I have very simple, clear conditions for use of my songs in Youtube videos, covers, social media and streams – I support and encourage creativity and effort while I’m not ok with copying or stealing.
Below are the dos & don’ts and the conditions for using MOS songs in your own creative works. Be cool, show mutual respect and we’re gonna be all good & avoid issues.
Mutual respect FTW!
Streaming/Twitch:
My songs are free to use on Twitch streams. By far the best way to do this is through Pretzel Rocks, as it means I get paid for it :) https://www.pretzel.rocks/
If you're not on Pretzel, you can still use my songs. All I ask is that you credit them properly and tell your audience where to find me - send some new fans my way!
Cover Versions:
If you record your own cover version, including your own music & instrumentals, you can distribute this. As the songwriter I am entitled to a royalty share.
You may NOT use my recording of a song and replace the vocals with your own. This is not a cover version, it's glorified karaoke. It is illegal to distribute this; you'll get a copyright strike and my publishers will have it removed. You need to produce & record the music & instrumentals yourself if you are making a cover version.
To make this extra clear: You cannot take my version of Valhalla Calling or any other song, remove my vocals from the track and replace them with new vocals.
Don't do it.
If you do make a cover version of my song, please title it in your video: [Song name] by Miracle Of Sound - Cover by [Your name].
Do NOT list Miracle Of Sound as a featured artist on your cover version, or on your remix. But DO credit Gavin Dunne as the writer.
The best way to publish covers of my songs is through Distrokid.com - through their website you can organise an automatic royalty split with me and we won't need to spend time on legal stuff. However, please contact me before doing this in order to organise splits and get my approval. This is especially important for remixes, because those infringe on both songwriting copyright and recording (mechanical) copyright.
If you post the cover to social media like Tiktok, Twitter etc... please make sure to tag my social media account in your post - it's always @miracleofsound or miracleofsound. I'm an independent solo artist and I can't afford to have my songs & hard work going viral for other people without them giving me any credit. Mutual respect leads to good karma in the music world.
Videos:
If you use my music in your Youtube video, there is a chance you will receive a copyright claim from Sentric, Tunecore, Pretzel or Songtradr. This is not a strike and you won't be penalised or get in trouble, but you won't be able to monetise your video and it may be monetised by Youtube on my behalf.
I previously allowed total free use of my music but unfortunately not only did people keep abusing my goodwill, but scam companies and thieves were able to make repeated bogus copyright claims using my songs (including making false claims on my own channel) and steal money from myself and other people using my work. The only way to prevent that is to have my music placed on Youtube's content ID system under my own publishers.
Video Guidelines:
1. Please credit the song clearly both in the description and in the video itself, as follows:
In the video/Stream: ‘Song: (Song title here) by Miracle Of Sound’
2. In your video description please link to the original video on my own Youtube channel and to the song on Pretzel Rocks, Spotify or Youtube.
Simple!
Radio/Podcasts:
Same again. Just let your audience know who the song is by & send some new fans my way!
Do:
- Use the songs as music for your video/podcast intro/outro.
- Have the song as the backing for your own, original video content.
- Use the songs as the background music for your stream/vlog,vid etc…
- Make your own video with subtitles as long as it has different video content from the one on my channel, not a re-upload.
- Quote my lyrics with a credit on-screen as they are quoted
- Sing my song on Tiktok or social channels and credit Miracle Of Sound, either verbally or in text.
