When a demo track gets sold

brianh · #1 06-13-2009, 02:50 PM

Hi Justin,

Love your playing and thought you'd definately know tons about this. I recently played on a demo track that is being sold to an artist for major label release. I did the track for a couple hundred buck with a verbal agreement from the producer/writer of getting points if it sold (and no work for hire contract).

My question is basically what is/will be owed to me upon sale of the track and is usually the deal with royalties? If they decide to rerecord the bass line I wrote, do I have any rights?

jmjbassplayer · #2 06-13-2009, 04:04 PM

Let me ask this:

You played on a demo, and they told you that you would get points? That is highly unusual. I've never received points for playing on a demo that went further.

In that instance, I usually just get paid an additional amount, like a double-scale Union session or something.

However: if you WROTE something within the song (for instance, if they are being magnanimous and considering your bass line writing, which is great), then you are more likely due some publishing, e.g. your split of the writer's share of the song. ALONG WITH a session fee.

Whether or not your bass line constitutes a co-write is between you and them.

JMJ

brianh · #3 06-13-2009, 04:59 PM

Ok, that makes sense. So, basically I should just expect to be paid a bit more for the session (like a union rate)? I was offered points and in speaking with the producer today, that is being honnored.

I have to be honnest, I have not done much major label album work so I'm not totally sure how this should work. Is there any known publication on this type of thing?

Thanks!

JimmyM · #4 06-13-2009, 08:58 PM

Sorry for butting in (not really but I'm trying not to so often) but just take what you can get and run, bro! Anyone who offers you points is being way more generous than what most studio musicians get for demos elevated to masters. Unless of course they're planning on selling way fewer copies than what you'd get for doubling your rate. Of course, very few people go into this with the intention of not selling, so it sounds like it might make you a little scratch.