NEED ADVICE! What to charge for a remix?

Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2002 2:05 pm

Hi, I just recently got an offer by an independent Latin Music Label to remix a track that is already a hit (what I was told) on the Latin Club scene in L.A. They want us to basically revamp it for mainstream America. Kind of like Shakira, or Gloria Estephan: already making it in the Latin market, now they want to cross-over to mainstream pop.

The question is, How much should we charge? I'm not new to the music biz, but I am new to how much folks charge for gigs like this. We're starting to get out there and gigs like this are starting to come in. We don't want to miss opportunities to make music and some $$ in the process. Please help folks! Thanks in advance.

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2002 2:40 pm

Quote:

Originally posted by Danny K.:

The question is, How much should we charge? I'm not new to the music biz, but I am new to how much folks charge for gigs like this. .

I would charge what you normally charge, unless your afraid of blowing the deal, and not being considered for this type of work in the future. If the later is the case, you have to evaluate what you think you can invest into it yourself. Perhaps if you take concessions with a contract to do further work for them down the road.
Just a suggestion,
--Rick

Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2002 9:42 am

Thanks for the help. The project changed. It's not a remix anymore. They want us to do a full out hip-hop/pop (modern) style remake of an old song from the '60s. A girl who they say is the next latin Britney Spears will be singing. WHat do you think. What do producers get for something like this? Should we negiciate points on the song so that we can reep any success. I think they're trying to sell her to Atlantic records or something. Please help me out. I'm 22 years old, my brotehr is 19, and we don't want to get taken advantage of, yet we want the gig. Can somebody even throw an approximate number ($) out there of what a young, up and coming producer would charge a label?

I appreciate the help!
Dan
Hardnox Productions

Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2002 2:48 am

Hmmm...my suggestion would be a deep discount off your regular hourly rate plus points. When in doubt go for points. In the end, the points are where the real money is.

Hope this helps.

Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2002 10:06 am

Thanks for the response. How many points should I ask for? How do I track if I'm getting paid properly if I'm owed points on the record?

Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2002 2:54 pm

wow 19 and 22?
How long have you been doing this and how many in your area are competing with you?

I hope ASCAP or BMI(whichever you are a member of) will track and collect on your points.Check into it pronto.

Have you guys dealt with any contracts yet in your career or has it all been verbal?Do you know any contact lawyers?Getting screwed a bit here may just be inevitable and the experience may just come in handy down the road when you are about to hit paydirt.

Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2002 10:16 pm

We have been in music for 6 years, DJing, recording, the whole 9. We were in Keyboard Magazine this month. We aren't really competing with anybody. We live in the SF Bay Area and in my opinion the local music scene isn't at it's best right now. Somebody needs to break through. In the early-mid 90's it was fantastic! Green Day, Metallica...majors were coming through signing all these rappers out of Oakland and San Francisco like Too Short, E-40, Master P started out here. There was an independent record label sprouting everyday, making compilations that flew off the shelves. Now well, I think the quality of music has gone down. Seems like folks get money and they don't have that same drive in the studio they had when they were starving. Somebody has to break through. We think we can do it.

We will embark on this gig in the summer as we are finishing our record early summer. The same guy that wants us on this track offered to have us stay at his house in L.A. where he said he would take us around to meet with folks at labels to shop our record. We'll see what happens. I've just heard of a lot of crap that goes on in our biz. Maybe I watch too much Behind The Music. If I have to "Hit Rock Bottom" to make that show, then I don't want to be on one. Wait... I guess I've been at "Rock Bottom" now that I think of it. I just didn't try to numb my sorrow with drugs, I tried to have a good attitude about it. Please, anybody else with advice?

Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2002 4:03 am

Get yourself a lawyer and draft up a producers agreement.
it's worth the timer and money. As a producer you guys would be entitled to points on the record.
3 points is pretty standard.
Like I said earlier, hook up with a reputable music lawyer
and he/she will be able to sort you out.
Good Luck!
Lab Atomix
P.s.
Saw you guys in the recent issue of keyboard. Nice setup.
Very Happy

Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2002 4:53 pm

Make sure any agreement includes Internet sales and downloads.

It looks like artists and labels are going to be getting seperate checks so it is very important to make sure one or the other is obligated to pay you out of their portion. Ideally you want to arrange for your own check to be cut by the payer.

Keep an eye on this issue, you probably won't be reading about it on the web because it's about producers getting paid rather than corporations not having to pay.

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