Royalty free Music - What To Charge

[Carlo]

Hi

I am wondering if anyone here does royalty free type music for publishers.... If so what do you charge? I am wondering what the going rate is between writers and USA publishers

Im doing 30-50 pieces and I wont be as intricate as I would be if with writing the material for a publisher who doesnt buy out your syns . mechanicals etc

Does it depends on how well you are known... Im really skint for cash and looking to make some quick money to buy some of these new libraries that East West Are releasing for my main work

Any tips would be great
Ivan

[stmiller]

I personally would not ever do this. Almost like signing your rights away to what you created. Others here may have different views.

I always wondered who made the apple jam pack loops- I hope they got paid well, as I hear them being used on network TV shows almost every week. And they aren't getting any royalties...

[Crossingsound]

While giving up your rights to music is such a shame, sometimes, you gotta pay the bills when these kind of jobs present themselves, work for hire. I hate to do it, but I have written quite a few roaylty free tracks. It has, however paid a years salary for me last year, so lots of work for hire. I tend to not give up what I would consider my bestest work in these situations, sad, but true. There are some libraries that work this way, others that will share liscensing. If you are looking for work, by all means try to get it so you can keep the rights to the music, see if this is a negotiated point of contract, but if you cannot, try to get some good upfront money, and it will lessen the sting, and you will still be able to get paid for doing what we love.

how long are the cuts? 30-50 is quite a bit of work. What genre etc. What is the publisher willing to pay, or has paid in the past? these are some good questions that will help. Often, a publisher who works this way often will have a set price.

[Randall Flagg]

Hi

I am wondering if anyone here does royalty free type music for publishers.... If so what do you charge? I am wondering what the going rate is between writers and USA publishers

Im doing 30-50 pieces and I wont be as intricate as I would be if with writing the material for a publisher who doesnt buy out your syns . mechanicals etc

Does it depends on how well you are known... Im really skint for cash and looking to make some quick money to buy some of these new libraries that East West Are releasing for my main work

Any tips would be great
Ivan

I'm doing something similar right now....and will be doing it for the next 6 months. And the money I get for my music is not even worth mentioning.But on the other side ,the tracks do not sound top-class as I compose,mix,master in Reason 3.0. And in a month or so,with the money I made , I'll be able to buy some decent gear including some EastWest software,new computer,keyboard....

So my advice for you would be: If you need money just go ahead!

[Nanto Warrior]

I'm doing something similar right now....and will be doing it for the next 6 months. And the money I get for my music is not even worth mentioning.But on the other side ,the tracks do not sound top-class as I compose,mix,master in Reason 3.0. And in a month or so,with the money I made , I'll be able to buy some decent gear including some EastWest software,new computer,keyboard....

So my advice for you would be: If you need money just go ahead!


Id definately have to agree here. If the quality of music is not excellent then it would be reasonable to not charge a higher fee for the work-just dont go throwing out any spectacular ideas, you'll be kicking yourself if they're used on ABC 5 nights a week in a years time!