Create Digital Music » Radiohead, Max/MSP, a Lost Authorization, and Self-Pricing

Radiohead, Max/MSP, a Lost Authorization, and Self-Pricing

It seems even Radiohead sometimes lose their copy protection authorization for Max/MSP. That doesn’t stop our friends at Cycling ‘74 support from getting a bit cheeky. But careful what you say: it might wind up as the lead to a New York Times article:

SHORTLY after Radiohead released its album “In Rainbows” online in October, the band misplaced its password for Max/MSP, a geek-oriented music software package that the guitarist Jonny Greenwood uses constantly. It wasn’t the first time it had happened, Mr. Greenwood said over a cup of tea at the venerable Randolph Hotel here. As usual Radiohead contacted Max/MSP’s developers, Cycling ’74, for another password. “They wrote back,” Mr. Greenwood said, “‘Why don’t you pay us what you think it’s worth?’”

It’s a joke, folks, no need to write Cycling ‘74 suggesting you buy Jitter for $5; somehow, don’t think they’ll bite.

The article itself, though, offers a good overview of the issues surrounding Radiohead’s pay-what-you-will album and how it’s been received.

Via The Phoenix; thanks to ggg for the tip!

Related: artists, copy-protection, Cycling-74, Max/MSP, oddities, radiohead, Software & more.

11. By Peter.

2007-Dec-12@18:52.

All-Handmade Mister Resistor Music Ensemble, Live in NYC Sunday

Audiofile Engineering: Site and Application Updates from Mac Audio Developer

11 Comments

actuel

big smiles here! thx for sharing

December 12, 2007 @ 7:41 pm

_object.session

“geek-oriented”

i love new york times. :-)

December 12, 2007 @ 9:36 pm

deltasleep

I’m starting to be a little bit insulted by the way our culture is using “geek.” Like it’s a half-insult or a guilty pleasure to be intelligent or interested in something. Like we know it’s not cool, but we like it, how ironic.

December 13, 2007 @ 12:02 am

Stefan

So, not only did the copy protection glitch stop Jonny using the software he paid for, the company that decided to use it thought they’d have a little joke with them about it.

ha.

And people wonder why there’s so much software piracy.

December 13, 2007 @ 5:21 am

Peter Kirn

@Stefan: I expect the joke came along with the password. I’ve been known to chatter with support when asking for new authorizations. ;)

December 13, 2007 @ 6:49 am

Angstrom

there’s a series of 3 Guardian articles, where Radiohead answer fan questions. also illuminating

Here’s a quote:

Jonny: ‘Yeah, the download culture is there anyway. It’s King Canute - you can’t pretend the flood isn’t happening. This friend of mine bought the Muse album. And his 12-year-old son was just looking at it - “Wow, the real thing!” His son had the album already, he knew the songs, but he’d never held a CD. He just found it a curious object. That’s kind of how it is now.’

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/omm/story/0,,2221299,00.html

December 13, 2007 @ 1:04 pm

Spandex

“Hear Music, the independent label partly owned by Starbucks”

bless.

December 13, 2007 @ 5:08 pm

Peter Kirn

Yes, I’ve been wondering what independent means, exactly, especially as it’s been applied to “… owned by Universal Music Group” etc.

@Angstrom: sounds like an opportunity to me. People can rediscover CDs. It’ll be vintage, hip, underground, like, erm, vinyl.

December 15, 2007 @ 12:44 pm

Angstrom

Peter, you loveable dreamer.

The only rediscovery for CD will be as a post apocalyptic body adornment.

December 15, 2007 @ 10:14 pm

Peter Kirn

Sonic clothing? We’re there already:
http://createdigitalmusic.com/2005/05/17/sonic-clothing-roundup-projects-resources-diy/

December 15, 2007 @ 11:28 pm

Radiohead, Max/MSP, a Lost Authorization, and Self-Pricing

[...] Radiohead, Max/MSP, a Lost Authorization, and Self-Pricing It seems even Radiohead sometimes lose their copy protection authorization for Max/MSP. That doesn’t stop our friends at Cycling ‘74 support from getting a bit cheeky. But careful what you say: it might wind up as the lead to a New York … [...]