Need expert advice on this one

[BradleyHagen]

Hey Folks!
OK, I need for the esteemed "old timers" to chime in here, and thank you in advance!

So, I submitted an Instrumental blues track 4 months ago on here that was forwarded, but have never heard back from the library about having it signed. I own 100% of the master and copyright, and it is registered with BMI (not sure if that matters or not) I now want to use that same track as the basis for a complete song with vocals for a new brief that just came over from TAXI.

1.) Would the new track with vocals, extra verse, extra chorus, etc be considered as a completely different track??
2.) If not, what happens if the original Instrumental track gets signed? (fat chance of that after 4 months, but ya never know) Would the "re-purposed" vocal version track not be available to be signed?
3.) If there would indeed be a conflict, how much would I have to change around the newly recorded version with vocals?? Would a change of key, and a different tempo suffice? (On top of adding parts, etc....)

[eeoo]

If these are non-exclusive deals then obviously it wouldn't matter. If there's exclusivity involved I'd probably only sign one of them.

[BradleyHagen]

If these are non-exclusive deals then obviously it wouldn't matter. If there's exclusivity involved I'd probably only sign one of them.

As of right now neither are anything, but here was the original listing for the instrumental version that was forwarded yet never signed:
Lots of BLUES ROCK INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a prolific Music Library with international distribution that's landing thousands of cool placements in TV shows around the globe.

This Library is searching for Mid-to-Up-Tempo Instrumental Cues that could be found on a playlist with these references:

"You Sure Drive A Hard Bargain" by Joe Bonamassa

"No Lovin" by The Black Keys

"Oh! That Bitches Brew" by Philip Sayce

Although the references have vocals, please submit Instrumental Cues only for this pitch.

Quoting the Library: "Strong guitar work is a big plus."

Please submit top-notch original Blues Rock Instrumental Cues brimming with raw energy all the way through! Your submissions should have memorable melodies, rockin' rhythms, catchy choruses, and excellent musicianship. Instrumentation that blends Blues with Rock elements and is in the general stylistic ballpark of the references will work best for this pitch. Live instrumentation is recommended, but if you choose to use any virtual instruments or samples, be sure that they're high-quality.

All submissions should clock in around 2 minutes, give or take. Non-Faded, Button/Stinger endings will work best for this request. Do NOT submit any material with unauthorized samples of any other artists’ music, sounds, or any other form of media. Broadcast Quality is needed.

REALLY IMPORTANT: Do NOT submit anything with third-party loops, even if they are royalty-free.

IMPORTANT: This Client will need your Instrumental Cues' stems (the individual tracks for each instrument/sample), but not yet! All you need to submit for now are the Full Instrumental Cues, but please have the stems on-hand and ready to send at a moment’s notice if you get a call or email from the Company.

TAXI Tip: This Company is interested in working with artists, writers, and composers with previous experience with production music libraries, who will be in it for the long haul, and are willing to do multiple Songs with them (like a 4-6 Song EP or full Album). That said, we recommend submitting (at least) 2-3 Instrumental Cues per submission so they can get a good feel for your material.

This company offers an EXCLUSIVE deal (in perpetuity), so please be sure the Instrumental Cues you pitch for this request are NOT already signed with any other Companies or Catalogs. Sync fees will be split 50/50 with the Company. You'll get 100% of the Writer's share, and the Publisher will get 100% of the Publisher's share. You must own or control your Master and Copyright to submit. Please submit as many Instrumental Cues as you'd like, online or per CD. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI. Submissions must be received no later than 11:59 PM (PST) on Thursday, January 11th, 2024. TAXI # S240111BR

TAXI # S240111BR


Thanks for the reply!

[Casey H]

You can't sign both to exclusive deals. They are considered parts of the same copyrighted work. As Ethan (eeoo) said, with non-exclusive, anything goes.

Good luck!
Casey

[BradleyHagen]

You can't sign both to exclusive deals. They are considered parts of the same copyrighted work. As Ethan (eeoo) said, with non-exclusive, anything goes.

Good luck!
Casey

thanks Casey!

So how would you handle this?? Whichever one gets signed first??

[Casey H]

So how would you handle this?? Whichever one gets signed first??

Yes.

[BradleyHagen]

OK Thanks man - I appreciate you as always

[VanderBoegh]

Yep, you can only sign this piece to one exclusive deal - whether it's this instrumental cue or a longer vocal version of the same thing. The reason is this:

Signing a vocal song to an exclusive library will also entail giving that library many versions & cutdowns of the song. That typically might include things like:

1) instrumental version
2) "no-lead" or "lite" or "minus mix" (or whatever they'll call it) version of the instrumental (basically, a stripped-down version of the instrumental)
3) a 60 second edit of the vocal & instrumental versions
4) a 30 second edit of the vocal & instrumental versions
5) a 10-15 second edit of the vocal & instrumental versions
6) a 5-8 second edit of the vocal & instrumental versions

As you might have guessed by now, any one of those alternate mixes / cutdowns listed above might seriously resemble the original cue you'd created. And if a library catches wind of you signing something that sounds a lot like one of their alternate mixes to another exclusive deal, then you've breached your contract and then it's adios to you.

My advice would be to take the similar vibe of your original cue, but change the guitar lick / timing / whatever. Then change the BPM a few beats either direction. Then even change the key. The result will be a completely new song, but you're not going to be straying too far from whatever lyric & melodic ideas you've come up with for the vocal version, so you can use your cue as the inspiration track but the final product will be something that is completely different. Hope that makes sense!

~~Matt

[BradleyHagen]

Yep, you can only sign this piece to one exclusive deal - whether it's this instrumental cue or a longer vocal version of the same thing. The reason is this:

Signing a vocal song to an exclusive library will also entail giving that library many versions & cutdowns of the song. That typically might include things like:

1) instrumental version
2) "no-lead" or "lite" or "minus mix" (or whatever they'll call it) version of the instrumental (basically, a stripped-down version of the instrumental)
3) a 60 second edit of the vocal & instrumental versions
4) a 30 second edit of the vocal & instrumental versions
5) a 10-15 second edit of the vocal & instrumental versions
6) a 5-8 second edit of the vocal & instrumental versions

As you might have guessed by now, any one of those alternate mixes / cutdowns listed above might seriously resemble the original cue you'd created. And if a library catches wind of you signing something that sounds a lot like one of their alternate mixes to another exclusive deal, then you've breached your contract and then it's adios to you.

My advice would be to take the similar vibe of your original cue, but change the guitar lick / timing / whatever. Then change the BPM a few beats either direction. Then even change the key. The result will be a completely new song, but you're not going to be straying too far from whatever lyric & melodic ideas you've come up with for the vocal version, so you can use your cue as the inspiration track but the final product will be something that is completely different. Hope that makes sense!

~~Matt

OK Copy that
This is great information Matt, I appreciate you man!!