Typical rate for session work per track

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MarkDoyle
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Typical rate for session work per track

Post by MarkDoyle » Tue Jul 16, 2019 7:21 pm

What is the typical rate people get for providing guitar or keys to track?


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tresero
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Re: Typical rate for session work per track

Post by tresero » Tue Jul 16, 2019 7:44 pm

MarkDoyle wrote:
Tue Jul 16, 2019 7:21 pm
What is the typical rate people get for providing guitar or keys to track?


Mark Doyle
As always, it depends. I will charge between $50 and $100 for a track in most cases. If I have to arrange it or make a chord chart (amazing how many people have no idea), then more. If they want more (composition, hooks etc.) then more.

If I really like the tune and think it has potential, I may do it free for a percentage of the writers share (that is also negotiable).

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Re: Typical rate for session work per track

Post by MarkDoyle » Tue Jul 16, 2019 9:25 pm

thanks for your help. I was thinking in that ballpark range

Thanks again

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Re: Typical rate for session work per track

Post by mojobone » Sun Jul 21, 2019 10:21 am

There are some long and very informative forum threads on this topic, but search only turned up this one. It's a question we hear a lot, and the answer is, 'it depends'. Mostly it depends on your market, which used to mean your location, but since the internet, we're all local musicians. Given a decent broadband connection, an appropriate space, a few mics, some engineering chops and a recording interface that works with their phone or laptop, just about anybody can learn to track themselves and their instrument at a level acceptable for broadcast.

Needless to say, in such an environment, the bottom feeders are ascendant, and even the majors have cut back on session recording budgets. It's hard out here, fo' a pimp, these days. Guitarists in particular are a dime per dozen, and there are some that'll do 2-3 takes of a single part for as little as $15 a pop. OTOH, those folks are not the ones maintaining an entire stable of instruments, mics, effects and amplifiers, with the ability to cover nearly any style and genre with excellent communication skills and customer service and a friendly turnaround time. Those people earn a smidge more, cuz they're worth it. I can't say for certain, but I'd bet you can get Larry Carlton for about $1k/hr; Carl Verhayen, even cheaper. Actual rates for Hollywood hotshots are here: https://afm47.org/search.php Bear in mind, there's a three-hour minimum and cartage/transportation fees.

One of the cooler developments in this brave new landscape is that there are prefab websites where remote session collaborators and clients can find each other, with quotes and rates and work samples and whatnot.

https://soundbetter.com/

https://www.airgigs.com/

Caveat; if you choose to work with Union musicians, you must pay the master rate in order to exploit any product, and in every case, you must obtain a Work For Hire Agreement.

* EDIT I should amend that last bit, because you don't need a WFH, if the song will be re-recorded; it's just that in today's fast-paced environment, production schedules might not allow for re-recording. It's best if your track is free, clear and ready to license, and you alone are in charge of that decision.
Last edited by mojobone on Thu Aug 15, 2019 4:00 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Typical rate for session work per track

Post by lgstarr » Mon Jul 29, 2019 11:11 pm

mojobone wrote:
Sun Jul 21, 2019 10:21 am
https://afm47.org/search.php

Was my Union for so many years! Lots of memories. Sad to see them forced out of it's old Vine St. location recently.

One of the cooler developments in this brave new landscape is that there are prefab websites where remote session collaborators and clients can find each other, with quotes and rates and work samples and whatnot.

https://soundbetter.com/

https://www.airgigs.com/

Thanks! Very interesting...hadn't heard about them before.

Caveat; if you choose to work with Union musicians, you must pay the master rate in order to exploit any product, and in every case, you must obtain a Work For Hire Agreement.

--Linda

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