Production Contracts

[gotsong]

Hey Guys,I was wondering if any of you knew what a typical length for a production contract between a producer and a record label should be?Thanks in advance!~jd

[mazz]

The glib answer would be: depends on how many lawyers wrote the contract. I don't think there's a standard length but there's plenty of books with "standard" contracts and explanations of those contracts in them. Passman's book is very good as is "Music, Money and Success" by the Brabec brothers. It pays to study up on these things even if you're going to hire a lawyer for your contract. Just asking a question like the one you did makes me think you don't know much about the business and if you've got a contract pending, you better hire an attorney right away to look at it. For your own protection. Knowledge is power.Mazz

[gotsong]

Thanks Mazz. I am in a situation where I need to give a client an idea of my terms. I know what the various options are but I have not read anything that mentions the typical contract length. There is not a contract at this point but I highly anticipate it; especially if I do not quote an outrageous contract duration.~jd

[mazz]

So you meant length of time? If so, that went right over my head. I was actually thinking by length you meant number of pages!!! DOH!! Sorry about that! The word duration in your reply cleared things up!I think that if you want to get points on sales you can start to taper off your percentage over time and eventually fade out of the picture but I don't know what that "duration " would be. That's probably pretty negotiable. Some clients might consider paying more up front so they don't have to remember to cut you a check a few times a year for a few years. I'd still try to read up on this. Maybe Google will reveal some info. Also, interviews with producers might be enlightening.Good luck,Mazz

[gotsong]

OK. I know I definitely want in on a royalty percentage. It may be mentioned in the Music, Money, Success book you mentioned. I'll probably bite the bullet and buy it instead of cruising through it in the book store. I have an older version of This Business of Music from college but so far no mention of contract duration. I may go ahead and poke a local music biz attorney here in Nashville to get the ball rolling. We'll see. Thanks for the good info.All the Best!~jd

[jude3]

Quote:Hey Guys,I was wondering if any of you knew what a typical length for a production contract between a producer and a record label should be?Thanks in advance!~jd1 to 5 years.But it depends on what kind of production deal.If you are signing that you produced a band or artist it might be longer. If you are signing to produce in house, which is not done much anymore, then it is probably less because they want the option to drop you if you don't produce well.Did you produce someone they are interested in? I hope you wrote allot of the material.

[jude3]

One more thing. If you produced someone that a label is interested in. And if it is a big label then I would consider going DYI.You will probably make more money. More work but more money.Can we hear some of the material?