Make My Own Music-Your Team Members Roles! Part Four

Today is part four and will discuss a bit about money, commission costs and negotiating with the manager's deal. For the manager they typically get anywhere from 15% to 20% of the bands gross earnings. A majority of the music managers get 15 % as these percentages are applied to the gross earnings, before deducting any
expenses. So, this is what this means:

1. If your a solo artist/act, the fee is pretty much what is sounds like for publishing , songwriting, records, etc. There are some finer points that I will mention in a later post. In a nutshell the manager makes 15% of everything that your band brings in right down to the penny. When you are touring, a manager can make a good chunk out of your net. An example here: If the band earns $100,000 and you net say $40,000, your manager's 15% gross at $15,000 which is almost 40% of your $40,000 net income from your tour.

2. So if you are a group and you have more than five members, 15% of gross equals almost the same, or more than. any one of you earns if money is divided equally. Let say you have seven band members everybody gets one-seventh, that's 14.28%, which is actually less per band member than the manager's 15%. Keep in mind that the manager's cut comes "off the top" before you divide up monies.

Very important when hiring a manager is only offer 15% and not a penny more. Despite the powerful impact that a manager should and will have, it is possible to negotiate with your manager. Some managers will try to negotiate 20% stating that if you are a new band it is a risk for the time invested. The 15% to your manager is not going to stay this way for ever. Once your act reaches a certain dollar amount, let's say one million dollars. Anything after the negotiating certain dollar amount usually the percentage for the manager then goes to 20%.

So i need to mentioned what we call deductions that pertain to the business. Certain monies are customarily deducted before computing the manager's percent, even when he/she is paid on gross. Most manager don't take a commission on these deductions. Here is a list that don't involve payment to your manager.

1. Recording Costs.
If your label pays you monies specifically for recording a single release or album release you should not have to pay a commission. This is because the funds only pass through your hands and is not income.

2. Monies paid to a producer
This is the same as recording costs. This does also include advances to the producer, and also royalties.

3. Co-writers
When a song or songs are written with another party, the manager shouldn't get paid on the other person's share of the song's earnings.

4. Tour support
This is money paid by the record company to offset your losses from touring.

5. Cost of collection
Let say that you have to sue someone to get paid, the cost of suing them to collect your earnings should be deducted before applying the manager's percentage. Let's say that a promoter takes you for $50,000, and it costs the band $10,000 in legal fees, collection and court costs the manager should only commission on $40,000.

6. Sound and lighting
It is very common in personal appearances contracts for the band or artist to supply there own sound and lighting. The promoter then rents the sound and lights from their  artist or band for a specific dollar amount. This rent money is  considered an expense reimbursement. The manager is not paid on the amount allocated to sound and lights.

7. Opening acts
When you blow up and become superstar status, your deal for a personal appearance may also include monies paid to an opening act. Once again this is money that passes through your hands and shouldn't be commissionable.

This is all for today. I will post tomorrow and continue more on what to expect in the music industry. To make your own music click here.

Record Your Own Music-Your Team Roles Part Two

This is day three of a series on how to make your own music and the process and proper steps to make it in the recording world. The last post, I mentioned who your team members should be when pursuing a career in music. I primarily focused on the manager's role. Today's post I will cover the roles of other team members briefly. It seems that band's and solo artists find it a bit more difficult to find a manager than a lawyer. So why is it easier to get a music lawyer than a manager? The big factor that I have experienced in this crazy industry is the time factor. The required by a lawyer is very minimal compared to the time a manager has to devote to all the duties twenty four seven. The manager focuses on songs, image, bookings and overseeing the daily operations.  Remember is is the lawyer's relationship and clout-not their time-that count. A key component that most bands don't realize is that the lawyer you hire can shop your CD(demo) around to the recording companies.A word of caution about hiring a lawyer to shop your CD. Most of the lawyers in the business consider the importance to maintain their credibility with the record companies, and thus will only shop the CD that they personally really believe in. Yes unfortunately, there are a few music lawyers who will shop anything that comes flying through the door as long as they get paid a fee. I would take caution to this method. Stick to your manager submitting your material unless the lawyer thinks your the best thing since sliced bread and feels that your band is one phone call of getting signed if this is your bands intention. Always ask before hiring a lawyer if they shop a lot of Cd's. If they say yes just to get you excited, run. This situation is no better than submitting yourself, and maybe worse, because the record companies know these lawyers and how they operate. Always check out references before hiring a music lawyer. Ask them for names of solo artists and acts that they have shopped both successfully or not. See who is legit. When hiring your team members make it a collective effort with all band members. If you are a solo artist, than it is not a collective choice but always include your manager in the process. make sure you look beyond the big sales pitch of anyone that you interview. Everyone looks great when they are selling their assets to you. Make sure that you and your band is not lulled by promises that sound a bit far fetched. Many people say and promise things which they can not deliver just to get the job with your band. You and your band mates should be able to sift through these nuts. This is all for today. I will continue this series tomorrow. We are always trying to save money on recording costs. Click here to record your own music.

Author: Arian Collin is a manager in the music business.

Record Your Own Music-Your Team Members Roles!

So, I have decided to post a series of the process of the business side on making your own music for your band or solo artist. Yesterday I posted information on team members and the people you need to succeed in the industry of music making. This post I will explain the roles of your team members. The personal manager is the single most important person in your professional life. A good or great personal manager can and should expand your career to its maximum potential. When the job is done properly, a personal manager is basically the general manager and chef operating officer of your enterprise. Yes, a enterprise, a business. There are some artists without managers, but they are very much the exception, and they usually have one or more others on the team filling this role. The most important aspects of the manager's job are:

1. Helping you with major business decisions, such as deciding which record company to sign with, whether to make a publishing deal, how much front money to ask for, this kind of thing.

