Singer's fees

mus · Post by **mus** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 9:25 am

Hi guys,What fees do I need to pay a singer for Taxi Film/TV opportunities?I know I need a signed waiver to use the performance etc. but does the singer automatically get performance royalties? Or do I have to agree with them a buyout fee or % of future royalties out of what I make?A singer I approached won't do a buyout but wants to charge demo rates and then get UK Equity fees if the song gets used. Is that OK with the Film/TV/Library guys?Any explanation appreciated.ThanksM

deantaylor · Post by **deantaylor** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 9:13 pm

What I do is one of 2 things:1. Find a singer to do the vocals for free, because they like the song, want to make a great record, have fun, etc .. then I have them sign a release stating that I own the Master and can exploit the Master, then I pay the singer a percentage of everything their recording makes .. from film-tv, etc .. if it ever makes anything.2. Hire a pro demo singer, pay them a one-time upfront fee, have them sign the same release, I keep all profits 100 percent for myself.This is just what I do. Others may do it differently.DeanThe singer does not get perf royalties from a PRO unless they are added as a co-writer or co-publisher. I don't do this. I just cut them an annual check myself for some percentage of the profits.Not sure what UK Equity fees are ...

mus · Post by **mus** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 12:06 pm

Thanks Dean.I guess it comes down to numbers too.Do you give a % of your royalties as well as the Master License? Is 5% fair?How much for a one-off fee? I've just been asked for $310 for the recording and $940 if the track ever gets used commercially.Any responses appreciated.M

matto · Post by **matto** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 1:27 pm

In general most libraries don't care about the exact agreement you have with the singer and/or players but they always want you to have full rights to the master recording so they can be a "one-stop" licensing source (so a written release is essential).Library music generally speaking does not pay re-use fees or residuals. It's a buyout as far as the library is concerned when it comes to the performers, but of course you can offer your performers part of your backend.The numbers you were quoted are completely unrealistic for production music IMHO, especially the backend. You often won't see that much money for the TOTAL license fee (sync and master) and why would you hand all of it over to the singer? You wrote the song so surely your entitled to keep part of the license fee to yourself.I pay a singer between $100-300 here in LA, and the higher end of that is considered quite good. That's usually for a complete buyout. If I were to offer them part of the backend, I would pay on the lower end of the upfront range, and they would usually get up to 20% of the master license fee only (or 10% of the total license fee if it's a single fee to cover both sync and master).I would not pay them any part of my performance royalties (i.e. ASCAP/BMI) since those are for the writer(s). Unless of course they were a co-writer, in which case they'd get a writer's share.My advice would be to find a singer with a more realistic asking price. One who is willing to work with you within your budget. That way, hopefully you'll be able to hire him/her again in the future and it will be a beneficial relationship for both of you.HTH,matto

deantaylor · Post by **deantaylor** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 1:29 pm

I usually have a co-writer, so I have to work with them first, as to what they are comfortable with. But the deal we usually arrive at is 10% of everything (perf. royalties and licencing fees). Although I think anywhere from 5%-10% might be 'fair', we just usually end up on the high number. Some people have told me they only do percentage of licensing fees .. but I figure if they take the risk to sing it for free upfront that should pay off for them in the end.But it is all a grey area, lots of things seem fair enough.I can rarely afford a pro-demo singer, but .... I have seen really good singers charge $300 or more, but I've gotten very good pro vocals in the $100 (lead), $50 (backing) range. Here is the last singer I used .. www.debthomas.com .. that's her price .. she gets nothing after that (though if she hit big for me, I'd probably send her a generous 'tip' check) .. she works over the internet with you .. has a very good home studio. I highly recommend her. Very professional.Dean

deantaylor · Post by **deantaylor** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 9:16 pm

I see Matto was replying at the same time as me. lol So, you have 2 different perspectives on paying the singer on the backend ... what percentage of what. This may also depend on how successful your music career is. Matto makes pretty good money from film-tv placements, so his singers can expect some backend payment. I have only just started in film-tv. I have 5 songs signed to libraries, but no placements, yet. So, my singers are taking a bigger 'risk' .. logically I should give them more 'reward' too.Dean

mus · Post by **mus** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:36 am

Thanks very much for the responses, guys. In the end I offered the high vocal fee plus 5% of anything I make. I haven't heard back.It was complicated by the fact that I was let down by another demo producer who was going to do a vocal by tomorrow and so this lot decided to take advantage of the deadline by upping their fees. I get the impression it's not like they had to cancel everyone else to do it, though.To be honest there will be other opportunities for the song so I'm not that bothered about the deadline. It just would have been nice to make it. BTW Equity is a UK performers union with set rates for sessions etc. They wouldn't give any guidance on buyout rates.M

deantaylor · Post by **deantaylor** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:07 am

mus,Glad to help. Sorry they kinda got you stuck in a hard place. Hope it all works our for the best. If they do a great vocal and the song makes lots of money .. they'll earn their money in the end.Dean

mus · Post by **mus** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 5:29 am

Hey, many thanks for your help guys.They accepted my offer and I got the track in time to submit to the listing deadline yesterday.You can listen to Get Better (Female version) at www.taxi.com/musI just finished remixing it because the response vocals in the Bridge were somewhat indistinct on the mix they supplied.I'd be interested to hear what you think

deantaylor · Post by **deantaylor** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 11:35 am

Murray,I like her vocal. Sounds a bit like a girl band in the 80's .. kinda Go-Go's or something like that. The song is catchy, I like the bridge best.Dean

Singer's fees

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