Using Breakbeat CDs in your music - license needed?

[jedilaw]

I'm slightly confused about how one would go about legally using the materials from an audio CD of breakbeats.

I know that when companies sell sample sets on data discs (WAV/ACID/REX etc), they typically do so on a "royalty free" basis, meaning that once you buy the set, you can use it however you like.

I've come across audio disks that state that they are intended for use by DJs and producers, but these DON'T say that they are "royalty free." For example, Simon Harris' Myspace page states

Simon Harris also produced many breakbeat albums designed for DJ's and producers including 'Beats. Breaks and Scratches' in 12 volumes which would be licensed and used by many Grammy Award winning artists including REM, Luthor Vandross and many more.

Am I correct in assuming that in order to use something from one of those audio CDs in a song you'd have to get a license from the creator of the disc first? Do any of you have experience in acquiring such a license? How much money are we talking about here?

[AtypicalAudio]

If it's not stated clearly that you are using a royalty free sound collection then one would assume that you have to get a license. Afaik Simon Harris' albums don't have a royalty-free license. I don't how much money is involved, I guess it depends on what you want to do with the sounds in the first place. Ask and you will know.

You could try looking for similar sounds within royalty free libraries, that would be my suggestion. There's plenty of good sample libraries about these days, some of them available as instant downloads.

Peter