Process for recording protected WMA files?

[qualitywriter]

Can anyone recommend a simple step-by-step process for recording WMA files for download that are reasonably copy-protected?

Is there a good recorder for this? I haven't fully checked out HotRecorder yet.

I have Freecorder, but I'm not sure if this will generate a WMA.

Thanks ahead - Phil

[PhilnCedarPark]

There IS no reasonable way to copy-protect WMA files. Just google "copy-protected wma" to get a list of hundreds of ways to crack or convert copy-protected WMA files. Quicktime is a little more secure but not much. Since all WMA/MP3 players allow you to make CDs, if all else fails you can burn to cd, then rip the CD, and have all the copies you want. Thats why the recording industry has stooped to sueing the bejesus out of people to stop copying, because no decent technical solution is available. Thats why there are thousands of podcasts available for free. If you want to sell an audio program, you are better just making it an MP3 (find a college student near by with a Mac - its all built in) and count on the quality and value of the product preventing people from re-distributing it. A few people have started to use the "guilt approach" in the early part and the end part of the audio by saying something like "If you didn't pay for this audio, I do hope you found our efforts valuable. Stop by www.myreallygreatadioprogram.com, and click on the 'register a copy' button. You can pay through Paypal or credit card, and help us bring you more great audio products. Thanks"

[qualitywriter]

Napster. I use this for music, and I notice that the WMA files I download from them are a pain to deal with. That's the kind of pain I'm looking for. I don't need bullet-proof protection, just something that makes it a little tougher for people to copy the files and pass them around.

This is for a paid subscription product. I can make MP3's.

Perhaps this discussion is better driven by the following questions:

* Is it a waste of time to try and copy protect content (even with easily crackable methods)? According to PhilInCedarPark - Yes.

* Is there "viral" value in selling unprotected content? (e.g. Is the word-of-mouth exposure generated by freely shared information worth the rip-off somewhere down the line?)

[qualitywriter]

I found some ways to do this with MP3s.

This site allows you to conference VOIP calls and record them for free: http://www.thebasementventures.com/

You can also use FreeCorder.com and Skype. The freecorder demo is free but it costs $19.95 for the full version - deceptive product naming.

Here's a free sound editor: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

If you want to add music for intro/outro/transitions, you can find this type of stuff at: http://stockmusic.net/
It's $29.95 for 1-3 minute tracks. A little steep, but it adds a nice touch.

If anyone else has other suggestions, please share.

[qualitywriter]

Of course, you'd want your VA to manage all this business. Perhaps you already have one with sound editing expertise? If so, I'd love to make a connection.