There’s a lot of great music out there for exercising to, but it’s hard to incorporate it into an environment that does not condone foul language (like a spin class at a YMCA, which is what brought up the following question). Is there any audio software out there that is particularly handy for altering readily available music to make it more PG?
I am almost 100% certain that what you are proposing is a copyright violation, although I am not a lawyer. If I recall correctly, there was a case a few years ago when some “family-friendly” group tried to do this with videos, and they were shot down. Basically, if the artist wanted you to have a watered-down version of his or her music, he or she would record it for you thusly.
Having said that, the only way you can edit out unwanted phrases is to actually have a source with split tracks. Once the song is mixed down (as is pretty much the case with all commercial music), you will not be able to “bleep” the words without also removing or distorting the underlying music.
It may be possible to get a “radio version” of certain songs. I know for a fact that many of the rap songs on the Yahoo! LaunchCast music stuff were labeled “radio version” or “radio mix”, and were essentially the songs minus certain words. However, I am positive that those versions were released by the artist/record label.
Not trying to be a fear-monger here, but you may want to check with a someone who is more up on Intellectual Property or Copyright law. I am pretty sure that a commercial business such as a gym is not allowed to play a commercial CD for a class, as that starts to get into the whole “rebroadcast” scenario.
I ran into this a number of years ago when my company hooked up a CD player to a phone system at work. We received a cease-and-desist order from a music publishing company because we were using one of their CDs … even though the publishing company had given the CDs out for free!
There are several places on the web that offer royalty-free music that allow you to use an artist’s music in the manner you discuss. I suggest searching for “podcast safe music”.
Hope this helps.
BobArrgh