Record Production

MUM 2700Music Business 1Professor Calle

Producer Responsibilities

» Maximizing the creative process - choosing good songs, creating quality arrangements, bringing out the best in all involved, overseeing the process from start to finish.

» Administration - scheduling, budgeting, filing contracts, etc.

Producer Types

» The complete producer: Qualified to handle all aspects of production including:»Technical»Creative»Budget

Musician/Engineer Producer

» This type of producer will oversee one or multiple recording sessions of a project.

» Typically, these individuals posses specialized skills in a specific area of the production process such as tracking vocals, rhythm sections, strings or horns.

Artist Producer

» A self-producing artist.» Usually controls the creative process of the production and out-sources the technical and budgetary responsibilities.

Executive Producer

» Raise money or funds the production.

» Oversee the entire production but usually have a limited creative roll.

» Record company presidents are often listed as executive producers.

Co-Producers

» Individuals who share in the production process.

» These folks can be experts in the creative, technical or budgetary aspects of production but can’t complete the process alone due to funding or other deficiencies.

Points

» Producers are usually issued an advance and then earn royalties.

» Superstars - 2 to 5 points or more.

» Midlevel - 1 to 3 points» Beginners - 0 to 1 points

Starting out» Producer is hired by an artist.» Producer works for a flat fee.» Producer will try to enter into a royalty bearing agreement with the artist in case the artist is signed by a record company.

» Artist will shop the production.

Climbing the Ladder» If a producer’s work becomes commercially successful (it sells), then record companies may hire the producer directly.

» At first, much of the work will be “work-for-hire”

» Eventually, producer will demand royalty points and receive them.

Advances

» New producers - $0 - $3,500 per track.

» Midlevel - $3,500 - $5,000 per track

» Superstars - $10,000 - $15,000 per track

» Jam & Lewis - $150,000 per track

Production Steps

» Determine the artist» Find the appropriate material» Budget & scheduling» Create a high-quality production representative and unique to the artist and genre.

» Meet all deadlines

Superstar Recoupment» Superstars such as Quincy Jones, David Foster and Phil Ramone are only responsible for recoupment of their production advances at the combined rate.

» They typically do not have to recoup the recording costs and earn royalties quickly.

Midlevel Recoupment

» These producers earn royalties from record one after recoupment of the entire project’s recording costs at the combined rate.

» These producers earn royalties slower than superstar producers.

Low level Recoupment

» These producers are paid from record one after recoupment of the entire recording cost at the net rate.

» These producers take longer to earn royalties than all other producers.

Royalties

» Assume the following: Recording costs $120,000 Producer advance $10,000 Artist royalties .50 cents per CD. Producers royalties .10 cents per CD

Net rate = .50 Combined rate = .60

Calculations» Record sells 200,000 units.» Recording costs $120,000» 200,000 * .50 (net rate) = $100,000

» Deficit of $20,000» Producer is not owed royalties.

Calculations 2

» Record sells 240,000 units.» Recording costs $120,000» 240,000 * .50 (net rate) = $120,000

» Recouped

Royalties

» 240,000 * .10 = $24,000 » Advance $10,000» Producer royalties owed » $24,000 - $10,000 = $14,000

Contracts

» As a producer always make the record company responsible for payment.

» Artists typically recoup later than producers and thusly will not have money to pay the producer.