Producer Fees?

[tuite]

Hey guys!I`d like to get an idea of how a producer charges. Do they charge upfront or do they take a percent of the royalties or both? I`m talking about major label recordings here by the way. Just say a new band signed to a label and were looking for a producer for their first album. How would the producer charge and how much?Also, how would one go about getting in contact with labels and managers etc. to offer their services for producing the labels bands? I mean, I could eeasily send a demo package etc. but it seems a little desperate. How do labels build up their producer contacts, generally?Thanks guys!

[matto]

Both. The producer almost always gets "points" on a record, as well as an upfront fee.A major label that signs a new band will almost always use a well known, established producer to do that crucial first album, not some newcomer.A possible exception is if the producer was attached to the artist and the artist got signed at least in part based on the producer's work.The best way for a new producer to catch the attention of major labels is to go out and find kick ass artists and produce their demos/records, and then hope that those artists get signed or at least get serious consideration at major labels. That's how you can gradually get their attention.matto

[tuite]

Okay! You see, I`m really good at producing songs from their raw state! I own a recording studio and when bands come in, they think they`re songs are finished, then when I turn them inside out and change their tones, tempos, add instruments, chord voicings, harmonies, shorten the songs, take out few bars here and there etc. they realise how bad their songs were! I know a few bands and singer/songwriters that I just KNOW are gonna be big! One in particular is opening up for Pink at the moment and they are signed to a small indie label in Ireland! I liked their songs for a while and gave them suggestions for that "crucial first album". Anyway, it was a shambles, I would love to produce an album for them before a major label takes over! I was just wondering if I should charge at all or do it for free hoping to get royalties! What would a producer typically get on a number 1 album in Ireland?

[mazz]

Your shot at royalties would probably either be a percentage of the sales of the CD or a percentage of the songwriting (or both if you can negotiate it). If I were in your situation, I'd try to get a percentage of the songwriting as a co-writer. The songs may end up having more longevity than the CD because they might end up being used on TV, Film, Games, etc., then you can get your percentage of the writer's share from your PRO. Most CDs these days have a pretty short shelf life, unfortuantely but the songs can exist outside of that particular package.Just my 2 cents.Mazz

[stick]

Generally the money up front fee for a producer is "an advance", meaning, when the record starts to sell, that advance is paid back before you receive cash above that upfront advance. Sometimes that advance is to include the recording costs, sometimes not. Of course there are always exceptions. I'd say cover your costs but don't try to get nuts on the up front money, and then get a contract that states you're along for the ride when they get signed or the label pays you a nice buyout. The problem with this is that having you (an unknown producer) attached to the band makes them harder to sign, because a label may not want to have to buy you out or keep you on as the producer. Mazz is right, the big cash is the songwriting.

[liamkelly]

ColmCheck out Ken Nelson's (Coldplay producer) interview at Sound on Sound http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct00/a ... /ken.htmTo summarise: You're always waiting for a band to come in who's going to give you your big break, and Gomez were that band for me.I reckon you have to do whatever it takes to find that band - worry about the fees later.Liamwww.myspace.com/liamkellymusic

[tuite]

Thanks for posting that Liam! Some of it was really interesting! I like to follow the same kind of style, clean, dry sound, hot signal, straight to tape (or hard disk in my case).I would do it for free no problem if they paid for studio time or a house to rent or something and just get a small cut of royalties. I just have to convince them to let me now! Hehe!Thanks guys!

[justinatrecording]

A great resource for this kind of info is Passman's book All You Need To Know About the Music Business...http://www.amazon.com/Need-Know-About-M ... 246373It's very approachable and easy to read. Check it out! He talks about different ways demo deals can be structured. So if you cut a song (or a few), and the artist gets signed, you as the producer/engineer/studio/financeer can get recouped on the backend. It's not as big of potential $$$ as having a percentage of the songwriting or even points on the record, but it could at least ensure you get some bucks.Cheers,Justin