Audio Video Mashups or Mixes: Right or Wrong?

They are commonly known as media mixes or mashups. A mashup can be loosely defined as combining mixed media files to create something new. The media file could be music, sound, video, film, images or a combination of them. Some files may be original, but mashups are often mixed with media files that have some type of Creative Commons license, or files that are in the public domain.

Mashups are nothing new and have been used by radio stations for years. Some stations would produce mock interviews using clips from current songs as the answers. These days DJs create mashups by mixing samples and audio recordings. And it's not just limited to audio either. In one of Woody Allen's early films, 'What's Up Tiger Lilly?' he took a Japanese spy film and replaced the audio track with his own. Even today La Quinta Inns & Suites does the same and produces television commercial mashups using old black and white films with new audio tracks.

For those interested in creating mashups you can find free media resources on the Internet to make your own, and a few will be mentioned later on. These web sites could be considered depositories but for now let's call them archives, because that's really what they are. Archives are sites that manage and generously donate web space for others to deposit their media files to share. The Internet Archive is one, as is Wikimedia Commons. These are different than sites like YouTube or Ovation TV, where the media is there only for viewing and you normally can't use their files for your projects. Most archive sites specialize in certain media like clip art, images, music, VJ loops, beats, fonts, 3D objects, textures, sound effects, videos and a whole host of other media.

People have different reasons for using these archive sites. There are the generous ones who upload files to these sites. They have many reasons for doing so, but most importantly to share with others. Then there are people like myself who download and use files from these sites for their own projects, always careful to adhere to the creator's conditions on their use. Public domain files are free to use in any way, even for commercial purposes. Finally there are people who visit these archive sites for the pure enjoyment of being entertained, especially those who visit the video archive sites. Personally I also enjoy watching some of the old footage. Much of it is intriguing, often quirky and takes you back to another time.

The most important rule in creating a mashup is to ensure you have permission to use whatever files are in your mix. If you're downloading media files from the Internet, there will always be some kind of notification there to let you know how you may use a particular file. Many media files will often carry a version of the Creative Commons license. Every file has different conditions on how you can use them, so read each one carefully and please give proper credit if indicated.

I'd say the most common type of mashup is the musical audio mixes. Download a few music files, sounds loops or effects. Add your own. Then with your editing software, mix them to create a new musical recording. Some mashup artists will take this a step further. They may add images, animations or VJ loops to create a music video. Sometimes clips from old films are added too.

This is the category many of my mashups fall into. Most of my mashups often contain edited clips from old film footage, although sometimes I'll include images I've animated as well. The audio track (if any) is then stripped and a new one created. I often give title credits in my mashups and include notations on where you can see the films in their entirety. Most footage used is public domain, but occasionally share-alike licensed material is borrowed.

Since the majority of public domain footage available either is silent, black & white or low budget color productions, it is often difficult for a modern viewer to sit through most of them, much less silent films. Action occurs at a slower pace in these films. Much of the content is predictable and even irrelevant for a modern viewer to relate to. With editing, changing film speed, adding effects or recording new audio, mashups breathe new life in these old films and help make them more accessible for a modern audience.

Somewhat of a minor dispute has risen as to the use of old public domain film files. Some purists feel that using this footage out of context is somehow detrimental to the film's integrity. While I understand feelings of those who appreciate and enjoy vintage film for what it is, the plain fact is that most people younger than forty do not. Black and white television was never a part of their lives. They only know quick cuts, flashy effects and millions of colors. How can an old silent film compete with that?

So I see mashups in a different light. For me they provide a creative means of generating interest in these old films for younger audiences to enjoy. If newer generations discover and learn to appreciate them, there is less chance of them being forgotten and lost forever. Mashups help younger audiences become aware of these old films in a forum they may have not otherwise found them. It's always cool to peek through a window and see where we have been. Isn't that what we all ultimately want?

For those wishing to use the many free media resources out there for their own mashups, here is a list of sites I've found with a variety of media resources. A few I visit on a regular basis. Some are commercial sites that only allow their resources to be used under very specific conditions, so read carefully. Most are archives with files having individual Creative Commons licensing.

