new way, the easy way, and the better way.

Physical Distribution: CDs and FDs

When we decide to distribute audio physically, we have several different choices of physical devices. For instance, we used to have tapes, records, reel-to-reel, etc. But, in today’s constantly changing environment, which system should we use? The two most popular devices that are used today for distributing audio recordings are CDs and flash drives.

The normal way: CDs

First, CDs provide a standard convenience that almost everyone can easily utilize. In order to make the CDs easier to use, I use a program called “Slice” to divide the mp3 recordings into files of two minutes each. This procedure enables the listener to be able to jump to a certain track more easily. Once the files are all cut up, we then need to burn them to a CD. While there are many different programs available for burning audio CD’s, I use a program called “Cyberlink Power2Go” that enables me to easily burn mp3’s to a CD without having to do the converting process myself. In summary, CDs provide a standard method for distributing audio recordings to others. The programs that I mentioned above are available at:

The new way: Flash Drives

Whereas CD’s provide a standard method for distribution, flash drives have become a popular method for sharing audio files. One major convenience with flash drives is that the audio files can be easily and quickly copied off of the flash drive onto an mp3 player or phone to provide easy access whenever the individual wishes to listen to the recording. Flash drives can be especially useful when a certain person wants a lot of recordings. In summary, flash drives have been gaining popularity for their ease of use and their growing availability.

Virtual Distribution: Online Storage

In stark contrast to physical distribution, virtual distribution provides an easily accessible location where the most recent audio recordings can be located. One primary advantage that online storage has is that users can download the recordings at any time of day rather than being limited to a set schedule when copies can be made of physical media. In terms of distribution online, there are many different services we could use, but we be limiting it down to two services that are free to use: Dropbox and WordPress.

The easy way: Dropbox

Dropbox provides an easy way to share files. There are basically three steps to share files on Dropbox: signing up, uploading files, and sharing the files. Dropbox make their website so easy to use that the entire process is simple and can be done quite quickly. The first step is signing up. With their free service, they only give users an initial two gigabytes of space, but if you sign up with my referral link below, you can receive an extra half gigabyte of space. Second, we have the choice to download and use the installer or just use the web interface. Personally, I find it much easier to use the desktop application rather than having to always login to the website version. So, once we have installed the program, we can simply copy our audio recordings into a folder within our new Dropbox folder. Ideally, we want to name the folder in which we are placing the recordings to reflect what it is going to contain because others will be able to see the name. Finally, once the files are uploaded, share the folder by sharing the Dropbox link. The easiest way to do this is by going to the website and clicking “Share” and then “Send Link.” You can then either use the email feature offered within Dropbox or copy the URL and share it with those with whom you wish to share the recordings!

The better way: WordPress

While Dropbox provides an easy method for sharing our recordings, a better method would be to utilize WordPress. WordPress offers free websites as long as the website is a subdomain of theirs (***.wordpress.com). If your church already has a WordPress website, then you do not need to do the first step. If you do not already have a WordPress site, you have to go and create an account and a subdomain. Once we have that set up, we need to add the widget for sermons. Next, we need to upload the sermons. Once we have our new page up and ready, we need to simply share the URL to our new page! While this method may be a little more complex, it is a much better route to go that will enable users to listen to recordings directly on the website.

Conclusion

In summary, we have seen several different ways for distributing our recordings both in physical and virtual environments. While physical media provides a great resource for the local church, online storage with its ready availability is becoming a popular choice. Are you ready to distribute your audio recordings? More than likely, there are individuals in your church who would love to listen to a service they missed or one they want to listen to again. So, get ready and distribute your audio via one or more methods!
 
Did we miss your favorite method for distributing audio recordings? Please let us know in the comments section below!


If you have not had a chance to do so, please visit our recent postings!

Monday, April 20, 2015

A Necessary Component for Live Streaming: Audio

8:28 PM by Maximizing Media MinistriesNo comments
Adding the Audio

 The audio—what’s that? The audio is the most important part of a video broadcast. Without audio, all video is practically worthless. This fact is evidenced clearly in the first minute of the following video. This video is from Faith First Media and comes third in a series of "Setting up the Equipment for a Video Ministry." To view the first two, go to:
  • Part 2: Making the Connections - https://vimeo.com/12674390  

Part 3: Audio for Video

After watching this video, what value do you place on audio within videos?


Remember to check out our most recent posts!

