Music Recording Contract Template

This Music Recording Contract ("Agreement") is made and entered into on [Effective Date], by and between:

1. Term of Agreement:

• Effective Dates: This Agreement is effective from [Start Date] to [End Date].
• Extension: The contract may be extended upon mutual written agreement of both parties at least [specify time period, e.g., 60 days] before the end date.

2. Exclusivity: The Artist/Band agrees to record exclusively for the Recording Company during the term of this Agreement within the specified territory.

3. Territory: This Agreement is applicable within the following territory: [Specify geographic territory, e.g., worldwide, North America].

4. Music Recording and Deliverables:

• Music Description: The Artist/Band will record [specify number] of tracks/songs.
• Deliverables: The deliverables include [list deliverables, e.g., master recordings, demo versions, final mixes].

5. Creative Control:

• Cover Art: [Specify who has control, e.g., Artist/Band or Recording Company].
• Song Selection: [Specify who has control].
• Video Concepts: [Specify who has control].
• Other Creative Decisions: [Specify who has control over other relevant types of creative decisions].

6. Obligations of the Recording Company:

• Recording Space: The Recording Company will provide and pay for the recording studio.
• Equipment: The Recording Company will provide the necessary recording equipment and tools.
• Other Materials: The Recording Company will supply [specify any additional materials, e.g., instruments, software].

7. Music Production Timeline:

• Timeline: The recording process will follow this timeline: [Specify timeline].
• Deadlines: All recordings and deliverables must be completed by [Deadline Date].
• Milestones: [Specify any milestones and their dates, e.g., demo submission, final mix].

8. Payment and Fees:

• Price/Hourly Rate:
• Retainer Fee:
• Commission/Royalties: The Artist/Band will receive [specify percentage] of royalties from sales and distribution.
• Advancements: The Recording Company will provide an advance of [specify amount], which will be recouped from future earnings.
• Recoupments: All advances and production costs will be recouped before any additional payments are made to the Artist/Band.
• Calculation: Payments will be calculated as follows: [Specify calculation method].

9. Payment Schedule:

• Payment Methods: Acceptable payment methods include [specify methods, e.g., check, bank transfer].
• Payment Schedule: Payments will be made as follows: [Specify schedule, e.g., monthly, quarterly].

10. Confidentiality: The Artist/Band agrees to maintain the confidentiality of any proprietary information disclosed by the Recording Company during the term of this Agreement.

11. Intellectual Property:

• Ownership: The Recording Company will own the master recordings.
• Copyrights: The Artist/Band retains the copyrights to their compositions.
• Licenses: The Recording Company is granted a license to distribute and promote the music.
• Distribution Rights: The Recording Company has exclusive distribution rights within the specified territory.
• Rights of Use: The Recording Company has the right to use the recordings for promotional purposes.
• Third-Party Restrictions: The Artist/Band may not license the recordings to third parties without the Recording Company's written consent.

12. Amendments: This Agreement may be amended only by a written document signed by both parties. Any changes must be discussed and agreed upon by both parties before they take effect.

13. Termination:

• By Either Party: Either party may terminate this Agreement with [specify notice period, e.g., 30 days] written notice.
• For Cause: Either party may terminate this Agreement immediately if the other party breaches any material provision of this Agreement and fails to cure such breach within [specify period, e.g., 10 days] after receiving written notice of the breach.

14. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law: Any disputes arising under this Agreement shall be resolved through the following procedures:

• Negotiation: The parties will first attempt to resolve the dispute through informal negotiation.
• Mediation: If the dispute cannot be resolved through negotiation, the parties agree to attempt to resolve the dispute through mediation.
• Arbitration: If the dispute is not resolved through mediation, it will be submitted to binding arbitration under the rules of the [specify arbitration association, e.g., American Arbitration Association].
• Governing Law: This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of [specify state].

15. Signatures: By signing below, the parties agree to the terms and conditions outlined in this Music Recording Contract.

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, or agreements, whether written or oral. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.