[HELP PLEASE] What to price your beats

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[HELP PLEASE] What to price your beats
Posted on: 07.05.2013 by Cortney Chanson
Hey everyone! I have produced some beats and there is this guy who wants to buy one.
Since it's my very first beat I'm selling exclusively to him and to him only, I do not have ANY idea what to price.
Can you guys help me? All help is appreciated!
Janell Selser
10.05.2013
Originally Posted by Numbox
I do know the samples i used. And the bass is a sample from Killing joke, which i am good friends with. Do i really need permission for the drum samples? They are basic drum samples which every hip hop head uses. But yes i am gonna put that in the contract
Everything you sample by an artist that can be recognized needs to be cleared with the originator. You wouldn't of had a problem back in 89 but things changed in the 90's.

Here's part 1 of a documentary on the subject. This movie also focuses a lot on your particular drum sample.



Your Samples:



Janell Selser
09.05.2013
Originally Posted by Numbox
What are you talking about?
Do you not know the samples you used to create that beat? You can't just sample and sell other peoples work without paying them for it anymore. But like someone already said you just put that in the contract I suppose and it's up to them to clear the samples.
Cortney Chanson
09.05.2013
Originally Posted by Karlos Santos
That track is begging for some scratching over the top.
I know right?
Cortney Chanson
09.05.2013
Originally Posted by Tha Gooch
Not to rain on your parade but can you really sell a beat that is just Funky Drummer by James Brown and Bam Bam by Sister Nancy? After paying royalties you wouldn't be looking at much.
What are you talking about?
Christiana Ercolani
09.05.2013
Originally Posted by Tha Gooch
Not to rain on your parade but can you really sell a beat that is just Funky Drummer by James Brown and Bam Bam by Sister Nancy? After paying royalties you wouldn't be looking at much.
In my contracts, I made sure to mention that the artist or label would be fully responsible for covering any sample clearance fees. I would just have to provide the artist/song/label that I sampled from.
Romelia Stankard
09.05.2013
Originally Posted by botstein
No, $500 is too little.
what? I would love to hear a first time 'beat' that is worth anywhere near $500.

Hell you can buy remixes from producers with semi well known names for $500.

And like it or not there are ghostwriting dance music services that charge $400-$500 flat rate that do this professionally all the time.
Cortney Chanson
10.05.2013		Thank you, that video was really interesting. It's just sad. I love sampled hip hop a lot more than the hip hop that is made in midi or on a drummachine, but being afraid of getting sued really is scary.
Janell Selser
10.05.2013
Originally Posted by Numbox
I do know the samples i used. And the bass is a sample from Killing joke, which i am good friends with. Do i really need permission for the drum samples? They are basic drum samples which every hip hop head uses. But yes i am gonna put that in the contract
Everything you sample by an artist that can be recognized needs to be cleared with the originator. You wouldn't of had a problem back in 89 but things changed in the 90's.

Here's part 1 of a documentary on the subject. This movie also focuses a lot on your particular drum sample.



Your Samples:



Cortney Chanson
10.05.2013		I do know the samples i used. And the bass is a sample from Killing joke, which i am good friends with. Do i really need permission for the drum samples? They are basic drum samples which every hip hop head uses. But yes i am gonna put that in the contract
Janell Selser
09.05.2013
Originally Posted by Numbox
What are you talking about?
Do you not know the samples you used to create that beat? You can't just sample and sell other peoples work without paying them for it anymore. But like someone already said you just put that in the contract I suppose and it's up to them to clear the samples.
Cortney Chanson
09.05.2013
Originally Posted by Karlos Santos
That track is begging for some scratching over the top.
I know right?
Cortney Chanson
09.05.2013
Originally Posted by Tha Gooch
Not to rain on your parade but can you really sell a beat that is just Funky Drummer by James Brown and Bam Bam by Sister Nancy? After paying royalties you wouldn't be looking at much.
What are you talking about?
nayit ruiz jaramillo
10.05.2013		That track is begging for some scratching over the top.
Christiana Ercolani
09.05.2013
Originally Posted by Tha Gooch
Not to rain on your parade but can you really sell a beat that is just Funky Drummer by James Brown and Bam Bam by Sister Nancy? After paying royalties you wouldn't be looking at much.
In my contracts, I made sure to mention that the artist or label would be fully responsible for covering any sample clearance fees. I would just have to provide the artist/song/label that I sampled from.
Romelia Stankard
09.05.2013
Originally Posted by botstein
No, $500 is too little.
what? I would love to hear a first time 'beat' that is worth anywhere near $500.

