Music Recording Contract Template

In order to create a contract for a record label follow the steps given below:

• Set the format of document:

Your document must be easy to read for that you need to set a comfortable font size and style like New Times Roman12 point.

• Add title:

At the top of the first page, you should center “Artist Recording Contract” between the right- and left-hand margins.

• Identification of both parties of the contract:

You should identify the artist and the recording company. It is really helpful if you create the contract as a template that can be used multiple times. For that you should insert blank lines for the date and the artist’s name.

• Add the main clauses of contract:

Clauses describe the basics or background of the contract. You may include recitals that describe the desires of both parties under contract. It is standard for recitals to be fragment sentences.

• Add a definition section:

Definition section is important if you are using some difficult terms in your contract. It basically includes the definition of the terms used in a contract.

• Add contract terms:

The contract terms are the main part of the whole contract where you must include the following things:

• Artist’s recording obligations where an artist needs to present you with some songs before you agree to market him or her. You also need to explain the initial recording obligation.
• You must identify the costs which you don’t charge back to the artist.
• An “overcall album” provision which means that if you get a deal for an album from one of the major labels or major independent record labels during the 12-month term of the contract and the contract might have expired before you can record it, in that case you should include a provision where the artist agrees to come back and record the album
• Exclusivity provision is needed when you don’t want an artist to perform for someone else during the period of contract with you.
• A non-compete clause states that an artist must not record a contract or promote a recording for another label for a certain time frame after your contract ends.

• Describe payment terms and policies:

It includes :

• Identification of any deposit made by an artist or music company for recording initial tracks.
• Explain how the artist will pay the remaining costs before starting the recording session.
• Explain how the artist can cancel the recording date and whether he will get a refund or not on his deposit.
• Clearly explain about the ownership of recorded tracks, that in most of the cases is record label.
• Identify your distributing rights of recorded tracks to the artist in order to avoid any confusion.
• Also talk about the royalty rate.

• Add Covenants:

• Include a covenant that the artist’s work is original.
• Add an indemnity provision where the artist agrees not to sue you for any misunderstandings in the agreement.
• You can include a provision that you will mediate any dispute with the help of a mediator.
• You can also  include some provisions which explain to the artist that the music industry is risky.

• Finalize the contract:

Finally you will add the terms of termination of a contract. Where you can keep the right of termination of contract with you or set any other condition for it.

• Address of Both parties:

Add the following details of both the parties:

• name
• address
• daytime telephone
• evening telephone
• fax number
• email address