[davidd]

Thanks @Tbone, that’s a good point. It’s agonizing because I don’t want to give up license fees, but I could really use $2000 to buy the Native Instruments Komplete. I sorely need some great sample instruments to keep producing a diverse amount of music. Decisions decision!

[davidd]

@kiwi Thanks for the response. These guys demo and pull library tracks for national ads regularly, which is concerning because it means I could end up competing against my own library tracks next time they call me for a demo. That said, most of the cues I’m giving them are electronic / hip hop / dubstep and aggressive to the point that they’d be unlikely to make it in a major ad campaign. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense to go for the buy out in the interest of greater back end…

[davidd]

Thanks Michael, it’s very helpful to hear from those with more experience than myself. Anyone else care to chime in? I need to make a decision ASAP!

[davidd]

It might be important to note that they are admined through Downtown Music Publishing, for whatever that’s worth.

[davidd]

Thanks for the reply MichaelL. $200 per track with sync fees sounds pretty reasonable. I wish I could take an upfront payment and keep sync fees as well.

The company gets lots of placements in cable tv and is building a reputation as a cutting edge publishing and production company that deals in my style of music. Their writers have written and produced for some major pop and indie artists (Kylie Minogue, Diplo, Charlie XCX), and have landed some massive TV spots and high profile video game placements, so my ultimate goal would be to sign on as a writer.

So it’s not a matter of “do I sign or do I not sign”. It’s more a matter of “do I take the $2000 buyout and forego sync fees”, which is what they originally offered, or “do I take $0 buyout and keep 50% of sync fees”. Unfortunately I don’t know how much the sync fees usually are. I will ask and get back to you. In the meantime, would love to hear other’s opinions.

[Author]

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