Royalty Free Music - how it works

ONDRAY · 15th November 2007

Hi, I'm doing a digital media project which the client is recording some dialog and wants some background music added. Their budget doesn't allow for original composition, so I recommended using some stock royalty free music since the project will not be for commercial mass market or major film. I let them listen to a few options and they have selected the one they like. Unfortunately it's not in a library that I own already and will have to purchase it.

-Do you normally charge the client the full price of the library - Around d $150 +more? Or do you just buy it and charge them accordingly for each track they use. How much normally, I know from the stock house it's about $30-$40 p/track.

-Do I need to give the client a list of tracks used and a copy of the royalty-free non-exclusive agreement that comes with the library?

How does this work?

Energie · 15th November 2007

I don't think you need to give the client the tracks. If you purchase a library, then its yours to use in your productions, you can mark it up too as long as the client doesn't know what you are paying for the library or per track, which you should keep this info to yourself imo. Then if you have a standard needle drop fee, use that.

I wouldn't charge the full price of the library, but on idividual drop basis, or blanket music fee for the project, or however you want to deal with it, but you should keep the music in the end to use again and make more money off of it.

Royalty free really only means liscence free, so you won't have to keep on paying a fee each time you use the track, its a one time price (except if they have something setup up for like much larger runs etc). But usually you should still comply with all cue sheet stuff.

15th November 2007	#1
ONDRAY Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 737 Thread Starter	Royalty Free Music - how it works Hi, I'm doing a digital media project which the client is recording some dialog and wants some background music added. Their budget doesn't allow for original composition, so I recommended using some stock royalty free music since the project will not be for commercial mass market or major film. I let them listen to a few options and they have selected the one they like. Unfortunately it's not in a library that I own already and will have to purchase it. -Do you normally charge the client the full price of the library - Around d $150 +more? Or do you just buy it and charge them accordingly for each track they use. How much normally, I know from the stock house it's about $30-$40 p/track. -Do I need to give the client a list of tracks used and a copy of the royalty-free non-exclusive agreement that comes with the library? How does this work? __________________ ____________________________ Minus3Audio.com

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15th November 2007	#2
Energie Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,092	I don't think you need to give the client the tracks. If you purchase a library, then its yours to use in your productions, you can mark it up too as long as the client doesn't know what you are paying for the library or per track, which you should keep this info to yourself imo. Then if you have a standard needle drop fee, use that. I wouldn't charge the full price of the library, but on idividual drop basis, or blanket music fee for the project, or however you want to deal with it, but you should keep the music in the end to use again and make more money off of it. Royalty free really only means liscence free, so you won't have to keep on paying a fee each time you use the track, its a one time price (except if they have something setup up for like much larger runs etc). But usually you should still comply with all cue sheet stuff.