Working with lyricists/vocalists | production music

[ersatz]

My partner and I have an opportunity to work with a vocalist who would be writing lyrics to and performing on some of our music. We are only interested in submitting to libraries and have suggested an equal 3-way split should any of the tracks get signed.

The vocalist has proposed 50% music / 50% lyrics - but this does not address the costs associated with producing the master recording; i.e., although it doesn't cost us to go into a studio per se, my partner and I both have considerable money and time invested in our home studios and the setup and use thereof. Moreover, the tracks are being fully produced (performed [with the exception of vox], recorded, arranged, mixed and mastered) by my partner and myself. Lastly, it is through my partner's and my efforts of the last few years that we have any libraries to submit to in the first place.

In light of the above, and in light of the fact that we're not talking about record deals involving millions of dollars here - just a typical library licensing fee, is a 3-way split fair? Or, is there a way to specify writer's splits separately from master recording licensing fee splits in a typical library contract? Meaning, that any upfront master recording licensing fees would be split 3 ways, but any royalties after the fact would utilize the traditional music/lyrics 50/50 split? We don't understand how this is possible since it is our understanding that the library typically registers the songs placed with the PROs along with specifying the % splits.

We want to be fair, but we're trying to avoid having to put together an extremely complicated agreement. As well, I personally don't have a lot of incentive to work with a vocalist when I get 25% after using all my gear to record the track and my 'studio costs' have not been recognized.

Any insight greatly appreciated.

Jeff

[simonparker]

Jeff:

I would read up on this first, before agreeing to anything - it should answer your questions about master rights versus performance rights/publishing and how splits are done. There are also plenty of people on this forum with experience to be able to help with additional questions.

https://www.taxi.com/transmitter/0606/m ... aries.html

[Casey H]

I would do a simple 3-way split on everything. It's best to just consider yourselves equal partners--- without each person's role, there would be no product. That's the way most pros do it.

Casey

[T&V Marino]

Three-way split is the most fair. As they say in Nashville about that, "Write a word, get a third."

~ Tracey & Vance Marino

[Kolstad]

I understand the unequal workload and level of investment, but what sells a song is mainly vocals and great lyrics are hard to come by. Great production is a minimum requirement, no matter how great it is, so I would definately suggest an equal split as well.

[ersatz]

thanks all for the replies