Studio Applications?!

[Pre Studio Productions]

Hey dudes, is it normal for you to have your clients sign a paper with terms and agreements before recording? Here some ideas/questions I will put on my application.

Job Needed
-mixing
-mastering
-full track

What genre?

Do you need an instrument that u don't have?

How experienced are your members in terms of skills?

How many songs are u going to record?

Post emails and phone numbers in which I can contact everyone.

You may choose payment method by hour, song, or day.
- 15.00 an hour
-100 per song
-150 per day

Must pay 40% before any recording happens.

If u cant get a certain part down after (7) tries, I have the right to help. (is this fair?)

No smoking

If u need to sleep over or stay in the guest rooms over night, please contact me.

If u break or damage anything, u pay for it

Every band member must sign the agreements.


Ok, so is this too much? Am I missing anything? What should I take out? What should I add? I just want everything to be covered in case some shit goes down lol

 

[timislegend]

you forgot indemnification... if the band is infringing on any copyright laws (like stealing a song) you need to protect your facility, as you will become partially responsible for reproducing the said intellectual property.

also, you might want to look into exculpatory and hold harmless clauses.


oh, and also... 'cause it's x-mas - a santa claus.

 

[Pre Studio Productions]

How would I go about doing all those things? Except the Santa Claus thing I already got that covered

 

[rob w]

This is pretty reasonable. I explain to clients that the sound recording remains the sole property of the studio until full payment has been made. Tracking can go on for days if dealing with unrehearsed kids who think they can fall on their guitar and expect me to edit into an Andy James solo, so tracking rates by the hour are a wise choice. But also non-musical rules such as No Dogs, Drinks etc in control room get everyone one the same page before starting. Unless you're dealing with a label, everyone's signatures are recommended, it depends on if the client is John the guitarist or (band name).

 

[rob w]

you forgot indemnification... if the band is infringing on any copyright laws (like stealing a song) you need to protect your facility, as you will become partially responsible for reproducing the said intellectual property.

also, you might want to look into exculpatory and hold harmless clauses.


oh, and also... 'cause it's x-mas - a santa claus.

Unless you're distributing the material the studio has no part in copyright infringement. Recording other people's material is not the issue, selling it is.

 

[BLUElightCory]

Off the top of my head...

- Take out the part allowing the band to determine how they will be paying (day/song/hour). Do this on a case-by-case basis, or offer day vs. hourly rates. You need to set some limits for the "per song" rate or raise it or else it's going to screw you over. Most bands use 2-3 days per song in my experience.

- Put in something that stipulates that you will not store the band's project on your drives for more than "x" amount of time after the project is finished. The band should be responsible for bringing in a hard drive for you to back up / transfer files to, or they should pay for DVD transfers if necessary. This protects you from people coming back a year later looking for their audio files, and it'll save your hard drives from filling to the brim.

 

[Pre Studio Productions]

wow thanks for the great advise everyone!

so a couple things to check up on:

-I have to protect my studio from copyright laws? basically stating that the studio is not at fault if the client steals a song and sells it?

-no drinks and animals is a must lol if forgot to put that.

-so i should state that until the product is finally done, it's in the studio's pocession? so i can post it wherever i want? (shoutout Ultimate Metal Forum)

-lastly, if i print all the songs on a cd, then give it to them, then i delete the song file from my computer, and then they lose it, is it my responsibility?

 

[Uros]

I know I am asking much, but it would be so cool when some of you guys that are doing it this way could post an example of a recording contract. All I have used for now was a payment agreement and that's it. It would be really awesome to read something thoroughly written, to make sure nothing is left out of the contract.

 

[Pre Studio Productions]

Tracking can go on for days if dealing with unrehearsed kids who think they can fall on their guitar and expect me to edit into an Andy James solo, so tracking rates by the hour are a wise choice.

oh man i tracked a kid like that 2 weeks ago. Kid couldnt even stay on time with open chords and he expects me to "make it sound good". I told him to just let me play it because he's a beginner and he is going to make the song sound like shit. He twisted his face at the thought of the idea, so i sent his ass home.

 

[rob w]

Your contract should state that the finished recorded product will be supplied on CD, Memory Stick etc, upon receipt of full payment (as agreed), you can let the client know that the project will be stored for 60 days for example afterwards. This can bring further business should the client wish to amend certain aspects of the mix etc..
In general a recording contract is just that, an agreement that you will provide a particular product under an agreed set of parameters - "client will receive an edited, mixed, mastered recording not exceeding 75 mins to a quality representative of their abilities on Compact Disk/ Dat tape/ mp3 etc..
It also shows professionalism on your part.

 

[Pre Studio Productions]

Your contract should state that the finished recorded product will be supplied on CD, Memory Stick etc, upon receipt of full payment (as agreed), you can let the client know that the project will be stored for 60 days for example afterwards. This can bring further business should the client wish to amend certain aspects of the mix etc..
In general a recording contract is just that, an agreement that you will provide a particular product under an agreed set of parameters - "client will receive an edited, mixed, mastered recording not exceeding 75 mins to a quality representative of their abilities on Compact Disk/ Dat tape/ mp3 etc..
It also shows professionalism on your part.

Wow dude, do u have a template? Do u have an application?

 

[rob w]

Recording contracts can become 40 page affairs when dealing with labels etc..
If you're dealing with unsigned the following should suffice -

This contract between (band/client) hereafter named as "artist" and (sneap studio) hereafter named as "studio" is executed and effective on (date).

"Artist" and "studio" wish to enter into this agreement to produce a recording of music hereafter named as "the recording" performed by "artist" commencing (date) at (location) for a period ending no later than (date).
"Artist" agrees to pay "studio" the sum of (amount) for the recording and delivery of "the recording".

"Studio" agrees to deliver (1) master of "the recording" on Compact Disk to a quality and standard equal to master recordings for commercial release.
"The recording" will not be greater than 75 minutes in length.
"The recording" will be representative of the abilities of "artist".
"Studio" will supply equipment and materials required for sound recording of musical instruments.

"Artist" will supply all musical instruments to appear on "the recording"
"Artist" will cooperate in good faith the abilities and attitude required to enable "studio" to produce "the recording".

The sound recording of "the recording" remains the property of "studio" until full payment for master copy has been paid to "studio".
A copy of "the recording" will be kept for 60 days with "studio". After 60 days "the recording" will be permanently erased.

I agree to the terms and conditions of this contract
Signed "artist"_________________date___
Signed "studio"________________date___

This may seem over the top to people recording their mate's band in good spirits, but if you're trying to earn money from this, these contracts are essential to avoid confusion later. As I said earlier, these things can and do become 40 page affairs covering everything from "studio" will call the singer "Da Man" at all times to - copyright issues etc...

 

[kronk_1985]

No harm in getting a decent solicitor involved as well.. If you're looking to carry on "Studio-ing" for the foreseeable future, it's a small investment into peace of mind.