Guide to Music Production Services Key Terms

There's a lot to the music production business, being educated will help your career

By Jessica Drew, Freelance Business Writer & Editor

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn as much music production information as possible

A great way to learn about music production key terms is find music production info online and at your local library. There are entire glossaries of key terms, appendixes and tutorials all about understanding music production services.

I recommend: Succeed in the Music Biz! has an informative site all about the music business along with a comprehensive glossary of key terms. The Recording Institute of Detroit & Recording Website offers a fully searchable glossary of key terms dealing with the music and recording industry. Select any letter to begin browsing various sections of its glossary. MusicBizAdvice.com also offers a glossary for the music industry with key terms about music production.

Understand the contracts and agreements of sound production companies

This is perhaps the most important part to understand about the music production business, because contracts bind you to strict terms and will directly affect how much you get paid. Reading contracts isn't difficult if you understand some of the key terms often used in music production contracts.

I recommend: ModernBeats has a breakdown of standard contract terms and contracts for a fee-based download. View a sample music recording contract from 101 Music Biz Contracts provided by Platinum Millennium Publishing. Studying samples can be an excellent way to learn what's standard and what's not and see how the industry uses its terminology in a legally binding contract. Big Baer Urban Alternative Music Magazine also offers a glossary of industry terms that might be helpful in music production services, including definitions and terms for recording contracts.

Know your rights by understanding music production business law

There are many components to music law, especially now that the digital age has made sharing music and piracy incredibly easy. Knowing your rights and what to do if they're violated will protect you from being taken advantage of and the first way to do this is to understand the terminology used in music law. For example, if you don't understand that exclusive rights means that you, as the copyright holder, has all legal rights to the music you've produced, then you might accidentally sign away these rights.

I recommend: Sashay Communications provides a glossary of music industry terms including definitions of legal issues like various licenses and rights of those in the music production services industry provided by an entertainment, intellectual property and business attorney. The Entertainment Law Blog offers a music industry glossary provided by an entertainment attorney who also works as a recording engineer and record producer.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you don't understand all or part of an agreement that your music production company has presented you, ask for clarification. If you suspect the terms may not be fair, consider taking the contract to a lawyer for review.

• Find the right type of music production company.
  
• Choose an affordable music production business solution based on your needs.
  
• Research information on music producing and decide between original or licensed music.
  

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get your singing career on track with the right music production company

Not every singer launches a career by performing in front of Simon Cowell. Audio production services produce both demonstration records to net a contract and full record albums to net an audience.

I recommend: GEMMusic Demos produces demos and records and offer careers guidance to aspiring singers and musicians. It has worked with artists such as Mariah Carey and Matchbox 20, as well as with Billboard Magazine, EMI Music Publishing and record companies such as Epic, Columbia and Atlantic. If country is more your thing, check out Nashville Song Demos, which offers co-writing and pre-production services, and has worked with Shania Twain and JoDee Messina, among others.

Choose music production services that work with your budget

Not everyone has a blockbuster movie budget to work with, but many audio production companies structure their business to provide greater efficiency to themselves and their clients and pass the savings on.

I recommend: Audio production company WaveGroup Sound offers real-time delivery and competitive rates for most recording and post-production budgets; projects include Guitar Hero Encore. Another affordable choice in the music production business is PMD Recording, which produces its independent-level work in-house and farms out larger projects as necessary, providing flexibility in content and pricing.

Avoid canned music; be an original

While many TV shows and commercials use classic rock, jazz and country songs as themes and background music, choosing music production companies that write their own material often pays off in not having to pay royalties out of your profits.

I recommend: Greg Youngman Music provides original music themes, cues and underscores for clients such as Fox Entertainment, Sony Pictures and Universal Studios. Producer of The Mark and Brian Show theme Barden Music Productions creates original music for film, television, commercials and multimedia productions and offers samples of its work on its website. Beatbox Music offers downloadable royalty-free music and sound effects, as well as a collection of licensed music.

If you can't be original, know where to get licensed music

Music production information isn't complete without acknowledging copyright and licensing issues. While your production company will likely handle the details for you, knowing in advance who owns the songs you want to use will help you make an informed decision.

I recommend: The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) offers information on composers and handles licensing requests for songs in its catalog. Competitor Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) offers the same licensing services. Both offer information on music producing and lists of member services.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look at a company's reputation and clientele, and get quotes from several music production companies before deciding which one to hire.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Garner statistical information on music producing in the industry

Knowing music production info. and market statistics lets you optimize your marketing strategies. Look specifically for repeating trends and areas that need services.

I recommend: MarketResearch.com offers a very detailed analysis of the music production services industry including foreign and domestic demand and market demands. It analyzes stratagems of major industry players. IBISWorld contains 49 pages of detailed reports and analysis of the music recording industry and services. It shows reports on the history of the industry and projects ideas for the future.

Educate yourself in commercial music production so you know which services to offer

Learn the fine points of music recording so services offered are professional and show knowledge and insight. Educate yourself in the intricacies of the industry as well as the common points.

I recommend: MediaTech Institute offers students a degree in recording arts after 44 weeks of classes that detail both basic and advanced aspects of music recording services. Classes cover topics such as live sound reinforcement and general music business. The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences offers students classes that get them into the studio for music production experiences. It also offers internships so students become familiar with the inner workings of the industry.

Learn current information on music production by taking online courses specializing in music tech

Explore the nuances of the music business by becoming a master of music producing info. Use online resources to learn details in music production from music technology to sound engineering.

I recommend: Berklee College of Music offers online training and degrees for music production. Learn the magic surrounding music with technology - both with Mac and PC. The SAE Educational Trust offers students online learning experiences in music production. It offers a wide variety of classes to prepare students for a variety of services in music production.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Create a wide network of professionals who offer audio production info so you can keep current with modern technological demands.

1. Music production services almost always have an affordable option to make a demo.
2. For a polished sound, look for music production info regarding audio mastering.
3. Recording studio time is a necessary expense in the music production business.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research music production information to get your first demo cut

Getting your first demo cut is imperative to getting your sound to the public. Shop around and compare prices from various music production companies to find the information on music producing for demos in a price range that you can afford.

I recommend: Nashville Songs Demos offers a basic demo package for around $200 per song, while Beaird Music Group offers music producing info on several demo packages with prices between $225 and $3,600 per song.

Find a music production business for audio mastering

Audio mastering is the final step in the music production business. It means that a music production company is hired to add the finishing touches to enhance the sound of your music. Shop around to find the best deals to meet your audio mastering needs.

I recommend: Ryan Clement will master 2 to 20 of your songs at a time for prices ranging from $50 to $300 depending on the amount of songs they master for you. Audio Source Mastering typically charges around $40 per mastered song, but charges around $150 for DJ mixes that need mastering.

Schedule studio time with music production services

To make successful music, commercials and movies, you need studio time. It is best to look for music production services that offer several services and can offer you time in the studio to create your unique sound.

I recommend: Quality Production Media offers several music production services, including studio time, with prices ranging from around $60 an hour to $1,100 for 24 hours. Jupiter Studios offers studio time with rates ranging between $25 per hour to $50 per hour, depending on the time of day or night you want to use the studio. For additional charges, you can also schedule an audio engineer to work with you.