Protecting audio file

Usually when we produce a video for a client, we burn in a timecode window until the client pays the balance due on the video.

We're creating an audio PSA for a client, and need to send them the audio file for approval. How can we add something to the audio file so they can't use it wothout paying?

I thought about adding a sound effect or voice announcing our company name throughout the audio track, but this will intefere with their ability to hear and approve the edit. Any suggestions?

You might also layer on a very high or low frequency hum that would require a lot of filtering to take out.
Maybe you can just play them over the phone?

Finally, if you are that uncertain of the client's honesty, don't play anything until you get paid, period.

Not to be a killjoy about that technology, but if there is any way to play it back in full res, even just once, the hack around the copy protection is easy.

Play it, just use TotalRecorder (or another of several softwares) to record it "live," and you've ripped it.

Frankly we used to do this all the time with music companies to test out different tracks before we decided which to use (and buy)... even if the files weren't downloadable (which they often weren't), we'd just play them off their websites and record them at the same time. Sounded great.

Now we are painfully honest and never used a track without paying for it... but I always thought how easy it would be to do so for less trustworthy types.

So I don't think any kind of copy protection is nearly as secure as a watermark.

Or you can just work with clients that you trust not to screw you over.

T2

__________________________________
Todd Terry
Creative Director
Fantastic Plastic Entertainment, Inc.
fantasticplastic.com

Yeah, even "Audio Jungle" watermark isn't enough to stop some people.

We once sent a video to a client for approval containing a temporary track from Audio Jungle (to get the "OK" before purchasing the license and clean audio file). The client was so excited that they sent it to their web guy. Before we knew it they had it online... complete with the high-pitched "Audio Jungle" watermark!! I was horrified but the client didn't even notice! It was clearly a mistake and not malicious on their part. We quickly purchased the song, swapped it out, and kindly asked that they remove the "Preview" version and replace it with the "FINAL" version.

So... even watermarks might not stop someone, intentional or unintentional :) But at least the rest of us will notice!