Production music library

[[email protected]]

I want to register to become a client with DeWolfe, the problem is that
I'm not affiliated with the media/broadcast industry. Is there a
service available with whom I can buy any of DeWolfe's library music
through (like a middle man)? It's just for my own personal use, with no
intent to reproduce or broadcast in any way. I happen to really enjoy
the orchestral works from the 1940's to the 70's (Syd Dale, King
Palmer, Laurie Johnson, etc.). Unfortunately most of this stuff isn't
exactly available to consumers like me. What are my options? There's
alot of music I'd like to purchase. Any info is appreciated.
Bryan Lord

[videochas www.locoworks.com]

wrote:
> I want to register to become a client with DeWolfe, the problem is that
> I'm not affiliated with the media/broadcast industry. Is there a
> service available with whom I can buy any of DeWolfe's library music
> through (like a middle man)? It's just for my own personal use, with no
> intent to reproduce or broadcast in any way. I happen to really enjoy
> the orchestral works from the 1940's to the 70's (Syd Dale, King
> Palmer, Laurie Johnson, etc.). Unfortunately most of this stuff isn't
> exactly available to consumers like me. What are my options? There's
> alot of music I'd like to purchase. Any info is appreciated.
> Bryan Lord

Have you talked to DeWolfe? They will sell you the library, on disk or
on open reel tape, probably on CD now, for a reasonable cost, and then
you can contract for a fee per needle down, which you will never need
to pay, as long as you don't put the music to commercial use.
"Auditions" of the library (i.e. playing it for your personal
enjoyment) are always free.

[[email protected]]

> Have you talked to DeWolfe? They will sell you the library, on disk or
> on open reel tape, probably on CD now, for a reasonable cost, and then
> you can contract for a fee per needle down, which you will never need
> to pay, as long as you don't put the music to commercial use.
> "Auditions" of the library (i.e. playing it for your personal
> enjoyment) are always free.

Yes, I sent several emails to various people at DeWolfe. Having read
their disclaimer about who they're willing to sell their music to, I
don't hold out too much hope. But who knows. I was listening to some
Reg Tilsley auditions (none of his work seems to be available through
other companies), and the audio is 16k....about one step up from
horrible. I have collected quite abit of good quality music from the
APM website (from KPM, Carlin, Select Sound, and other libraries). I
guess I do have strange tastes in music. There was a time, not too long
ago, when there were about half a dozen radio stations in my area which
played this particular brand of music ("Beautiful" music stations they
were called), and of course it was always present in shopping malls and
supermarkets. At some point I guess people got tired of what the
industry now refers to as "elevator muzak" and it's been replaced with
the modern sound of "smooth jazz" (you know, Mariah Carey, Whitney
Houston). Great. :/
Bryan Lord

[videochas www.locoworks.com]

wrote:
> > Have you talked to DeWolfe? They will sell you the library, on disk or
> > on open reel tape, probably on CD now, for a reasonable cost, and then
> > you can contract for a fee per needle down, which you will never need
> > to pay, as long as you don't put the music to commercial use.
> > "Auditions" of the library (i.e. playing it for your personal
> > enjoyment) are always free.
>
> Yes, I sent several emails to various people at DeWolfe. Having read
> their disclaimer about who they're willing to sell their music to, I
> don't hold out too much hope. But who knows. I was listening to some
> Reg Tilsley auditions (none of his work seems to be available through
> other companies), and the audio is 16k....about one step up from
> horrible. I have collected quite abit of good quality music from the
> APM website (from KPM, Carlin, Select Sound, and other libraries). I
> guess I do have strange tastes in music. There was a time, not too long
> ago, when there were about half a dozen radio stations in my area which
> played this particular brand of music ("Beautiful" music stations they
> were called), and of course it was always present in shopping malls and
> supermarkets. At some point I guess people got tired of what the
> industry now refers to as "elevator muzak" and it's been replaced with
> the modern sound of "smooth jazz" (you know, Mariah Carey, Whitney
> Houston). Great. :/
> Bryan Lord

I have two suggestions.

1. Get a license as a small business... an audio production business.
Then write on your new letterhead and buy the library from DeWolfe.
How could they refuse?

2. Put a small ad in the trade classifieds asking for what you want.
Little productrion companies go out of business all the time and might
be willing to liquidate their music library.

[Scott Dorsey]

> wrote:
>I want to register to become a client with DeWolfe, the problem is that
>I'm not affiliated with the media/broadcast industry. Is there a
>service available with whom I can buy any of DeWolfe's library music
>through (like a middle man)? It's just for my own personal use, with no
>intent to reproduce or broadcast in any way. I happen to really enjoy
>the orchestral works from the 1940's to the 70's (Syd Dale, King
>Palmer, Laurie Johnson, etc.). Unfortunately most of this stuff isn't
>exactly available to consumers like me. What are my options? There's
>alot of music I'd like to purchase. Any info is appreciated.

Sure, lots of film production houses will allow you to pay DeWolfe fees
through them. The one I used to use was Palmer Films in San Francisco,
but they no longer exist. You might try Magno Sound in NYC, or just
call DeWolfe directly.

My suspicion is that the old LP libraries are out there, and probably sell
for cheap, too.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[[email protected]]

Well, I got my answer. They said the music is only available for
licensing, not personal use. Geeze, it's not like I was asking for free
deal. I was offering to pay them whatever the cost. With the way
they've managed to keep their precious library out of the hands of such
ruthless people as myself (quite well, I might add) they'd do a great
job in handling homeland security. Not sure who it benefits. I've
pondered going through all the legal wrangling. But at what cost, $$$
just so I can listen to some Syd Dale tunes on my Hi-Fi! They can keep
their damn music.
Bryan

[videochas www.locoworks.com]

wrote:
> Well, I got my answer. They said the music is only available for
> licensing, not personal use. <snip>
> Bryan

So form a company and buy the LPs for "licensing".

[[email protected]]

I found my saving grace. I've been visiting the website of the Robert
Farnon Society for the past of couple years now. It's chock full of
information about all the "light music" composers of the last century.
I never even realized they will get you CD's from any of the big name
libraries if you're a member. Plus I'll receive their quarterly
newsletter and some other goodies as well. So I guess that's probably
the best (and most honest) way to go about this whole thing. Thanks for
your help. By the way, I enjoyed browsing through your website. Did you
happen to see that episode of Deep Sea Detectives on the History
Channel where they found 2 locomotives from the 1830's off the coast of
New England? I'm from Massachusetts, so naturally it sparked my
interest...plus I love seeing some of those old shipwrecks they go
diving on. There was actually talk about raising the locomotives
because they're so early. That would be something to see! Wish I could
find more information about them online.
Bryan Lord

[videochas www.locoworks.com]

wrote:
> I found my saving grace. I've been visiting the website of the Robert
> Farnon Society for the past of couple years now. It's chock full of
> information about all the "light music" composers of the last century.
> I never even realized they will get you CD's from any of the big name
> libraries if you're a member.
<snip>
> Bryan Lord

Here's the link to the Society's main page:
http://www.rfsoc.org.uk/
Very interesting. They offer a large selection of CDs.