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Post by the other mark williams on Nov 27, 2018 23:21:12 GMT -6
I’ve just been approached by a songwriter who’s interested in me cutting a demo for him (from afar, as he’s not local to me). He does not play or sing, though he’s already written the music and vocal melody. He actually had a demo done of this song 10 yrs ago by a different producer, but the songwriter has rewritten the lyrics and would like to start tracking from scratch. I’m curious: what would you guys consider the going rates to be for this kind of thing these days? It’s been a long time since I did a “one song” project. I’d prefer to quote him a flat rate for the song, rather than an hourly rate. FWIW, I would probably end up doing the drums in Superior Drummer myself, playing some guitars, playing some keys, and singing. I’d hire out bass and probably another guitar, maybe hire more keys or pedal steel. It’s a country song. I’m especially curious to hear your thoughts, Johnkenn, as you’re in the demo capital of the world. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Nov 28, 2018 0:21:48 GMT -6
It really ranges. I can tell someone a number and then another jackass will tell them I’m ripping them off and do it for $50 cheaper. I look at it like this. If you have a 4-5 song project, I can do it a lot cheaper. Hiring musicians for a one off is cost prohibitive. So if I’m going to track everything myself, I look at it like getting leader scale for three hours work: $350. (It takes me longer than that to do everything. Then add in mixing and mastering for around $150 - which is also a deal. So $500. YMMV.
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Post by M57 on Nov 28, 2018 5:58:55 GMT -6
Unless it's a bare bones arrangement with a basic rhythm section $500 sounds like a screaming deal, even if you're doing it all yourself. I would think this is where salesmanship comes in. I.e., after sitting down with the songwriter and talking through things like form, style, instrumentation, and making sure you suggest some players that only you have access to, the songwriter will start to become invested in the ideas and the relationship and will want to work with you. You can't make it about "value" or you will get lowballed. That's my non-professional 2 cents.
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Post by the other mark williams on Nov 28, 2018 13:08:51 GMT -6
This is really helpful, guys - thanks a lot. There is definitely a possibility that if one song goes well, he will want to demo 5-7 other songs. That's more what I'm used to doing. That and full-length projects. The fact is, I have less than zero headroom right now to do an ultra-cheap song. I may have to take on another job in the next few weeks just to support Søren's health, because we're going to be losing our current health insurance at the end of the year. So all that to say: It's got to be worth it financially to do this song. If it's not worth it for me right now, I may be referring him over to you, Johnkenn . That is, if you'd like this kind of gig... |
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Post by Johnkenn on Nov 28, 2018 15:35:11 GMT -6
Unless it's a bare bones arrangement with a basic rhythm section $500 sounds like a screaming deal, even if you're doing it all yourself. I would think this is where salesmanship comes in. I.e., after sitting down with the songwriter and talking through things like form, style, instrumentation, and making sure you suggest some players that only you have access to, the songwriter will start to become invested in the ideas and the relationship and will want to work with you. You can't make it about "value" or you will get lowballed. That's my non-professional 2 cents. Unfortunately, I’m in an incredibly competitive market. Maybe shoot higher. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Nov 28, 2018 15:38:04 GMT -6
This is really helpful, guys - thanks a lot. There is definitely a possibility that if one song goes well, he will want to demo 5-7 other songs. That's more what I'm used to doing. That and full-length projects. The fact is, I have less than zero headroom right now to do an ultra-cheap song. I may have to take on another job in the next few weeks just to support Søren's health, because we're going to be losing our current health insurance at the end of the year. So all that to say: It's got to be worth it financially to do this song. If it's not worth it for me right now, I may be referring him over to you, Johnkenn . That is, if you'd like this kind of gig... Def man. Sorry to hear about the insurance. What a cluster our HC is right now. |
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Post by Martin John Butler on Dec 4, 2018 16:32:12 GMT -6
"What a cluster our HC is right now". The #1 issue people are really concerned and affected by far.
Mark, John's quote is about right. I did a song for a woman who wanted me to sing on a song she wrote. She's an amateur and needed help. Mainly she liked my voice and wanted me to sing it. It was a simple acoustic guitars and vocal track. I wrote a middle for it, so I got credit. It was two sessions, and I charged around $550 with mastering, plus $100 for the Co-Write.
Don't let the possibility of doing more tunes lower your price, but you can mention a discount for doing 3 or more songs. If you need outside players, you have to let the artist know your fee is separate, and the payment to players is extra, but do that as inexpensively as you can and pass it along to the client.
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