Demo Release

[bobbi]

Hi guys, I have some questions concerning demo release..I found a demo service on the internet that made some demos for my songs. And I paid a lot of money for them.I didn’t sign a contract with them. On their website is though written that they want to have some extra fee if the demo would be released. And it depends on the project how much that would be… Do you know how much a song writer should usually pay to the demo producer and to a demo singer for an eventual demo release.. Are there some rules ?Can somebody help me with that ?Bobbi

[Casey H]

Nov 29, 2008, 1:47am, bobbi wrote:Hi guys, I have some questions concerning demo release..I found a demo service on the internet that made some demos for my songs. And I paid a lot of money for them.I didn’t sign a contract with them. On their website is though written that they want to have some extra fee if the demo would be released. And it depends on the project how much that would be… Do you know how much a song writer should usually pay to the demo producer and to a demo singer for an eventual demo release.. Are there some rules ?Can somebody help me with that ?BobbiHi BobbiA few questions first... What genre are you writing? What are your main goals-- pitching to artists such as in Nashville? Getting songs placed in film/TV?It's usually good to pick a demo service based on referrals as opposed to an internet search. This forum is a great place to meet people who can offer some names. Some demo services, often based on where they are located, will give you a signed master release for the same fee as the demo. A master release means you can use the RECORDING, not just the song, any way you want and they have no claim-- required for film/TV or saleable release of the recording itself. Some studios, especially if union musicians are involved such as in Nashville, won't give you a release unless you pay enough extra to compensate the musicians with union scale. Musicians who take less than scale pay have to keep it hush-hush.The price difference can vary, but paying double or more is not unusual... So a $500 demo, could cost $1000 sometimes for master release (a guess). Some folks on this board have been through this and can give you some real numbers (PM preferred!) based on Nashville services they've used.Suggestions: Before you invest more money, get some feedback from credible folks as to the film/TV marketability of the recording. You can do some of that right here, through taxi ($20 custom critique) if you are a member, or through a number of reputable services such as John Brahney's and others.Also, before you invest in a demo, feedback as above on the SONG itself is highly recommended. If the song isn't strong enough or needs some tweaks, get that squared away first.If you are planning to pitch Nashville, the "bar" is VERY high... Don't forget, the SONG is the most important thing first. Yes, a good demo is very important, but no demo will get a less-than-stellar song through the gates.Hope that helps... Feel free to PM me if I can help more...Best Casey

[mojobone]

It's unclear to me whether you fully understand the term, "release", which can mean different things in different contexts. You don't need a signed release form from the demo players/singers merely to distribute your demo (i.e. for demonstration purposes). Only two situations require such a form, A: a library wishes to license the demo track or tracks as is (without re-recording) , or B: you decide to release the demo tracks to the general public as an album for which you intend to collect money. Situation A seems to be fairly common hereabouts; situation B, not so much.

[bobbi]

Thanks Casey and Mojobon I’m writing in pop, soul, and dance style.. I’m not a TAXI member yet.., but maybe I should consider it.. I intend to submit one or more of my songs to a music library that excepts unsolicited material for TV/movie licensing . That’s why I need these release forms signed by the producer of the demo(s) and the demo singers. I’ve been told that he would require some fee if I would use these demos and it depends on the project how much that it’s going to be…But that exactly is the point…You never know when you submit to a library how big the project eventually is going to be …I can’t imagine that this library would offer me a big deal, so the fee to my demo producer shouldn’t be that much…It’s a good idea getting a critique before spending money on a demo..I’ve been only a few days on this message board but I’m learning a lot every day…Thanks guys.Casey, I’m going to PM you o.k?Thanks

[Casey H]

Nov 30, 2008, 10:35am, bobbi wrote:Thanks Casey and Mojobon I’m writing in pop, soul, and dance style.. I’m not a TAXI member yet.., but maybe I should consider it.. I intend to submit one or more of my songs to a music library that excepts unsolicited material for TV/movie licensing . That’s why I need these release forms signed by the producer of the demo(s) and the demo singers. I’ve been told that he would require some fee if I would use these demos and it depends on the project how much that it’s going to be…But that exactly is the point…You never know when you submit to a library how big the project eventually is going to be …I can’t imagine that this library would offer me a big deal, so the fee to my demo producer shouldn’t be that much…It’s a good idea getting a critique before spending money on a demo..I’ve been only a few days on this message board but I’m learning a lot every day…Thanks guys.Casey, I’m going to PM you o.k?Thanksokeedokee

[matto]

Nov 30, 2008, 10:35am, bobbi wrote:Thanks Casey and Mojobon I’m writing in pop, soul, and dance style.. I’m not a TAXI member yet.., but maybe I should consider it.. I intend to submit one or more of my songs to a music library that excepts unsolicited material for TV/movie licensing . That’s why I need these release forms signed by the producer of the demo(s) and the demo singers. I’ve been told that he would require some fee if I would use these demos and it depends on the project how much that it’s going to be…But that exactly is the point…You never know when you submit to a library how big the project eventually is going to be …I can’t imagine that this library would offer me a big deal, so the fee to my demo producer shouldn’t be that much…It’s a good idea getting a critique before spending money on a demo..I’ve been only a few days on this message board but I’m learning a lot every day…Thanks guys.Casey, I’m going to PM you o.k?ThanksHey bobbi,I would contact the demo company and explain to them what you need the release for. That it's for a music library and that you hope the song may get licensed in the future, but are not sure for what.Based on that, negotiate either a flat fee with them, or, as an alternative, a percentage of future license fees.In the future, you're going to want to negotiate this type of thing upfront, and get those releases as part of the fee you pay somebody to do the demos. Ideally you'll find (a) demo service(s) who understand(s) film/tv licensing and offer(s) releases as part of their normal demo deal.HTH,matto

[anne]

Hi Bobbi - one of the other points that was bought up at the Rally several times was that its not unusual to agree to pay a percentage of only the synch fee collected to the demo company, and only if that fee exceeds a certain amount. The example we were given and where you can find the info are in a PM to you, from me.

[jay10music]

Hey Bobbi,I own and run one of the best Demo Studios in Nashville and I can give you some insight. If you want a release signed by the musicians and singers, send it to the demo company PRIOR to recording the song.If they use union players some studios might ask you to pay the difference between demo scale and master rate scale. Others wont.Bottom line is COMMUNICATE all of this with the studio PRIOR to recording.Jimi

[Casey H]

BTW, I had the pleasure of hearing some of Bobbi's music... Awesome stuff! Casey

[weapon]

I have to address this because I got into some heated debates with people at the Rally over this. This situation is where a manager can cover your butt. I never let anyone touch my artist's product without first signing a work for hire contract. I work with one of the top independent producer's on the east coast and he makes a point to never take any points on a record and never wants any extra fees depending on what's going to happen to the song he is producing. Get whoever you are working with to always always always sign a work for hire contract. If they do a good job you will come back to them and they keep making money. If they won't sign, move on to the next producer, there are a million and one of them, find the one that is right for you.