Hell you can buy remixes from producers with semi well known names for $500.

And like it or not there are ghostwriting dance music services that charge $400-$500 flat rate that do this professionally all the time.
Janell Selser
09.05.2013		Not to rain on your parade but can you really sell a beat that is just Funky Drummer by James Brown and Bam Bam by Sister Nancy? After paying royalties you wouldn't be looking at much.
Cortney Chanson
09.05.2013		So what most of you guys are saying is that i shouldn't sell the beat, but license it to him and then collect on royalties?
Joesph Kasian
09.05.2013
Originally Posted by botstein
No, $500 is too little.
Just stop, you sound like a fool - you are confusing the kid who's asking for advice with silly comments like this.

$500 is far too much if this is your first beat and your starting out.

It works 2 ways;

1) you sell him the beat and it becomes his property. No matter what he makes you never get anything from it.
2) you license the beat to him and have a share of the money it makes, giving you credit.

You make no money at first from the first option, but maybe in the long term depending on if the track sells and if you have a good publisher.

This option will also help get your name out there more as people will see you on his track and hopefully other people will approach you for beats because of it.
Joesph Kasian
09.05.2013
Originally Posted by djmetalgear
lol... trust....

youve got alot to learn kid.
hahahaha now this I agree with - do not trust anyone ever, especially in business.
Christiana Ercolani
09.05.2013
Originally Posted by Numbox
But how do i know when he's released 1000 of the track? Does he have to sign something?
I'm only 16, I don't know about other people but 500 bucks is a lot for me haha Not saying i wouldn't want that kind of money, I'm more believeing that it's a lot too for the guy.
You don't know. But honestly, what it does is save you from the event that he goes HUGE with the song. Then you have a contract to cover your ass.
Cortney Chanson
09.05.2013
Originally Posted by Nicky H
If it was me I would believe about what the guy is going to do with it and base it around that.

If it's not gonna be commercially successful then there will be a limit to how much they will pay - what do you believe they will do with the track?

Plus if you charge a fair rate then they might want some more doing/pass on more work.

Like you said it's your first time selling so don't be greedy is my advice and hopefully more will come.

Make sure you get producer credits though, just in case it blows up.


edit: nice beats
Thank you! First I will pay for copyright then i will contact him.

You all have my deepest respect. Thanks!
Janyce Henningson
09.05.2013		If it was me I would believe about what the guy is going to do with it and base it around that.

If it's not gonna be commercially successful then there will be a limit to how much they will pay - what do you believe they will do with the track?

Plus if you charge a fair rate then they might want some more doing/pass on more work.

Like you said it's your first time selling so don't be greedy is my advice and hopefully more will come.

Make sure you get producer credits though, just in case it blows up.