2. Helping you with the creative process, such as selecting a producer, deciding which songs to record, hiring band members, selecting photographers, publicist, etc.

3. Promoting your career by hyping you to everyone the manager meets, helping you coordinate a publicity campaign, etc.

4. Assembling and heading your professional team by introducing you to lawyers, business managers, and agents, and overseeing these people's work.

5. Coordinating your concert tours by working with your agent to make the best deals with promoters, routing your tour, working with your business manager to develop a budget, assembling your road crew, supervising the road and tour managers to make sure that everything runs a smooth as butter.

6. Pounding your record company to maximize the advertising and marketing campaigns for your records, making sure your records are treated as priorities, screaming at them when they are wrong and praising them when they do right.

7. Generally, being a buffer between you and the outside world, such as fielding inquires for commercial endorsements, personal appearances, charitable requests, taking the rap for the tough decisions that you make but don't want anyone to think you did, etc.

This is just a fraction of the managers role. On my next post I will discuss how to negotiate a contract deal with your manager. This is my second post of a major series I am posting daily on life in the music making business. Click here to record your own music.

Getting Your Team Together!

In the music business bands and solo artist's tend to miss a vital component in the process of there music career. Getting your team together is very very important. You need professionals to maximize your career an your net worth. You need to hire a staff. Here are your members you must include:

1. Personal Manager
2. Attorney
3. Business Manager
4. Agency

You and your band need to realize that you are a business. The music business is a money making machine and you must think of yourself as a business. Most artist don't like business. Not saying that you are not good at it but it is part of the music making and creating. Even if you are capable let others handle this. You should focus primarily on the music aspect. Keep in mind that you career is going to be a very limited run. Don't take offense to this point. There are very few Rolling Stones out there. The first choice is always a manager. Someone who will give there left arm for you and had big plans for you and your band. This individual needs to be filled with energy and enthusiasm. A manager should be a major part and considered and treated as a band member. It is easier to find a lawyer. They are a dime a dozen and are waiting for you call to construct a deal with the record labels. Lawyers are the last team member. Just before you are ready to commit to a label. Where do you find these people? The heavy hitters are in New York, Los Angeles and Nashville if you are in the country genre. There is a wesite called http://www.allaccess.com/. Here you can find an online directory of the top professionals you need. Hits magazine has information on contacts of bands team members. Also, Billboard is a great source. Go to, http://www.billboard.com/. By no means are these an a exhausting list of sources. Stay away from the sharks that are just looking to make money and do little or no work for you. Use your other team members to add to the team. A manager is partial responsible for recomending other team members. Never hesitate to ask what someone is going to charge you for his or her services. Remember that your manager should earn more money than the others. Managers are entitled to you royalties as well. Managers get anywhere from 8-15 percent. That is a good deal. They handle a big chunk of the work load. Remember you are hiring people to guide your professional life, not to hang out and party in the tour vans or buses. I will be posting several steps in succeeding in the music business. I hope this helps some of you inspiring musicians. Here is a great way to save money on studio recoring costs. Click here.

Everything About The Music Business!

I have to mentioned a great source of information that is written by Donald Passman who is a music lawyer for some of the biggest recording stars in music history. He has written a difinitive and essential book called "All You Need To Know About The Music Business". The Sixth edition is very comprehensive, revised and updated version of all the legal and financial aspects of the music world. Passman covers everything from how to form a team for your band to royalties. His keys to success in the music industry is how to protect yourself from recording labels. This book is a indispensable tool that is vital to anyone getting into the business. Drawing on Passmans's own unique professional experience as one of the most trusted advisors in the industry. In the latest edition the Los Angeles Times calls it "the industry bible". This book is a must for bands and solo artist seeking a career as a music artist. This book is the best piece of material you will find. A great reference for your music making process.

Music Making Software's!

A few online music making software's make it very easy to produce your own music at home at just the fraction of the cost of the professional studios which usually charge upwards of $200 per hour or even more. These software's will provide all the tools that are needed to succeed in the sphere of music production.
Most of the artists that are famous now started out with meager resources. But the evolution of the computers and the Internet has changed everything as today's budding artists have access to great music recording tools in  their own homes. I have found that these software's give you total say over your music has they have hundreds of virtual instruments and beats. You can't get any instrument that you can think of. From keyboards to drum beats, if you ever need them. All the sounds are crystal clear, mastered and the finished product is as good as that created in a professional studio.They offer multiple tracks which can be mixed at will with just a simple click of your mouse. Sequencers are well-designed and let you choose the tempo that you want along with the beats per minute that sounds good to you. Edit each track individually and apply equalizers to them either individually or to the finished track as a whole. You can also use stereo field individually for each track you create. Either choose the left channel or right or keep it in the center, you have the full authority over your beats and the independence to do whatever you want. These are just some of the basic things that you can do with these software's. They offer dozens of other complex features that can be used to produce sounds that you want. Look into a few of these music making software's. You won't be dissapointed.

Click here!


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4808554

Music Making Software Easy To Use!

     Musicians these days are finding easier and more effective way to express their creative talents. I have found a great download for creating beats and sounds that are comparable to a recorded studio. Dub Turbo is the answer for any artist seeking to record his or her own original material. Once you have used Dub Turbo you will forget all about the recording studio and there sky rocketing prices. The neat thing about Dub Turbo is that it is already in a finished product once you have completed recording. No additional costs on mastering or mixing. The product is great for bands and solo artists creating a demo.

Check it out!