Music Recording Contract

Simply complete the Music Recording Contract form below then click on View Results to see your completed contract.

LawDepot's Music Recording Contract:

  • Allows bands, individual artists, or record labels to draft professional-quality recording contracts for recording artists.
  • Can be used to define compensation, royalty payments, and distribution requirements.
  • Allows you to add renewal options.
  • Also covers production details, promotional appearances, termination, mediation, and more.


If you want to form a partnership between band members, try our Band Partnership Agreement.  If you are looking for an agreement for a specific performance or performances, try our Performance Agreement

We regularly maintain this contract. Last Modified: November 2009
Music Recording Contract Details
Check to Show Hints for Completing this Form

This software has the flexibility to let you quickly create the Music Recording Contract document you want. It does this by providing many options with appropriate defaults.

One common default is 'Do Not Specify'. This default means that the finished agreement will not have a clause dealing with that topic. The benefit of not specifying is that you get a shorter and simpler document, and in some cases, the issue may not even be applicable; however, the document will be less precise.

If you are unsure of an answer, you can leave the answer blank and a blank line will be inserted in the place of your answer. You will be able to fill in that answer later (but before the contract is signed).
Governing Law

State:
Recording Company Information

Company Name:
Address:

(e.g. Street, City, State and Zipcode)
Telephone Number:
Fax Number:
(e.g. 1-709-444-3333, N/A, etc.)
Artist Information

Group Name:
Number of Artists in the Band:

First Artist's Information

Name:
Address:

(e.g. Street, City, State and Zipcode)
Telephone Number:
Fax Number:
(e.g. 1-709-444-3333, N/A, etc.)


Second Artist's Information

Name:
Address:

(e.g. Street, City, State and Zipcode)
Telephone Number:
Fax Number:
(e.g. 1-709-444-3333, N/A, etc.)


Third Artist's Information

Name:
Address:

(e.g. Street, City, State and Zipcode)
Telephone Number:
Fax Number:
(e.g. 1-709-444-3333, N/A, etc.)


Fourth Artist's Information

Name:
Address:

(e.g. Street, City, State and Zipcode)
Telephone Number:
Fax Number:
(e.g. 1-709-444-3333, N/A, etc.)


Fifth Artist's Information

Name:
Address:

(e.g. Street, City, State and Zipcode)
Telephone Number:
Fax Number:
(e.g. 1-709-444-3333, N/A, etc.)


Sixth Artist's Information

Name:
Address:

(e.g. Street, City, State and Zipcode)
Telephone Number:
Fax Number:
(e.g. 1-709-444-3333, N/A, etc.)


Seventh Artist's Information

Name:
Address:

(e.g. Street, City, State and Zipcode)
Telephone Number:
Fax Number:
(e.g. 1-709-444-3333, N/A, etc.)


Eighth Artist's Information

Name:
Address:

(e.g. Street, City, State and Zipcode)
Telephone Number:
Fax Number:
(e.g. 1-709-444-3333, N/A, etc.)


Ninth Artist's Information

Name:
Address:

(e.g. Street, City, State and Zipcode)
Telephone Number:
Fax Number:
(e.g. 1-709-444-3333, N/A, etc.)


Tenth Artist's Information

Name:
Address:

(e.g. Street, City, State and Zipcode)
Telephone Number:
Fax Number:
(e.g. 1-709-444-3333, N/A, etc.)

Production

Recording Studio Address:

(e.g. Street, City, State and Zipcode)
Click here to select a date from calendar (e.g. November 21, 2009)
Click here to select a date from calendar (e.g. December 21, 2009)
Who has control over selections to be included on the recording?
Who has control over the album title?
Who has control over recording quality?
Minimum number of tracks on the recording:
(e.g. 10)
 
Minimum duration of the recording (minutes):
(e.g. 40, 50, etc.)
Click here to select a date from calendar (e.g. November 21, 2009)
Artist must be notified of recording rejection within:
 
Artist must re-record rejected recording within:
 
Terms

Currency:
All monetary amounts will be in the designated currency.

Include Exclusive Agreement Clause?
Yes No
An exclusive agreement would prevent the Artist from entering a similar recording agreement with another recording company. An exclusivity clause is usually a necessary clause to prevent the conflicts that would occur where two production companies attempt to market the same band.
 
After the end of the contract term the Artist remains bound for:
 
 
After the termination of the recording agreement the Artist will continue to be bound by the terms of the Exclusive Agreement Clause for a further period to ensure the Company will retain control over product marketing (eg. 18 months, 2 years, etc.)
 
Number of Renewal Options:
No image
A recording contract will have an initial recording period which consists typically of the time required to create and distribute one album. The recording company may request the right or option to renew the contract for one or more subsequent albums. This option is usually at the complete discretion of the recording company.
Indicate the distribution territory:
Compensation and Royalties

Percent of Net Profit to the Company:
% (e.g. 50, 75, etc.)
Percent of Net Profit to the Artist:
% (e.g. 50, 75, etc.)
U.S. Mechanical Royaltes as percent of statutory rate:
%
Mechanical royalty in this context refers to the royalty paid to the song writer. If the recording artist is also the songwriter then this section will apply. The rate is completely negotiable. A minimum royalty is often defined in statute but is typically reduced to 75% of the statutory minimum in a recording contract.
(e.g. 50, 75, etc.)
Canadian Mechanical Royalties as percent of statutory rate:
%
Mechanical royalty in this context refers to the royalty paid to the song writer. If the recording artist is also the songwriter then this section will apply. The rate is completely negotiable. A minimum royalty is often defined in statute but is typically reduced to 75% of the statutory minimum in a recording contract.
(e.g. 50, 75, etc.)

Divide the royalties payable equally between each member of the band?
Yes No
Percent of royalties payable to each member of the band:

%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
Total:
%
Promotional Appearances

Artist to perform promotional appearances?
Yes No
Maximum promotional appearances:
(e.g. 20, 30, etc.)
What percent of appearance net revenue will the artist receive?
%
Appearances and promotions will occasionally generate revenue. The Company and the Artist will share the net revenue from these appearances. (eg. 50, 25, etc.)
 
Within how many days must the Artist receive appearance revenue?
(e.g. 15, 30, etc.)
 
Termination

Can the Artist terminate this agreement on non-performance of the Company?
Yes No
The Artist may terminate the contract if the Company fails to release a recording within what time period?
 
After termination of this agreement for reasons of non-performance, can the Artist buy back the rights to the master recording?
Yes No
Basic buyback amount exclusive of outstanding expenses:
  
 (e.g. 2000.00, 1543.68, etc.)
After completing the recording the Company can assign its rights to a third party:
 
Has the Artist sought independent legal counsel?
Yes No
Mediation

Do unresolved disputes go to mediation prior to arbitration?
Yes No Do Not Specify
When there is no mediation option, any dispute will go directly to arbitration.
Definitions

Records:
Signing Details

Signing Witness Required:
Yes No
Effective Date:

The agreement will be legally binding as of the effective date no matter which date the agreement is actually signed. Normally the effective date is the same date the Agreement is signed but can be a different date when the agreement is signed by several parties on different days.
 
Specify Date:
(e.g. November 21, 2009)