Recording Project

[OceanBoy]

Our band is going into the studio to record a CD. Our singer and a few of his friends are going to back it financially. The songs we are doing were all written by the singer without much input from the rest of the band (five piece). He came up with the lyrics and chord structure. Obviously, everyone that contributes financially to this project wants to make their money back at least.

Our hope is to have regional success so that we can start charging more for gigs. Maybe play some local festivals. That's the plan anyway. We already have distribution and marketing in place (allegedly).

I'm not contributing financially to the project.

My question: If I'm not paid for studio work, what percentage of the profit should I ask for? Assuming anyone that put money in makes their money back first.

I know we won't sell enough to break even probably.

I'm just in a very optimistic mood today lol.

I'm sure there are members here in similar circumstances. What percentage do you get?

[chulaivet1966]

Hmmm......I'll bump you.

I don't know of any standard 'percentage' in your case.
Especially, if you did not write/contribute to any of the songs.

Have you had any discussion of the compensation aspect with said financiers?

Seems to me...in my ignorance, that a 'percentage of the profit' would not be the norm for those doing the tracking in the studio.
I tend to think you'd be paid an amount for your tracking in the studio.
Or, maybe protocol is just divide evenly among members after they've made their financing expenses back.

I know I'm no real help but I'm sure others will chime in as I'm somewhat interested in how you work this out.
I hope to learn something from other responses.

Hopefully, I've understood you correctly.

Good luck on this quest.

[Martin R]

Good luck.

We recorded at home, payed the drummer and bass a couple of hundred each, and still haven't turned the corner. Profit is a long way down the road.

Will the investors let you see the books?

[OceanBoy]

Originally Posted by chulaivet1966

Hmmm......I'll bump you.

I don't know of any standard 'percentage' in your case.
Especially, if you did not write/contribute to any of the songs.

Have you had any discussion of the compensation aspect with said financiers?

Seems to me...in my ignorance, that a 'percentage of the profit' would not be the norm for those doing the tracking in the studio.
I tend to think you'd be paid an amount for your tracking in the studio.
Or, maybe protocol is just divide evenly among members after they've made their financing expenses back.

I know I'm no real help but I'm sure others will chime in as I'm somewhat interested in how you work this out.
I hope to learn something from other responses.

Hopefully, I've understood you correctly.

Good luck on this quest.

Hey, thanks for your input. I guess I am wondering what percentage is fair in lieu of being compensated for studio time. It really is more a labor of love to me.

Supposedly the person who is recording us has contacts internationally and has agreed to promote our CD once it is finished. I know he would say that anyway, but if this thing ever did take off, I would like to jump on the financial bandwagon lol. I would just like opinions on what would be fair. Considering five band members and two more investors - maybe 5 percent? Is that asking a lot?

[OceanBoy]

Originally Posted by Martin R

Good luck.

We recorded at home, payed the drummer and bass a couple of hundred each, and still haven't turned the corner. Profit is a long way down the road.

Will the investors let you see the books?

We recorded at home too, but we've been advised that it's just not good enough for release. There are a lot of issues with the mixes. We are sending the raw tracks to the studio guy to see if he can use anything at all. If he can use any of the raw tracks, it might bring down the cost of the package deal.

I think the project might get us better paying gigs if people like it. That's about all I expect. Having a look at the books is good advice. Thanks.

[chulaivet1966]

Originally Posted by OceanBoy

Hey, thanks for your input. I guess I am wondering what percentage is fair in lieu of being compensated for studio time. It really is more a labor of love to me.

Supposedly the person who is recording us has contacts internationally and has agreed to promote our CD once it is finished. I know he would say that anyway, but if this thing ever did take off, I would like to jump on the financial bandwagon lol. I would just like opinions on what would be fair. Considering five band members and two more investors - maybe 5 percent? Is that asking a lot?