Thursday, April 16, 2015

How to legally broadcast and record copyrighted music

3:36 PM by Maximizing Media MinistriesNo comments
How to legally broadcast and record copyrighted music

There are several different ways to legally broadcast and record copyrighted music. In our last post, We looked at specific Copyright Regulations and Audio/Video Distribution within the Local Church. Today, we will be analyzing these different avenues for legal distribution through a Prezi. Have fun!


Once again, our three different options were:
  1. Get Permission
  2. Tread Carefully
  3. Avoid the Issue
Have you had any experience with copyrighted music? Which option do you recommend? Please leave your answers in the comment form below!


If you have not already done so, please check our previous posts!

Monday, April 13, 2015

Copyright Regulations and Audio/Video Distribution within the Local Church

5:46 PM by Maximizing Media MinistriesNo comments

Is copying music... LEGAL?

Have you ever done it? Have you ever copied music illegally? According to Church Music Publishers Association’s (CMPA) website, penalties can range “from $500 to $100,000 per copyright infringed.” In other words, there are severe penalties for copying music illegally. These penalties not only apply to individuals but to churches as well. But, churches do not have to be fined for making copies of music if they get the proper permission. In this post, we will be looking at why churches need this permission, how they can obtain it, and what it will do for them.

Why churches need permission

Exclusive Rights

First, churches need permission to record or broadcast copyright music because the exclusive rights to the music have been given to the owner. Usually, the owner is the author or composer but can also be a publisher, etc. The important factor is that there is always someone or some organization that has exclusive rights to all copyright music. Further, these exclusive rights mean that the owner has the right to decide who can make copies. Under copyright law, churches have permission to perform copyrighted religious works within a church service. Thus, permission is still necessary when the church wishes to broadcast or record the music.

Incentives

Another reason why churches need to get permission is that the government hands out stiff penalties for those who copy music illegally. More specifically, when copyrighted music is streamed via the internet without permission, the penalties can be even more severe. According to the Christian Copyright Licensing International’s (CCLI) website, “the penalties can be severe…up to $150,000 per infringement.” In summary, the penalties provide the incentive to do what is right. And the right thing to do is to get permission.

How to get permission

The Basics

Now that we have seen the need to get permission, how are we to get it? There are multiple ways to get this permission for broadcasting or recording. The first method is to get permission from the individual authors or composers, but this method causes for a lot of extra work. While this route may be fine if we were to just get permission for a couple songs, we would not want to do this for long! The better option would be to go through a licensing program that has already done the work for us. While there are a few competitors in this market, the one that is most widely used by churches is the CCLI. This organization provides its services at an annual cost to churches.

CCLI

Now that we have learned the basics of getting permission, we need to know a little more detail. CCLI provides various different licenses so that churches can choose which would be best for them. In order to broadcast our services, we need to choose the “Stream License.” While prices vary depending upon the size of the regular attendance, the starting price comes out at $60 per year. But, this is not all we need because CCLI requires their basic “Church Copyright License” as a prerequisite. The starting price for this comes out at $55 per year. According to their website, this only accommodates up to 24 people. So, most likely we will have to go to the next option. Here, we see the price as being $116 for up to 99 people. Once we have purchased our annual membership through CCLI for both of these licenses, we are ready to go!

What this permission will do

Recording/Streaming

There are two primary actions that our new licensing will allow us to do. These are recording and live streaming our copyrighted music. In order to clarify the distinction between the two licenses, the “Stream License” is the essential element for streaming our services. Without it (or a similar service), we cannot legally broadcast our copyright music. If you did not actually want to live stream your services, but only wanted to record them, then only the basic “Church Copyright License” is necessary.

Benefits/Restrictions

While we purchased the “Church Copyright License” with the sole purpose of live streaming our copyright music, this license also opens the doors for other exciting opportunities as well. As I already mentioned, this license allows us to record the music. In addition, this license also allows us to “Store Lyrics,” “Print Songs,” “Make Custom Arrangements,” “Create Projections,” and “Translate Songs.” Especially useful of the new legal rights that we now have is the ability to copy music for congregational songs. Notice that I said congregational songs. CCLI makes it very clear on their website that the license has certain restrictions attached to it. One particular restriction that we should note is that they only grant permission for religious songs on their list. Their licensing does not allow for the recording or streaming of secular songs.

Conclusion

In summary, we have seen the need for permission, how we are to attain it, and what it will do for us. While the legal restrictions and penalties are a great incentive to do what is right, we must also remember that we have another reason to do what is right. And that reason is that we are to do all to the Glory of God. As such, if we are going to broadcast or record any copyrighted music, we need to be sure that we are doing so legally.

