EntertainmentContracts.com
Home/Music/Music Producer Agreement

Music Producer Agreement

For an artist hiring a producer to create or co-produce tracks — covers production fees, royalty points, publishing splits, credit obligations, and who owns the recordings.

Drafted by a Harvard Law entertainment attorney.

More about this contract

How would you like this contract?

Pick an option to continue.

$50

Custom Contract

Answer a few guided questions and we'll create your contract with your answers built in. E-sign or download when you're done.

Answer a few questions

About 2 to 5 minutes

$50

Editable Template

Download a blank version in Word or PDF that you fill out yourself. Every spot to fill is highlighted in yellow.

Get the blank template

Download instantly

Is this the right contract for your production?

This contract is built for an artist or label hiring a producer to create recordings. It fits deals where the producer is paid a fee, royalty points, or both, and where both sides want credit, ownership of the work, delivery of files, and any publishing share set out before the producer starts.

Good fit for

  • Artists hiring a producer for recordings
  • Labels engaging a producer for a project
  • Producers and beatmakers being hired for work
  • Deals with a fee, royalty points, or both
  • Anyone setting credit and ownership of the recording

You may also need

Before you start

It helps to have these details on hand before you create your contract:

  • Artist or label name and producer name
  • What the producer will deliver
  • The producer fee and any royalty points
  • Whether the producer shares in publishing
  • Who owns the master recording
  • How the producer is credited
  • What files and stems must be delivered
  • Any approval rights over the work

What's Inside This Contract

Production services

Describes the work the producer will do and what is delivered.

Compensation

Sets the producer fee, any royalty points, and publishing share.

Grant of rights

Defines who owns the recording and the rights granted.

Representations and warranties

Each side confirms it has the right to enter the deal.

Termination

Explains how and when the agreement can end.

Disputes and general provisions

Covers standard terms such as notices, how disputes are handled, and signatures.

Points Worth Negotiating

  • The producer fee and any royalty points
  • Whether the producer shares in publishing
  • Who owns the master recording
  • How the producer is credited
  • What files and stems must be delivered

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a music producer agreement?
It is an agreement to hire a producer, setting the fee, any royalty points, publishing share, credit, and who owns the finished recording.
Who should sign it?
The artist or label and the producer both sign. The signatures confirm the fee, any points, credit, and who owns the recording.
What are producer points?
Points are a percentage of recording royalties paid to the producer, typically a few points of the artist's royalty, on top of or instead of a flat fee.
Who owns the recording the producer makes?
Whoever the parties negotiate. Most deals give ownership of the master to the artist or label, with the producer paid a fee and points, stated clearly in the agreement.
Does a producer get publishing?
Only if the producer contributes to the composition. In that case they receive a writing or publishing share, recorded in writing.
How is this different from a beat license?
A producer agreement covers a producer creating new recordings for you. A Beat License lets you use a pre-made beat the producer already made, with set usage terms.
Should I choose the custom contract or the editable template?
Choose the custom contract to answer a few questions and have it filled in for you. Choose the editable template if you prefer a blank version with labeled fields to complete yourself.
What are common warning signs in a music producer agreement?

These are common issues to watch for in any music producer agreement:

  • Unclear ownership of the recording
  • No clear royalty or points terms
  • Missing credit terms
  • No delivery of stems or project files
  • Vague description of the work
Create Your ContractBrowse all Music Contracts