BUSINESS 101 side of recording....adviced needed!!

Re: BUSINESS 101 side of recording....adviced need 

exactly. and if you get paid, you won't be going to court anyway! But no, getting the contract notarized doesn't guarantee anything, so don't bother. You make two originals, you and the band's representative (whoever's writing the checks) sign both, you keep one and they keep the other. The tricky part, and it applies to what Camilo said, is how to keep the music in the studio. In the old days it was easy because cassettes made of mixes weren't the masters, so the client always had to settle up to get the master mix. Now, with everyone wanting CDs, you're basically letting the masters out everytime the band goes home "to check the mix". This also gets back to the schedule thing. It might be possible to not let the final mix of the final song out until you get your final payment. I dunno, if you're really worried, maybe you can give them the roughs in MP3 format or something. I have to say, I've been on the film side and out of the music side for a long time now, so as far as what format to give out I'm sure there are other options, but business is business and so you do have to be careful about what you let out. Not paranoid, because that's insulting to the client, but careful. If you're matter-of-fact and upfront about the business side, it avoids a lot of confusion and problems down the road.

It must really be said that it is not absolutely necessary that the studio where the music was recorded be on a persons album. If you helped write or produce the music then get some writers or producers credits, but just because a person recorded a song at your studio does not entitled you to a single thing but your studio cost nor does it require them to put your name on anything. Let that sink in. If you don't own any of the music and all you did was record the music, there is no absolute requirement that your name be anywhere. If you want that, then get a lawyer and get the documents drawn up. Real people in the Real music business have a Real attorney. I would not even deal with an artist that does not have an attorney. I want all the legal stuff out of the way. THENNNNNNNN the fun can begin. You will never convince a judge they agreed to put your name (or studio name) on the album via a verbal agreement; it just is not the proper way to do business in THIS business. Get everything in writing and get paid upfront. Expecting freebies later (like your name or studio name on the album, the mention of your name if/when they get a Grammy or are on TV, etc.) really gets you nowhere. Sorry to tell you that! Truth hurts! So, I see Joe Blow recorded his music at your studio. So! That would not make me want to do business with you. Your end product is what I listen for. If the song is wack, that is the last time I'd ever even think about you. I would associate you with wack recorded songs. (Just being honest here) Some of the most expensive and well known studios in the country can do a S&#T job at recording music and vocals. So that does not impress me. If the music sounds good, and you not only engineered it, but also mixed it, thennnnn you get major props. Any orange-haired teenager with a good sound card and a Radio Shack mike can record WAV files. What you do with them after the fact is what will impress others more. I've worked with some of the very best. I'm just telling you what I hear. Just my .02 cents.