IMO....seems to me 'studio time' would be paid by a flat fee for the day or maybe a fee on a per song/track you've completed.
I believe that not being a part of the song writing limits you to being paid flat fees vs. percentage of profits.
The percentage of profit would come later should the band endure in the live playing arena.

Well...I don't mean to sound negative on the "has contacts internationally and has agreed to promote our CD once it is finished" but my philosophy on that would be to believe half of what you see and none of what you hear.
It's merely hype until proven otherwise which is not to diminish any good intentions by anyone.
That philosophy is based on some experience.

Yes...a 'labor of love' is a typical attitude (which I share to a point) but if we are proficient, professional musicians it's cool to get some bucks for all of our years of practice investment.
The old adage of 'we play for free and get paid to haul equipment around'.

Your situation sounds a bit complicated given "five band members and two more investors".
It seems the final decision on any compensation would be determined by the financiers and the song writers and you would be relegated to what they think is appropriate which you may or may not agree with.

My mornin' coffee just gave another bump.

Carry on...

[muudcat]

$50 a song. If the album is successful in some form you won't see dime one as the royalties go to the writers and or split with publishers. That is so far down the road i wouldn't worry about it. The financiers probably have something set up for pay back but hey, unless these are really good tunes AND promoted in the right way every one will loose their shirts. Except you, cause you got what, 10 songs X $50. The creative side of the biz can be brutal

[chulaivet1966]

Originally Posted by muudcat

$50 a song. If the album is successful in some form you won't see dime one as the royalties go to the writers and or split with publishers. That is so far down the road i wouldn't worry about it. The financiers probably have something set up for pay back but hey, unless these are really good tunes AND promoted in the right way every one will loose their shirts. Except you, cause you got what, 10 songs X $50. The creative side of the biz can be brutal

That sounds about right to me even though I've been out of it for a while.
If you don't write the songs it's flat fee city for the studio tracking from my older perspective.

"The creative side of the biz can be brutal" is an understatement to be sure.

[fezz parka]

First off, if you are a "band", get a Band Contract going. This'll spell out exactly what is expected of each member.
If it's just a solo project for the LS, a fee is in order. I like the 50 bucks a song listed above. If you take a piece of the record, that'll be somewhere between 4 and 8 cents a copy. That is, after the record has recouped. Chances the record will recoup?Minimal.

Ask for 50 bucks a song. That's the "bro" rate.

[paul74]

In the UK copyright is split into three parts, writing, performance and recording, not sure how it works elsewhere. As a non writing performer you could reasonably expect to receive a small percentage for your contribution. This might be 2-4% of the wholesale price per band member. If you are all working to promote the cd then it makes sense if you all have potential to make some money. It depends a lot on whether you are a band or a singer with backing musicians. One thought - Coldplay and U2 both share all royalties equally. They still have their original lineups.

[klasaine]

Originally Posted by fezz parka

First off, if you are a "band", get a Band Contract going. This'll spell out exactly what is expected of each member.
If it's just a solo project for the LS, a fee is in order. I like the 50 bucks a song listed above. If you take a piece of the record, that'll be somewhere between 4 and 8 cents a copy. That is, after the record has recouped. Chances the record will recoup?Minimal.

Ask for 50 bucks a song. That's the "bro" rate.

+1 (and to muudcat too).

But you mentioned in the OP "our band" and "our singer", so even though you may not have a lot of input into material this is a band that you are 'IN' - correct?

If this is the case you can't expect ANYTHING until ALL investors and ALL costs are recouped. At that point - possibly an even split.

*If you are a hired player that needs to be addressed in the first phone call and before the first rehearsal or session.

[Old Cane]

OB, sounds like you're looking to the big time. That's fine, good luck to you. I'd be more interested in what I get when we sell one where we're playing. I pay for mine, sell for $10-15 and give everyone playing/working $1 each. If I sell 20 then the drummer/others make an extra 20 that night. That way I don't worry if I sold it, the bass player sold it, the harp players wife, etc. 20 sold, 20 bucks.