edit: nice beats
Cortney Chanson
09.05.2013
Originally Posted by botstein
No, $500 is too little.
It is too little? :O Even for my very first beat? And to a guy who is very underground and probably won't sell much off the beat?
Ervin Calvery
08.05.2013
Originally Posted by Numbox
Sounds like a nice template to have. Thank you!
Though won't $500 be a lot for selling my very first beat? What do you suggest? I can link the soundcloud to the beat if you want
No, $500 is too little.
Cortney Chanson
08.05.2013		https://soundcloud.com/antonsherar Here is my soundcloud
It's the track called "To Each His Own" in the top ! (watermarked ofc)
Cortney Chanson
08.05.2013
Originally Posted by elmgroove
I actually thought it was a little low. But you're giving away your rights to something you created, and plus, this'll allow you to gauge how serious this guy's plans are. For the ordinary Joe Schmo, $50 for 1000 releases is usually good enough.
But how do i know when he's released 1000 of the track? Does he have to sign something?
I'm only 16, I don't know about other people but 500 bucks is a lot for me haha Not saying i wouldn't want that kind of money, I'm more believeing that it's a lot too for the guy.
Dedra Kreinbring
08.05.2013		Could you link the soundcloud beat anyway? I am just intrigued and bored studying
Christiana Ercolani
08.05.2013
Originally Posted by Numbox
Sounds like a nice template to have. Thank you!
Though won't $500 be a lot for selling my very first beat? What do you suggest? I can link the soundcloud to the beat if you want
I actually thought it was a little low. But you're giving away your rights to something you created, and plus, this'll allow you to gauge how serious this guy's plans are. For the ordinary Joe Schmo, $50 for 1000 releases is usually good enough.
Cortney Chanson
08.05.2013
Originally Posted by elmgroove
I produced and sold hip-hop beats for 10 years. You want to give buyers two options: licensing rights and exclusive rights.

With option 1, licensing, I would charge $50 and allow them to use the beat for up to 1000 profitable releases. Any more than that, and they would need to buy another license. You retain full rights in this instance.

With option 2, exclusive, I would charge $500 and they would be able to use the beat for unlimited profitable releases. I'm also selling my rights to the beat, but keeping production credits, and I also specify royalty percentages, and other things along those lines.
Sounds like a nice template to have. Thank you!
Though won't $500 be a lot for selling my very first beat? What do you suggest? I can link the soundcloud to the beat if you want
Christiana Ercolani
08.05.2013		I produced and sold hip-hop beats for 10 years. You want to give buyers two options: licensing rights and exclusive rights.

With option 1, licensing, I would charge $50 and allow them to use the beat for up to 1000 profitable releases. Any more than that, and they would need to buy another license. You retain full rights in this instance.

With option 2, exclusive, I would charge $500 and they would be able to use the beat for unlimited profitable releases. I'm also selling my rights to the beat, but keeping production credits, and I also specify royalty percentages, and other things along those lines.
Yu Santellano
08.05.2013		I'm going to come right out and say what the main issue you need to understand is, and that's the difference between "selling" him the track, and "licensing" him the track. I won't go any further into it because I don't want to be in a position where it looks like I'm giving advice, but that's what you need to research.
Cortney Chanson
07.05.2013		Haha okay maybe trust wasn't the right word :P Thank you for looking into it for me! I will make sure that he signs a contract. Thank you people!!!
Ervin Calvery
07.05.2013		There is apparently a Danish performance rights organisation called KODA (KODA.dk).

You must make the person sign a contract.

Definitely make sure that you are credited and don't make a deal that isn't financially responsible.
Meaghan Machold
07.05.2013
Originally Posted by Numbox
I am gonna tell him that he should give me credit for producing the beat. And i believe that he will go for that. I trust him.
lol... trust....

youve got alot to learn kid.
Cortney Chanson
07.05.2013		I am gonna tell him that he should give me credit for producing the beat. And i believe that he will go for that. I trust him.
Emelina Paglia
07.05.2013		The guy will buy your track, but will not give you credit for it, right?

EDIT: I'm pretty sure that's what he's doing. You can't copyright it, it will be his property once he buys it off you. The song won't belong to you anymore and he does not have to give you credit for it. No one will ever know you produced it.
Cortney Chanson
07.05.2013		Again, thank you man! I will read more into it. Thank you!
Yu Santellano
07.05.2013		You need to get some proper intellectual property advice on this, as it involves things such as royalties, licensing, and copyrights. Get a good book on the subject and read it. Don't rush into anything, you don't just "sell" rights to beats overevening . That's a great way for things to go pear shaped. You need proper advice on the matter.
Cortney Chanson
07.05.2013		http://www.ncb.dk/index.html Do you believe this would be the one for Denmark?
Sydney Lashway
07.05.2013		Different countries different rules. the States have ASCAP, in Canada we have CMPA. You'll have to do some research to find which one is applicable to you.

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