Free Sample Music Recording Agreement Templates

To help you grow your business, we've created a pretty simple yet reliable music recording contract template in Word and PDF versions so you can use it over and over.

What's in this model?

• Registration company details (name, contact details)

• Artist contact information (group name, names of each artist, contact information)

• Production details, e.g. studio address, recording session dates, control of song selections on recording, and control of album title

What is a music recording contract?

A music recording contract is a legal agreement or agreement between a record company and a recording artist so that the artist can make a series of recordings for the record company to obtain the right to sell and promote this recording. The agreement has a predefined set of rules that both parties must abide by.

What is a musical recording?

A musical recording is the recording of a piece of music that can be sold on media other than audio cassettes. Series of recordings usually consist of several tracks and are sold as an album or a series of albums.

The typical example is a rock band recording an album. For example, the band might have a set of five albums, each with 10 songs. The record company might also provide a complete set of songs as a CD single (a CD containing only one song) or a compilation (a set of albums comprising songs from one or more albums).

The music recording also includes the right for the record company to sell recordings via the Internet, download or otherwise.

What are the types of music recording contracts?

There are three types of recording contracts: artist recording contracts, group recording contracts and independent producer recording contracts. Artist recording contract is a contract by which an artist signs an agreement with a record company to record their songs and market them. The group recording contract is a contract by which several artists record songs and market them. The independent producer recording contract is a contract by which an independent producer (which is not a record company) records songs and commercializes them.

Why do I need a music recording contract?

The contract follows the appropriate legal terms for you to show your consent for copyright on sound recording for the company and other recording services for a specific period of time.

Important Terms

What should a recording contract contain?

The record deal is to release music videos, albums and singles on the label's personal digital channels. It further includes the label's payment agreement for the making, distribution and marketing of the recordings, in which the label agrees to pay the artist the share of the money from the sales of the recordings. This is called the royalty rate and it is obtained through downloads, streams, CDs, vinyls, music licenses in TV programs or films, compilations, soundtracks or even MiniDisc sales.

Take a look at the important things that are in a record deal:

• Registration company details (name, contact details)

• Artist contact information (group name, names of each artist, contact information)

• Production details, e.g. studio address, recording session dates, control of song selections on recording, and control of album title

• Recording details, e.g. number of tracks, album length, release date, recording rejection notification, re-recording date (if applicable)

• Exclusivity clause (a clause binding the artist(s) to the record company, prohibiting them from entering into a similar recording agreement with another company during the term of the contract)

• Payment of registration and promotion fees

• Percentage Breakdown of Royalties

• Promotional appearances (maximum number of appearances, appearance fees, etc.)

• Termination Provisions (upon written notice in the event of non-performance by either party)

How to create a contract for a record label?

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

Define the document format

Your document should be easy to read for this you should set a comfortable font size and style like New Times Roman 12 point.

Add a title

At the top of the first page, you should center “Artist Registration Agreement” between the right and left margins.

Identification of the two parties to the contract

You must identify the artist and record company. It's really useful to create the contract as a template that can be used multiple times. For this you need to insert blank lines for the date and artist name.

Add the main clauses of the contract

Clauses describe the basis or context of the contract. You can include recitals that describe the desires of both contracted parties. It is common for recitals to be fragmented phrases.

Add a definition section

The definition section is important if you use complicated terms in your contract. It basically includes the definition of the terms used in a contract.

Add contractual clauses

The contract terms are the main part of the entire contract where you should include the following:

• Artist registration obligations where an artist must submit certain songs to you before you agree to release it. You should also explain the initial registration requirement.

• You must identify the costs that you do not re-invoice to the artist.

• An 'album on call' clause which means that if you get a deal for an album from any of the major labels or major independent labels during the 12 month term of the contract and the contract may have expired before you can't record it, in which case you must include a clause in which the artist agrees to come back and record the album.

• An exclusivity provision is necessary when you do not want an artist to perform for someone else during the term of the 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 period of time after your contract ends.

Describe payment terms and policies 

It includes:

• Identification of any deposit made by an artist or music company for the recording of the original 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 or not they will be refunded on their deposit.

• Clearly explain the ownership of recorded tracks, which in most cases is a record company.

• Identify your rights to distribute recorded titles to the artist to avoid confusion.

• Also talk about the royalty rate.

Add alliances 

• Include a commitment that the artist's work is original.

• Add an indemnification clause where the artist agrees not to sue you for any misunderstandings in the agreement.

• You can include a provision that you will resolve any disputes with the assistance of a mediator.

• You can also include provisions that explain to the artist that the music industry is risky.

Finalize the contract

Finally, you will add the conditions for terminating a contract. Where you can retain the right to terminate the contract with you or attach any other terms to it.

Address of both parties

Add the following details of both parties:

• Name

• Address

• daytime phone

• Evening phone

• Fax number

• E-mail address