Frequently Asked Questions: General QuestionsﾠﾠﾠPurchasing & DownloadingﾠﾠﾠLicensing & RoyaltiesﾠﾠﾠNewsletter & Free Samples ﾠ GENERAL QUESTIONSﾠﾠﾠtop What is a vocal sample?
A vocal sample is a brief a cappella vocal recording, usually between :01 and :30 seconds long. What is a cappella?
"A capella" means singing without instrumental accompaniment. What format or "recording specs" do you use?
All samples are in CD quality .wav format (44.1kHz, 16-bit). All samples are "dry" (no effects). Do you offer custom vocal samples?
We're looking into this, but it's still in the planning stages. Stay tuned! ﾠ PURCHASING and DOWNLOADINGﾠﾠﾠtop How do I download vocal samples?
After you complete payment via PayPal or credit card, you'll be redirected to the download page.
IMPORTANT: do not close the PayPal window or refresh your browser while the transaction is processing. It might take half a minute or longer, but wait until you're redirected to the download page. After your transaction is completed, you'll receive an email with a download link. If your email program has a spam filter, be sure to check your bulk/junk folder. If you close the PayPal window before waiting to be redirected, your PayPal account will be charged and no download link will be sent to you. If this happens, please send us an email through our contact page. We'll process your order manually, and then you can download the link from your profile by logging in, then clicking "My Profile," "View Past Orders," and then clicking the download link for your order. Can I get a refund if I'm not satisfied with the quality of the sample?
No, all sales are final unless the sample is "damaged." We strongly recommend listening to samples before purchasing so you'll know what to expect. "Damaged sample" criteria are referenced in the license you accept during checkout. Examples of damaged samples include: - Incomplete download
- Unplayable file
- Corrupted file ﾠ LICENSING / ROYALTIES ﾠﾠﾠtop May I release my music using the vocal samples I purchased without paying additional licensing fees or royalties?
Yes, you are free to sell your music incorporating our samples without paying additional licensing fees or royalties. Is it OK to release an a cappella version as one of my remixes?
No, this is considered "resale," which is not covered under the License Agreement. Should I use the sample vocalist's name on my music releases?
No, vocal samples may not be attributed to the artists without advance written permission from both the artist and VocalDownloads.com. Please see the License Agreement for more information. Do we have to give VocalDownloads.com credit on our releases?
No, you don't have to give us credit, but if you want to give us credit, you are welcome to use the following or similar wording: "Vocal samples courtesy of VocalDownloads.com." When copyrighting my song, where on the copyright form do I list the samples?
U.S. Copyright Form: File your works as a derivative of the original copyright.
- In Space 6A, indicate "contains some samples licensed for use."
- In Space 6B, indicate "all additional lyrics and music." This section indicates what material you are registering and claiming authorship for. If you are outside the U.S., contact your local copyright office for instructions on how to copyright musical compositions that incorporate licensed vocal samples. Are your vocal samples and related products "copyright free"?
No, VocalDownloads.com retains copyright on all vocal samples and related products. When you purchase our products, you are buying a license to use the content within specific criteria. Please refer to the previous question on copyrighting your sound recordings using our vocal samples and related products. What does "royalty-free" mean?
Royalty-free means that after you pay for the sample once, you can use it as many times as you want, with just a few restrictions (see License Terms). May I use vocal samples on more than one computer?
You, the purchaser/licensee, may use the sample on any computers that you own. May I resell VocalDownloads.com samples?
No, reselling our samples or allowing anyone else to resell them is prohibited. However, you may sell or license your original music productions that incorporate our samples. May I post samples on my site for download?
No, offering our samples for download or allowing anyone else to offer them for download is prohibited. However, you may offer for download your original music productions that incorporate our samples. May I give away the samples I purchased to my friends?
No, the License Agreement allows only the license purchaser to use the samples. ﾠ NEWSLETTER & FREE SAMPLES ﾠﾠﾠtop Do you have any FREE vocal samples?
Yes, you can download a variety of free vocal samples on our "Free Samples" page. Additional free samples are also available to our Newsletter subscribers. The Newsletter goes out during the first week of every month and includes subscriber instructions and a passcode for downloading your free samples. You have 2-3 days to download the samples after the Newsletter goes out. Once the passcode expires, you can no longer download those samples, but new samples will be available the following month. I subscribed, but I didn't receive the newsletter. Can you resend it?
Please check your spam filter and, if necessary, add us to your "approved" list. Our email system will not resend the Newsletter or free sample passcode. |
