How do you bid your work if a band calls up and wants to record three songs?
Free to read. Ask your own question — 2 free, no account needed.
Ask a question →AI starter answer — please verify with real-world experience. Awaiting trusted contributor review.
Bidding for a three-song project requires balancing a competitive price with a clear protection of your time. You must transition from a 'price per song' mindset to a 'time plus resources' calculation to ensure you don't lose money if the band is under-prepared.
- 1.Calculate your 'All-In' day rate by totaling your desired hourly wage plus studio overhead, then multiply by the estimated days needed (typically 1 day per song for tracking).
- 2.Define the specific deliverables in the bid, such as '3 High-Res WAV files' and '3 Instrumental stems,' to prevent scope creep later.
- 3.Include a contingency buffer—usually 10-15% of the total cost—to cover unexpected issues like broken drum heads or additional vocal takes.
- 4.Require a non-refundable 50% deposit to lock in the dates on your calendar.
- ×Never offer 'unlimited revisions'; cap them at two rounds per song.
- ×Ensure the client knows that mastering is typically a separate cost and engineer.
- ×Be wary of 'project rates' that don't have a hard expiration date for studio time.
Always separate the 'Studio Rate' from the 'Producer/Engineer Fee.' If the session runs long, you can waive your personal fee to be nice, but the studio clock should never stop ticking.
Based on AI training data — may not reflect current information.
Community Discussion(2)
Note: Most new artists and even some experienced ones, don't really understand the role and separate agreement that is required for production. These days most engineers contribute production, for better or worse, and rarely get compensated or credited for it. If you are hired to produce, be sure to clarify that it is a separate job/agreement. It is based on a per song basis and budget, where the studio time and engineers are usually hourly or at a project rate. The producer helps with the songs and the vision and should get at-least the credit they earn by contributing to the success of the song.
Keep in mind the AI suggested answers are not always the same as a real human might answer, thats the beauty of this site! Please contribute your thoughts!
Set the record straight
Speak from experience. Specifics > opinions. Other working pros may flag it for a correction — that's the point.
Become a trusted contributor
Working engineer, producer, attorney, or tour manager? Apply for a Verified Contributor badge. Your corrections carry weight, your answers get prioritized, and your profile shows up next to the AI summary.