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Help: Frequently asked questions.

If you can't find an answer to your question here, please let me know and I'll be happy to help you further.

FAQ categories:

Ordering from the website

Help with your existing order

The license agreement

Downloading and playing beats on your computer

Other questions

Ordering from the website

How do I buy a license and download beats?

Full details on how to license and download a beat can be found on the individual beat information pages. Just click the "Tell me more about this beat" link found next to every beat listing. Alternatively, see the the details on the right of this page.

Once I lease a beat, will it be removed from website/can others use the same beat as me?

As an artist, you're given the full right to use the beat for whatever you wish, but you don't own it outright. Other artists can be given the same rights as you for the same beat, and it remains on the site for others to lease.

I (and other producers) completely understand why artists want beats all to themselves. Unfortunately, we can't supply exclusive beats at such low prices.

The lease system exists so that artists can get get the beats they need, and producers have the time and finances they need to keep producing.

There is a ton of good news for you though! With a lease from the site, you can use the beat(s) for whatever you wish, including making an album to sell on CD, iTunes etc. There are no limits on the amount if tracks you can sell, and no time limits on use. The only thing you can't do, is re-sell the beat as an instrumental.

Also, I don't lease each beat to thousands of artists, typically around 50! If you want a more exact amount on the number of people who have leased a beat you're interested in, please let me know and I'll be happy to help.

That said, if you do require exclusive rights to a beat, check out the special exclusive beats section of the site.

What files will I receive? What do the beats come as?

MP3: You'll receive a high quality MP3 file (192 Khz) of every beat. The MP3 is tag free and can be imported into your audio program to record vocals over, or burned to a CD.

WAV: Most beats also come as a WAV file. Those which do are clearly marked. The WAV file is tag free and is uncompressed. By recording your vocals to a WAV file, you'll get much better results than recording to an MP3. Beware - other producers won't offer you this facility.

If you order an exclusive beat, then you'll also get the complete tracked out audio files!

For subscription plans, beats are supplied as MP3 (192 Khz) files.

Can I have Exclusive Rights to a beat?

If the beat is part of the exclusive beats collection, then yes!

If a beat is marked as a commercial lease, then I cannot supply exclusive rights for it. If I were to supply one artist with a lease for a given beat, and then supply exclusive rights to another artist for that same beat - it would be very unethical of me. Beware of other sites/producers who habitually re-sell previously leased beats as exclusives!

Can I get the multi-tracks (tracked out files) to a beat?

If the beat is part of the exclusive beats collection, then yes!

However I'm really sorry, but I'm unable to supply these to customers who are leasing beats. I'm prevented from doing so by the licensing terms for the sound libraries that I use to produce music. In effect, I'd be re-selling these libraries, and this would be against the law. You should be aware of other producers and companies who supply multi-tracks with leased beats: They are giving you musical material they're not allowed to, and this will hurt you later on if your record gets released!

Can I send a money order?

I'm really sorry, but I'm unable to accept money orders. If you have a U.S bank account, you can register for a PayPal account, or pay with a Digital Check.

How do I pay for a beat license and download?

You can pay for your license and download using all major debit and credit cards, digital checks, PayPal and FX source. All payments are handled by 2Checkout - the authorized retailer for smoothbeatsonly.com.

Will I get my beats instantly after ordering?

Yes! If you order using a credit/debit card or PayPal, you'll receive a download link for your chosen beat(s) immediately after ordering (subject to an initial fraud check.) If you pay via Digital Check or FX Source, you'll be sent a download link after your payment fund has cleared. This is to combat fraud. Please allow 7-10 days for this to happen.

There are different rules for exclusive beats - see the exclusive beats section for details.

 

Help with your existing order

I've lost my download link / my computer's hard drive has crashed.

Your order details are stored in a secure, online database. You can retrieve your download links at any time by going to the my orders page on the website. If all else fails, contact me and I'll do my best to help.

I didn't get my download links.

Download links are made available as part of the order process. If for some reason you didn't get your links, you can retrieve them from the website. See above.

I can't download my beats.

See here.

Can I return beats?

If there is a problem with the MP3 or WAV file and together we can't resolve it, then yes, I will refund you the cost of your license. I'm afraid I can't offer refunds if you decide the beat no longer fits your artistic needs. Each beat has a full length preview you can use before commiting to a license.

How do I get a refund?

To apply for a refund, contact me with your name, e-mail and 2Checkout reference number if possible.

 

The license agreement.

What agreement are the beats covered by?

Leased beats on the website are covered by a non-exclusive commercial license. Once you've ordered a beat, you'll be asked to agree to the license before downloading any files, much like you would before installing software on a computer. The agreement is available for viewing from the beat information pages, and can be also viewed and downloaded here.

Exclusive beats are covered by a separate agreement. See the exclusive beats page for details.

Do I get a written, and signed agreement?

See above.

I don't like the standard agreement. Can I or my record company draft a separate agreement?

Yes you can. If your needs outweigh the standard license, I am happy to talk about signing a further agreement as proposed by you or your record company.

 

Downloading and playing beats on your computer.

How do I download the beats?

Once you've completed the payment process, download links for your licensed beats will be made available to you. You can also retrieve your download links at any time via the my orders page on the website.

I can't download the beats/the beats are playing in my browser window.

Detailed instructions for downloading the beats can be found on the relevant download pages you'll see after ordering - please read them carefully! As a rough guide, you'll need to RIGHT-CLICK the download link and select "Save Target As.." or "Download Linked File.." depending on your computer, browser and operating system. This will bring up a standard file save dialogue box which you can use to store and download your beat.

If you continue to have problems, you can let me know using the contact page. Please provide as much detail as possible about your computer, browser, and describe the problems you're having. If you send me an e-mail that simply states "It doesn't work" - I'll have difficulty helping you!

Only a small part of the beat is downloaded/the beat skips.

If you have problems transferring the beat to your computer, it may be due to a temporary server glitch. In this case, simply try downloading the beat again. The chances are it will work the second time. If you continue to have problems, please contact me and I'll be happy to assist you.

The beat won't play in my audio program.

The reasons for this are many and varied, and depend on your computer and the software you're running. I recommend using Apple iTunes to play audio files. It's freely available from the Apple site for Windows and Mac. If you continue to have difficulties, you can contact me for further help. Please provide as much detail as possible about your computer, browser, and describe the problems you're having. If you send me an e-mail that simply states "It doesn't work" - I'll have difficulty helping you!

Windows Media Player needs a "codec" to play the WAV file.

This is a known problem. The WAV files from the website are supplied in 24bit format for the best quality. Windows Media Player cannot play files in 24bit format. The WAV files will work in your recording program - or Apple iTunes which is freely available from the Apple site.

 

Other Questions

Can I add my own beats to the site?

The smoothbeats website is not open to music submissions from other producers - sorry about that. If you want to upload your own beats to the internet for sale, you could try sites like SoundClick.com, MyBeatShop.com and GiveMeBeats.com.

Can you promote my music/do you sign any artists?

Sorry, but I work as a beat supplier only. I cannot sign or promote individual artists.