Can I use Apple Loops in my production music?

[TLovato]

Basically for those who don't know, Apple Loops are the stock royalty-free loops that come with Logic Pro. Technically the copyright is owned by Apple, but these loops are put in there specifically for people to use in their music however they see fit.

I'm working on Listing # S241205RZ which is looking for Blues instrumentals, and one of the instruments featured in the references is a harmonica. I don't play harmonica, but I found some cool harmonica Apple Loops that I want to use. But I don't want to submit this music if it's just going to get turned down by the publisher for having loops in it (don't wanna get blacklisted lol). Is it okay to use these royalty-free loops from my DAW in the submissions? Or would the publisher see it as unprofessional in any way?

Thanks in advance!

[guitargurumike]

I'm pretty new at using samples myself, but here's what my research has unearthed:

Using RF samples is still kind of dicey (pun intended). I would avoid using melodic and/or vocal loops in their entirety, or even significant melodic components. I tend to sample one (or a few) notes, then insert into midi, and write my own. This is really easy to do in Logic 10.5 or later. If you really like the melody loop, you can also just play it on your own similar sounding instrument. Your own performance is perfectly legit.

Most license agreements in this regard are ambiguous (yes, I asked a lawyer). Read the license agreement with Logic carefully. Most RF samples have language that does NOT allow you to sublicense or sell their samples. However, many will say that you can use them freely in "Your Recording" (i.e. a combination of elements including their samples) which is no longer technically "Their Samples". Here's the real kicker: what if you license the song and they want stems, and one of those stems is an unedited sample? You have just licensed a pure sample which is clearly in violation. Will they come after you? Probably not unless it's a big hit song, but that's quite a big risk if you ask me.

The solution (not legal advice, just my opinion) is to slice, dice, put it in midi, add FX, time stretch, transpose. Get it to a point where it is totally your own and they (or worse, TUNESAT) cannot detect it. That said, I am still searching for a case of LANDR (that's who I use for RF) going after a legit artist for anything related to samples. I've heard an 8 bar vocal (speaking) sample from LANDR in a very popular EDM song, and I don't think they went after them. I used to have Club Sounds V.3 from NI too, and I hear those samples CONSTANTLY in popular EDM & Hip hop, so I know the sample companies must hear those all the time. Do they go after artists? Maybe not yet. Maybe one day...mwa ha ha!

[TLovato]

Here's the real kicker: what if you license the song and they want stems, and one of those stems is an unedited sample? You have just licensed a pure sample which is clearly in violation. Will they come after you? Probably not unless it's a big hit song, but that's quite a big risk if you ask me.

Never thought of it that way. I will probably have to find a collaborator to play harmonica in this case. Thanks for the detailed response!

[AlanHall]

I am also no expert, but have been lurking on these discussions for some time. By far, most of the loops that are 'copyright sensitive' are drum/percussion loops (after all, who hasn't thrown down a rhythmic loop and tracked something fun on top?) and the advice is always as above - chop/edit if you can, and NEVER put it in an exposed place where it can be shazam'd or leave it exposed as a stem. Always mask it. And even then it's considered dicey. Why, you ask? Because if it's a killer loop from a killer sample pack then someone else has probably used it before you did, and any automatic recognition software is going to point to the original (or most famous) use of that loop.

Where am I going with this? Unless you're lifting an actual recording of Stevie Wonder and passing his harp off as your own, the chance of a harmonica sample getting you into trouble is pretty low. I'd advise against making a blues composition simply by laying down phrase after phrase, unedited and unmangled. That's not a thoughtful or creative use of the material. That said, cutting/splicing and otherwise making the overall melodic shape of the loop (probably more accurate to describe as a 'phrase') into your own creation will almost certainly be enough to claim it as your own intellectual property. My engineer brain says if I have put sufficient work into a 'found sound' to make it my own - an expression of my own musical voice - then it is mine. Caveat: I am NOT an IP lawyer

Maybe another question could be "how far will this harmonica loop carry you?" A collaborator that can provide you with track after track of harp playing just might be the better option, if you expect to do a lot in that style.

[alleycat]

Maybe another question could be "how far will this harmonica loop carry you?" A collaborator that can provide you with track after track of harp playing just might be the better option, if you expect to do a lot in that style.

I've been analyzing the swamp blues listing. Two of three references have serious harmonica, and these are not parts that can be sampled, IMO. So in that case, yes, I have to play it or hire someone to do it. I think you might be right about using a modified loop in other contexts, but everything I have read here leads me to avoid any kind of loops or samples.

[BradleyHagen]

Basically for those who don't know, Apple Loops are the stock royalty-free loops that come with Logic Pro. Technically the copyright is owned by Apple, but these loops are put in there specifically for people to use in their music however they see fit.

I'm working on Listing # S241205RZ which is looking for Blues instrumentals, and one of the instruments featured in the references is a harmonica. I don't play harmonica, but I found some cool harmonica Apple Loops that I want to use. But I don't want to submit this music if it's just going to get turned down by the publisher for having loops in it (don't wanna get blacklisted lol). Is it okay to use these royalty-free loops from my DAW in the submissions? Or would the publisher see it as unprofessional in any way?

Thanks in advance!

Yes Apple Loops are technically "Royalty Free" but I would avoid using ANY melodic loops at this point in time..... Stuff like percussion is generally OK, but I would consider finding a decent library with a harmonica sample, and playing it in yourself via MIDI...... Yeah, hiring a harmonica player is great, but is not cost effective.... I have heard that on here alot "just hire a horn section!" It just isn't feasible, unless you have some buddies who will help you out for a few beers. My rule? Percussion loops are OK, avoid all others....

[cosmicdolphin]

Pretty much all Exclusive libararies will say no to using sampled loops.

This video is 5yrs old but still applies

https://youtu.be/5k19mkWicMc?si=TJaVhdASyXXh7Lex&t=380