Helpful articles/services:

If you have not already done so, please check our previous posts!

Monday, April 6, 2015

Interviewing an Audio/Video Specialist

6:05 PM by Maximizing Media MinistriesNo comments


Today, we are going to interview someone who has had considerable experience in various audio and video ministries. We chose Mr. Rex Munyon because of his experience and love for ministry.

Introduction

Rex Munyon, before we actually get to the interview questions, could you introduce yourself and briefly explain what brought you to this point/position in your life?

I’ve been a Watertown resident thru my years of schooling in the Academy and college. After college, I married my wife and we lived in Indiana for 16 years. We moved back to Watertown to work at MBBC (now MBU) in 2001, and worked there for 10 years. I have a Bachelors Degree from MBBC, and a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. I became interested in sound board systems while in junior high. I followed that interest and worked the sound board at the churches I’ve been a member of. I was interested in video as well, and spent a number of years working at Maranatha in charge of the audio and video needs of the campus, including events in the gym and A/V needs in classrooms.

Live Streaming

What tools do you use to live stream?

My church (Calvary Baptist in Watertown) does live streaming. I’ve helped with it very little, and have not done anything with it in over a year. I know the church uses a service to live stream, but I don’t know much beyond that.

What are the primary benefits of live streaming?

Live streaming allows those not able to attend a service in person to still watch a service. I’ve personally benefited by watching live stream while sick and while recovering from surgery.

Who do you see as being benefited by live streaming?

Live streaming can benefit a wide variety of people. My first thought is the elderly who can’t physically attend, although some of them would not have the tech savvy or the equipment to live stream. Others who are sick for a day, or invalid due to surgery, or on vacation, or former members who are no longer in the area can all benefit from live streaming.

Audio Distribution

What software do you use for recording/editing audio?

Calvary Baptist uses a computer and “Audacity”, a free recording software package to record audio. It is very versatile for a lot of the audio editing needs as well.

What software/services do you use for distributing audio via the internet?

I’m not totally sure, but I think it is Sermon audio, an internet service.

What are some other avenues of distribution that you use for audio?

There are some who still like to have cd’s. I see more things moving to mp3, although I don’t see a service like iTunes or similar being used to distribute sermons. Many churches can keep their library of sermons on a server at the church, but services like Sermonaudio can also be used.

Copyright Concerns

What do you see as the primary copyright concerns?

Music is copyrighted. I will only record special music if the person performing it requests it. Then I will record for that person, but I won’t put it on the website or sell to others. I’m not certain of all the copyright laws, and I see them changing a lot over the next few years. I don’t think copyright will be as great a concern in the future as it is now.

What would you recommend to churches that are wishing to broadcast/distribute copyright music?

Hire a lawyer who is an expert in that area, and pick his brain for a couple of hours. A year later, hire him for an hour to see what has changed, and let that be a method of practice on-going.

Final thoughts

What advice do you have for someone wishing to expand their audio/video ministry?

Don’t skimp on decent sound system. Find what is current and use it as much as possible. These areas are changing quite rapidly, and it is a challenge to keep up.

What tools/websites do you recommend to those expanding?

Just do your research. There are multiple sites that have good information for “houses of worship”, which is the new catch-all phrase for churches. I personally like Shure microphones. Hire a consultant, or have 2 or 3 come in to give bids and recommendations before deciding what to do or how to expand.

What final thoughts would you like to share?

I look at the audio ministry as a supplement to the purposes of the church (which is the distribution of the gospel). The audio ministry should always enhance what is happening, and otherwise be transparent (like it isn’t there). If things work well, no one notices. If they work badly, everyone notices. My goal is to have no one notice, because the sound works well and adds to the services. If someone were to not come to Christ because something in the audio distracted him/her at a critical time, the audio system has failed and possibly prevented a person from going to heaven. That would be a tragedy.

Conclusion

Thank you Rex Munyon for your letting me interview you! I greatly appreciate it, and am sure that those here at Maximizing Media Ministries also appreciate it!


Now that we have had the opportunity to learn such valuable insight, let us switch gears a little and bring out a few points of focus by asking some follow-up questions:
  1. What/who are the prime benefits of live streaming?
  2. Can you think of any other ways to address copyright concerns?
  3. What idea impacted you the most?
You can respond via the comments section below.

If you have not had a chance yet, check out our most recent post: “Maximizing Media through Live Streaming”

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