Pay rate for recording gig

DrChill · #1 09-20-2010, 12:51 PM

Gents,

A friend of mine is financing his own recording and has asked me to put in a day at the studio for a live recording. I play bars and song swaps with him regularly and even though he pays me, I wouldn't call myself a professional by any stretch.

Usually we are playing dive bars and he'll slide me $20-$30 cash, plus a bar tab, plus tips. He asked me what I'd charge for recording and I have no idea what to tell him. I'm thinking $20/hour maybe. I don't think his CD is going platinum or anything, honestly I'd be surprised if he turned any profit at all. I think he's just cutting it to have some tracks on a platter.

I don't want to short change myself, but I really don't want to overcharge either. I'm usually pretty solid, but I probably will make at least one mistake and in live recording that can be very costly.

Any opinions at all are appreciated.

Thanks and Cheers

Eric Hochberg · #2 09-20-2010, 01:29 PM

A mistake or three in a recording studio can usually be fixed no problemo. Ask him what his budget is for you, and then figure out how many hours you're willing to do for that amount.

DrChill · #3 09-24-2010, 02:49 PM

Thanks for the advice,

I talked about it with a friend who gigs and tours professionally here in San Antone. We discussed how some of the big name players will get $100/ song and the difference between a normal rate and a doing your buddy a solid rate.

The guys who is laying down the tracks is a good friend, and always pays me even when it comes out of his own pocket. So given that I'm far from pro, I told him I'd hook him up for $10/hour. I already mostly know the songs and I don't think he wanted to pay me more than $100 total anyway. I certainly wouldn't fell comfortable taking that much for just one afternoon.

I hope the bass players union local 404 doesn't decide to come break my fingers for my cut-rate offer after hearing about this.

Am I being stupid, or rather stupider than normal?

Please let me know,
JD

ChuckCorbisiero · #4 09-24-2010, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrChill

I hope the bass players union local 404 doesn't decide to come break my fingers for my cut-rate offer after hearing about this.

Am I being stupid, or rather stupider than normal?

Please let me know,
JD

When you come in late after a gig, do you ever feel like somebody's watching you? If so, don't do it.

damonsmith · #5 09-24-2010, 06:22 PM

If it is a friend AND You like the music AND you don't have many recordings out there AND you think it is going to get around well, then a good dinner and a bunch of copies of the cd is OK.
Especially if he someone you play with and want a return favor some day!

If you are not so into the music ask for a $50-100 for the day. CDs are just business cards anymore. I can still move CDs, but not like 5-10 years ago. If he is pressing up real cds the chances of breaking even are real slim these days. If he does have enough of a following and he is a good guy ask for royalties at the end of the year.
I was working with a great drummer who miraculously is able to move product still and cut me several royalty checks.

Eric Hochberg · #6 09-30-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrChill

Am I being stupid, or rather stupider than normal?

Please let me know,
JD

Only if you think you are! I've done many recording favors for friends, sometimes I've regretted it, mostly not. I look at the quality of the project and how much I want to be involved. I also figure I can get the favor returned at some point if I need to, or do it to return a favor... BTW, these are generally jazz projects that aren't going to be big sellers or on major labels.

delta7fred · #7 09-30-2010, 11:46 AM

Slightly different I know.

A friend of mine was a pro singer in the 80s and his band were asked to do the sessions for a newspaper pin up who was recording a CD. He did all the harmonies and put down a guide vocal that she sang along with.

They were each offered a flat fee or royalties. 2 of them were doing a lot of session work and always took royalties, the other 3 decided that she was going nowhere, who would want to buy an album or listen to songs by some girl who's only claim to fame was taking her clothes off. 2 of them are still getting royalty cheques, the other 3 are still kicking themselves, she had 12 singles in the UK charts.

I did a few sessions in the 80s for another friend of mine on some original stuff that he had written, I got a few beers out of it, but I was pretty sure that he was not going to sell a million. I did it more for the experience and because he was, and still is, a good friend.