FREE FILM & VIDEO FOOTAGE

If I've said it once, I'll say it again. The Internet Archive (www.archive.org) should be the first place to stop when looking for any free media resources. This huge archive not only has vintage films but also sound clips, music, VJ loops animations stock footage and a whole lot more. Files carry a variety of Creative Commons licenses, so do your research. This is also a great place to see other examples of mashups in the Community Video section of the site.

Stock Footage for Free

http://www.stockfootageforfree.com/

A wide variety of high-quality short stock clips you can download and use for free. Only registration and giving credit is required. They have a good choice of footage, time-lapse, loops, animation backgrounds and more. Provided by Footage Firm, a commercial site offering these in hopes you'll purchase their high-end DVD compilations. They also have affordable DVD specials for only shipping and handling fees.

VJ Vault

http://www.vjvault.com/

Free Loops & Clips for VJ's and Visual Artists. Here is a great collection of short video clips with various licenses, including public domain. Often used by Vjays, loops are also very useful for text backgrounds in videos. This site is also a social network with a growing and dedicated number of community users. Donations are always welcome.

FREE IMAGES

The Library of Congress and Wikimedia Commons are great places to find images for your mashups. Most images or audio files in the LOC are in the public domain, while Wikimedia Commons has images with a variety of licenses. If you need space images, look below.

NASA Images

http://www.nasaimages.org/

A service provided by the Internet Archive. Most images are public domain only requiring that you credit them. Take note of the special conditions for logos and images of people.

FREE SOUND EFFECTS

I use a lot of sound effects for my mashups. Over the years I've purchased sound effects libraries and created quite a few of my own, but sometimes I'll need a sound I don't have. Here are a few archives I've used in the past for free or licensed sound effects.

PacDV Free Sound Effects

http://www.pacdv.com/sounds/index.html

This is a commercial site with a small but good collection of free-to-use sound clips. The only requirement is that you do not re-distribute or re-sell the files for any purpose. A credit would be nice as well. They offer a more comprehensive collection of sounds on CD for a nominal price.

The Free Sound Project

http://www.freesound.org/

Freesound focuses only on sounds, not music. It is a collaborative database of Creative Commons licensed sounds, so read carefully.

SoundBible.com

http://soundbible.com/

A huge collection/depository of free-to-use sounds either with Creative Commons licenses or public domain files.

FREE MUSIC

I have my own production music library, so I personally haven't explored these sites in depth. But for those that don't have a music library, here are a couple of sites where you can find music beds for your mashups.

AudioNautix

http://www.audionautix.com/

Jason Shaw, a creative and generous composer who offers over 200 musical beds under the Creative Commons license 3.0. Crediting Jason is required for using his music and you can't alter, re-sell or re-distribute the files. Jason also welcomes donations via PayPal.

Free Soundtrack Music

http://www.freesoundtrackmusic.com/

A selection of production music with some free files you can use for productions of any kind, but most files require registration and a small reasonable fee for individual tracks. An extra fee is required if you want to use them for commercial purposes.

FREE GRAPHICS

I sometimes use clipart to create graphics for my mashups. Here are a couple of places to find free graphics.

CyberGifs.com, Free Web Graphics

http://www.cybergifs.com/

A decent collection of still and animated clipart, some artists require a link to their site. There are quite a few ads but no pop-ups.

Clker.com

http://www.clker.com/

This is a large archive/depository of public domain clipart and photos in vector or raster format.

FREE FONTS

Who doesn't need a cool font to spruce up a graphic or a video title text?

DaFont.com

http://www.dafont.com/

This archive/depository has a huge selection of fonts with a variety of different licenses. Please read and use carefully.

These are a few sites I occasionally visit for my mashups. Many other types of resources are out there as well. For 3D animators who don't like modeling, just do a search for free 3D objects or textures. You'll find a whole list. Whatever kind of resource you need, there are always generous and creative people on the web who enjoy sharing their work for others to use. So as always, have fun creating and sharing your special art, whether it is a mashup or other creative expression.