Is it unethical to edit your recording for YouTube?

[bassclique]

Hi Y'all.

A question for you regarding the manufacture of YouTube videos.

Do you think it's unethical or cheating to perfect a YouTube video by editing the audio component until it is perfect, and then syncing it to the image, so that it looks like you can play it better than you probably can if you just did one take? For instance, you might do 3-4 takes and then splice the good parts and paste them into a single track, thus making it appear that you've it perfectly the whole way through.

Or, should people just keep doing "takes" until they are satisfied with their performance?

I guess in some ways, it depends on the purpose, for example, if i were giving a lesson (which i won't be), then editing might be the way to go, as you need to model the playing for other people.

But, i think playing a cover version is different. I am interested to hear people's views on this.

Thanks

What do you think?

[Clef_de_fa]

well this is how they make a CD ... but on youtube it could be nice that you do it in one take in front of webcam or camera.

You know it is a nice skill to have to be able to play your song in one take ...

[bassclique]

Originally Posted by Clef_de_fa

well this is how they make a CD ... but on youtube it could be nice that you do it in one take in front of webcam or camera.

You know it is a nice skill to have to be able to play your song in one take ...

But, you could also record the audio separately and then videotape yourself playing along to it, which is the same as editing multiple takes together.

I guess, for me, i'd like to see myself doing it in a single take, regardless of how many takes it took.

[PimasterPearson]

I'd say if you do any edits, you should probably mention that in the video description.

[HolmeBass]

It is not unethical unless you claim to have recorded it in one take. Most music consumers don't care at all, and would rather hear something note-perfect than a honest performance. Which is why they're surfing YouTube for music instead of going out to see live music in the first place.

[Slowgypsy]

Whether it's ethical or not, in this instance, might be a somewhat personal decision. The fact is, that in almost all media, editing/splicing/compositing/altering/tweaking/etc, is the process by which the whole is compiled to tell the desired story.

Personally, I believe that if you're doing a teaching thing and demonstrating a particular technique.... that should be as live and unaltered as possible. Everything else is fair game.

[Ski3223]

Originally Posted by Slowgypsy

Personally, I believe that if you're doing a teaching thing and demonstrating a particular technique.... that should be as live and unaltered as possible. Everything else is fair game.

Agreed.

[JazznFunk]

If I post anything on YouTube, it's all one take. Is editing unethical? That's debatable. I personally can't sleep at night unless I know that I am honest with myself and what goes out over the interwebz, warts and all. In the context of recording in a studio for an album, editing or punching in saves time and if the error is small, it's worth a quick punch to save an otherwise great take. Different contexts... in a studio, time is money.

[bassclique]

Thanks for your replies. I guess i should have said "dishonest" or "cheating". I'm not sure whether "unethical" is the right word, but it seems everyone's getting the drift!

I mainly meant in relation to bass covers, and yeah, totally agree with professional recording. Multiple takes and punching in are the essence of what it's all about. I kind of like the idea of the whole 'liveness' of it all. If i wanted to see a polished event, i'd watch a film clip! That's not to say that there aren't those who are technically fantastic. I just like to see it in all it's honesty, even if it takes all day to do (which some people disclose).

[JehuJava]

If you're gonna do that, make the video interesting like this:

Enigma - Video by Jack Conte - Envelope Filter for Bass - YouTube

Don't just sit in front of your web cam and make us think you recording direct.

[bassclique]

Originally Posted by JehuJava

If you're gonna do that, make the video interesting like this:

Enigma - Video by Jack Conte - Envelope Filter for Bass - YouTube

Don't just sit in front of your web cam and make us think you recording direct.

Yeah, you're right. Nice

[JehuJava]

Honestly, I'd prefer to hear a polished, well recorded bit than 99% of the crappy computer mic one-take-recordings (not saying you guys above are this, just that they exist on YT). I'm a realist. I know people make mistakes, so I don't care if someone edits their mistakes...it's no different than doing punch-ins while recording yer CD. The CD doesn't say anything about punch-ins or over dubs or triggered samples, etc. I'd rather hear the whole bassline in all it's greatness as it is meant to be heard by the composer.

[James Judson]

To much ethics around here!!!

When you present anything to the "public" it should be the best you can possibly do cuz it will follow you around for long time. That includes dubs, punch ins, remixes, effects etc.


I was recently in a very popular band and some of our fans would post YT vids that were horrible. Thanks for the help guys!!!!! I say counter that bull with the best vid you can come up with. Hey I'm watching a Van Halen video. Do you think is was done in one take? Do you think Van Halen cares?

Call me a cheater if you want but at least "MY" videos look good.

[JehuJava]

Yeah!!

[JimmyM]

You know, there is something to be said for a good continuous performance where you might have a clam or two but a good overall feel. But nobody really knows or cares if you do any editing unless you do it badly. I edit stuff together all the time. Anyone thinks that screws with my integrity is an idiot. The vast majority of people who go on and on about integrity this and that are clueless posers. Save your integrity for the way you treat people in your life and your business dealings. That's where it's needed. This notion about integrity in music? Pfffft. Doesn't exist.

[EddieBass]

I always skip videos with bad quality.
I don't think it's unethical at all recording a line three, four times...
99% of my CDs at home were recorded this way.

[grisezd]

I think it has to do with honesty. If you intend for it to be listened to as music edit away and consider the visual presentation separately from the music. If you intend to demonstrate mad playa skillz, or that you can backflip off your roof, or eat 1000 sardines, (ie. if it's just to impress dudes who are impressed by that sort of thing) then do it raw and in one take.
If it's for actual education purposes, or you think that some kid might be struggling to learn from you in any case, I think you ought to nail it in one take, or at least nail passages and edit them together.

[marijn van gils]

A (youtube) video is a different medium than a life performance, so I wouldn't know why it should be treated the same? If it makes for a better video: edit away!

Writing down in the description that it was all recorded in one take without any edits when this is not true would be dishonest, but editing itself: no.

There is a responsability with the viewer too: viewers should also treat the medium of (youtube) video for what it is, and not immediately believe anything they see or hear, just like with television.

[son_of_mogh]

I don't think it's unethical unless you proudly proclaim it was all in one take, that would qualify as a lie. Having said that, I love one-takes including the mistakes. I love hearing and seeing human beings being human.

[KrisWarrington]

The human ear actually prefers imperfection. When I record a video I do one take regardless of how well or bad I may play the track. Everyone makes mistakes.