If you have a flair for recording and understand music production, you could offer your services and get paid for it. But how much should you charge? Here are some guidelines.
While there is no direct answer for this question, as it depends on several factors including your geographical location, here are some guidelines.
- How much is the client willing to pay.
- How desperate you are for the work, and gain some experience.
- What is the minimum value you place upon your time?
- What sort of equipment you will use for the job.
As a beginner/novice, any amount of money you get is a bonus. However, if you’re planning to do this full time, you will need to give some thought to how much you should charge.
If you’re into this full time, you will also need to consider the following:
- Have you taken the studio on rent
- How much have you spent on the recording gear.
- You will need to regularly invest in fresh sounds/libraries and gear
- You need to pay a fixed salary to your assistants.
One way to calculate your hourly rate is:
- Decide how much you want to be paid in a year/month.
- Work out the number of hours that you intend to put in a month/year
- From the above, you should be able to derive your hourly rate.
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
Sid says
So, today a Post Producer called me for a dub where he offered 20k for Perpetuity across mediums and edits! Who in God’s name is soooooooo lacking in talent/ believe that they lack talent/believe that they are pathetic pieces of shit being offered money that they would do this? I’m watching this space you filthy disgraces to the profession! I think we all know who u are…just that we were brought up differently and have some sense of ethics! Glad to know I won’t be alive long enough to be part of the industry or India currently being created!
Clarification: I am NOT judging those whose circumstances are such that to work for a pittance is the ONLY option. But yes, I will definitely judge those who CAN demand, ARE in demand and yet choose to shamelessly pander to any demand simply because of their lack of scruples and disrespect to the profession and their colleagues!
keytarhq says
Its happening with every artists. The conversation starts with whatever medium it is for and budget is less. I think there is no point getting angry about it because these people will always find someone to do at this rate. One artist will say no other 5 are ready to do the job. How are you gonna stop them?
It’s an open and a free world and everyone’s free to value themselves as they deem fit. Never believed that people come or go away from me because of how expensive or cheap I am. I have a certain talent. If you want it, pay for it. Those who charge lesser than me, didn’t make my career, and they sure as hell aren’t breaking it. If you can’t afford me cos the 22 year old is charging less than half of me? Great… go to him, I’ll get back to becoming a better musician.