LEGAL STUFF Can members of GEMA or other collecting societies release CDs on NovaTune? Yes, as member of GEMA or another collecting society you can also release your songs on our label. We will register every produced CD at the German GEMA and we pay the GEMA-fee for the relase. Please ask us first if you are a member of another collecting society - we have to ask the GEMA first if you can get your money through them.   Can I release cover versions on NovaTune? Usually you are allowed to release cover versions on our label, as we make the GEMA payments for the cover song and therefore the original composers get their royalties. The one important thing is that for legal reasons we can only release interpretations. That means that you are only allowed to play the song like it was played by the original artists and cant change music or lyrics. Adjustments in tuning or playing the song in your own style is of course allowed - as long as the arrangement of the original song is not changed. If the original writers of the song are not members of the GEMA or another collecting society that cooperates with the GEMA, you need a written permission from the original song writers that you are allowed to release their song as cover version. In this case we need a copy of this permission and the contact data of the original writer, so that he can get his royalties from us.   Can I sell my CDs, too? Of course you are allowed to sell the CDs produced by us, for example on your concerts. You can order your CDs at special reduced prices - starting from 1 copy. If you sell your own CDs you even make a little bit more profit. But you are not allowed to produce the same CD for yourself (burn your own CDs) as you have signed the contract with us that assigned us to produce and distribute your CD.   Can I release my Songs on other CDs, too? Yes and no. You can release your songs on other CDs, but remember that we are the official licensees of these songs. That means that releases on other CDs have to be licensed through us and you get 50 percent of the license fee. So if you are asked to release one of your songs on a compilation or others CDs, we ask you to send the interested party to us - we will deal with them and care about the licence payments.   Can I release my CDs on other labels, too? No, as we have signed a contract, you are not allowed to release the accordant CD or the songs on this CD on other labels. If you have produced another CD and want to release it on another label you can do this of course - but you are not allowed to use songs already released in the same form on the CD you released on our label. If you (or we) cancel the contract in due time you are allowed to release the CD on another label - but only after the contract period.   Which shops sell my CD? Your CD can be ordered at all German shops that use the order service PhonoNet. That's little shops as well as big chains.  PRODUCTION How can I master my songs really good? There are some rules for mastering your songs. The most important thing is that the mix sounds clear and every song ist made loude (compressing, maximizing). But be careful - too much EQ or too strong compression can ruin the hole song. Therefore use a little less compression and preserve the clear mix.   How long will the checking of my Master CD take? That depends on how many CDs we have to check at the moment. We are trying to listen to all CDs as soon as possible and usually you should hear from us one or two weeks after you have sent us your CD.