Alternatives - How Recording Contracts Work
Alternatives
So, you may have gotten this far and are now asking yourself, "Why would anyone sign a recording contract?" There are at least two good reasons for a band to sign a recording contract:
- If you hit it big and your album goes multi-platinum, your band will make some money. You will not make a lot of money compared to the money that the label makes off a multi-platinum album, but you will make some.
- A major record deal is probably the best way to get mass-media exposure. It is unlikely, for example, to find a band getting air time on places like MTV, VH1 and commercial radio stations unless the band has signed with a big label. If mass exposure is what you crave, then a big label is probably the way to go.
But let's say that you have read this article and you aren't liking the sound of things. What are your alternatives? You have perhaps five options:
The first option is obviously the easiest from a purely logistical standpoint. But, if you're like most musicians -- emotionally invested in making your music and having it heard -- this isn't an appealing option. The last option listed above is obviously the most complicated and requires a talent for business that leverages your talent for music. Despite the complexity, there are a lot of people who have formed their own labels and made money doing it. Here are two examples:
By starting your own label, you have total control, and you make a lot more money per CD you sell. The downside is that you generally do not sell as many CDs.
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More Great Links
- Vocalist.org.uk: Example Recording Contract
- Outer Sound University: 10 Excuses For Not Having Your Own Independent Label
- Music Contracts 101
- MusicLegalForms.com
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