UPDATED! 2021

In the past, I’ve always answered this question with a straight forward “absolutely, feel free to use whatever you’d like!”, however, due to recent internet events beyond my control, I must now add a disclaimer to this answer.

You always have my permission to use GaMetal songs in any way that you’d like (with the exception of any content that may be deemed offensive), however, there is a possibility that the original rights-holders of the songs (typically either the original composer or company that legally owns the song) could take issue.

On Youtube, this could lead to a video being partially or completely demonetized when a particular song (even a cover or remix of said song) is detected. This is not my doing, but the owners of the original song in question. Therefore, there is unfortunately nothing I can do to help in this situation.

The good news is while this can happen, it’s not common, and these typically do no lead to copyright strikes (and I’ve received no word of such from any Youtubers using GaMetal songs), only shared monetization (usually) or demonetization (rarely) of said video.

On Twitch, I strongly advise extreme caution with using any covers or remixes as that platform has been going through a mess of music legality issues lately. While I haven’t received any word of strikes or bans from any Twitch streamers that do play GaMetal songs during their streams in whatever way, I still must urge you to be very careful with using music on Twitch that hasn’t been approved by the original composers.

Thank you for understanding! 🙂

There are a few different reasons why a song might not appear on one of the GaMetal album releases on these services, but I’ll break it down as simply and quickly as I can: Since it’s required that you purchase the songs released on these platforms (or the subscription for streaming services like Spotify), mechanical licenses have to be obtained for each composition so that the original composers get their share of the royalties. It costs money to get these licenses via a distributor, such as Soundrop.

One of the requirements to obtain a mechanical license (and the one that causes issues the most often) is that the song/composition must have been officially released in the US (since that’s where I am located) for purchase, be it on an album, iTunes release, streaming service (Spotify), etc. If not, then mechanical licenses can not be obtained for those songs, therefore they can’t be properly distributed to these services.

When I say each composition, I literally mean each composition, so that poses a big issue for medleys. Because they contain multiple compositions, we have to pay for the licenses of each song featured, plus each composition earns some of the profit. However, this is a set number, and it can be exceeded, meaning if we were to submit say… an NES Medley, we’d actually end up owing/losing money each time it were to be purchased. Which, as you could imagine, would not bode well in the long run! UPDATE 2022: Medleys have now been thrown into further peril by requiring explicit permission to combine multiple songs from the original composers. 

Beginning in 2018, I’ve been trying to get as many GaMetal remixes licensed and distributed to these platforms as I can for you all. For your convenience, I’ve compiled a list of songs that I have submitted but was unable to obtain licenses for here.

Always remember that the songs that don’t show up on these platforms are still available for free here on the site and also on the BandCamp releases!

Bonus FAQ: [Cover song] by [artist] got it up, so why can’t you?

Some distributors will push through a license regardless, or it was submitted as an original song (not a cover), but this is incredibly risky because it’s…. well, illegal. 🥴

PS: You can help not only me, but VGM remixers across the planet by giving polite feedback to the composers and/or companies that own the original songs that you’d like to have official releases of their game soundtracks, be it on streaming services, digitally or physically, so that we can both enjoy the originals and obtain mechanical licenses for covers/fan arrangements of these songs in the future!

I’ve set up a Kit.co page for this very purpose, you can see pretty much everything I use for recording over there, from my guitars, drums, recording equipment, and even some of the stuff on my bookshelf.

The GaMetal Bard (or Mage as we previously called him) is the official mascot of GaMetal, and he’s actually just a recolor of the Red Mage sprite from Final Fantasy I (not a Terraria character!).
It’s also a bit symbolic to me: in Final Fantasy I, the Red Mage was able to use both Black and White magic, and was able to use most types of equipment, with the main drawback being that he couldn’t use the top tier stuff. He was a jack-of-all-trades. Much in the same way, I play the guitar/bass/drums/keys in my songs… but, like the Red Mage, I’m not exactly the best at all of them!

I wish I could do them all, I really do! The best chance of getting a song request done by me would be the Patreon Request List (a Tier 3+ reward), since 1-2 (sometimes 3!) songs are guaranteed to come from that list each month. I know that’s not an option for everybody, so the other way is to comment on videos with the song you want to hear most. I regularly scour over the comments for song ideas, so I promise you they’re not in vain!

Unfortunately, this is something I just can’t do at the moment. I have a rather large workload right now, and my main obligation is to the Patreon request list and highly requested songs.

I do this on a case-by-case basis, based on the project itself and how much time I have available. Please email me with details at Jonny@JonnyAtma.com.

There are really a few different factors! My song selections are based on the requests I see from Youtube comments, the Patreon Request List, and sometimes just my own personal bias. The Patreon song drawings are random, and are usually only 1-3 songs per month. I also have the request list set up to where people submit to me a small list of 3 songs they’d like to hear, rather than just 1 song, so I can choose a particular song from their list to enter into the next drawing(s), if I feel like it’s something I’ve seen requested a lot. The non-request list songs, which again can be 1-3 per month, are mostly influenced by the requests I see on Youtube comments. In general, I try to please as many people as I can while keeping the song selection broad, so it’s a combination of Youtube and Patreon requests. 🙂

I think it’d be fun to do some TV theme songs sometime in the future, but it’s just something I don’t have much time for at the moment. It’s not off the table though! As far as original songs go, again it comes down to having the time. I do work on some original stuff on the side for fun occasionally, but GaMetal is my main focus for the time being.

I’d love to do that in the future, but that would take a TON of time and commitment that I definitely don’t have right now, haha. It’d be awesome though, and could definitely happen someday!

Several ways! The easiest being to just help spread the word. The absolute best way you can help support GaMetal at the moment is by becoming a Patron over on the GaMetal Patreon, where you can donate an amount per new song in exchange for some rewards (you can also set a max limit on how much you donate per month). You can get more info on that whole deal on the Patreon page.

Aside from the Patreon, you can also send a PayPal donation if you’d like, or download some songs from the GaMetal BandCamp and submit a donation that way. Perhaps even purchase a GaMetal Shirt.

But I understand that not everyone can support monetarily, and that’s totally ok! Like I said, the easiest way you can help is totally free: just help spread the word of GaMetal, subscribing/liking/all that stuff. Every single one of you helps in any way!