Legal wording · example
1Fee
The Label/Artist shall pay the Producer a fee of [amount], [50%] on signature and [50%] on delivery and acceptance of the Masters.
Client work · Template
Music producer agreement template (Plain English)
A music producer agreement sets the producer’s fee, credits and any royalty share, and who owns the master and stems. Describe your deal in a sentence and Lex drafts it, with Plain English beside every clause.
Last updated 28 October 2026
TL;DR
A music producer agreement sets the producer’s fee, credits and any royalty share, and who owns the master and stems. Draft with Lex, share one link, and both sides redline, agree and e-sign. The other side never pays.
Draft this with Lex
Free for the other sideLex drafts it in Plain English beside the legal wording. Share one link; both sides agree and sign.
What is a music producer agreement?
A music producer agreement is the contract for producing a recording. It covers the producer’s fee versus any royalty (“points”), who owns the master and stems, how credits are given, delivery and approval, and who clears samples. For UK‑first projects it also states how any royalties are collected alongside the artist’s and label’s arrangements.
Also called: producer agreement, record production agreement, music producer contract, record producer agreement.
What are you deciding in a music producer agreement?
- Producer fee only, or fee plus royalty points on the master
- Who owns the master and stems, and when ownership passes
- Producer credit line and approval of final mixes
- How sample clearance is handled and who is responsible
- How royalties are paid and through whom (UK: PPL/PRS roles)
What clauses does a music producer agreement usually include?
Example wording Lex starts from, with what each clause means. Your draft is written around your deal, so the wording changes with it.
Legal wording · example
2Royalty
In addition to the Fee, the Producer will receive a royalty of [x]% of the Label’s share of net receipts from exploitation of the Master(s), accounted [semi‑annually], after recoupment.
In Plain English
Optional points on the master, paid from the label’s share after costs.
Legal wording · example
3Ownership of masters and stems
The Producer assigns to the Label all rights in the Masters on receipt of full payment. The Producer licenceA licence is permission to use work in an agreed way, without taking ownership away from the person who made it.More in the glossary the Stems for use only to create the Masters and approved Remixes.
In Plain English
The label owns the masters once paid; stems are licensed for limited use.
How this clause works →Legal wording · example
4Credits
The Producer will be credited as “Producer: [Name]” in metadata and wherever credits customarily appear, where technically feasible.
In Plain English
A named producer credit appears where credits are shown.
Legal wording · example
5Sample clearance
The Label/Artist is responsible for clearing any samples requested by the Label/Artist. The Producer will not incorporate third‑party samples unless instructed in writing.
In Plain English
Whoever asks for a sample clears it; do not add samples without written approval.
Legal wording · example
6Delivery and acceptance
The Producer will deliver the Masters and Stems by [date]. The Label/Artist has [10] days to accept or list defects to be remedied.
In Plain English
A deadline and a short acceptance window keep delivery moving.
How this clause works →Does the law where you are change a music producer agreement?
The governing lawGoverning law is the legal system the parties choose to interpret their contract and decide disputes about it.More in the glossary clause decides which legal system reads the contract. Some rules, such as how documents are signed, time limits for claims and terms that cannot be excluded, differ by place. These pages cite the legislation:
No jurisdictionJurisdiction is which courts will hear a dispute if the parties cannot agree.More in the glossary pages yet for this type.
Versions by jurisdiction
No jurisdiction versions yet. Lex can still draft this type under a named law from the composer above. See law by country.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a music producer agreement file to download?
No, there is no blank Word or PDF file. You describe the deal in a sentence, Lex drafts the music producer agreement with your details already in it, and you share one link. The other side reads it in Plain English, suggests changes and signs in the browser, free.
Who owns the master recording?
Commonly the label or the artist commissioning the work owns the master once the agreed fee is paid. The producer keeps underlying know‑how and may license stems for agreed uses (for example approved remixes). Write down who owns what and when.
What are producer points?
Points are a royalty on income from the master, usually a small percentage of the label’s share, paid after costs are recouped. Some deals are fee‑only. If points apply, say the % base, recoupment and accounting periods.
Do producers get PRS or PPL royalties in the UK?
Roles differ. PRS for Music collects song (composition) royalties for writers/publishers; PPL collects neighbouring rights for performers/recordings. A producer’s royalty on the master is a contractual share, not PRS. PPL credits may apply if the producer is credited as a performer or eligible producer under PPL rules. Sources: PRS for Music; PPL; gov.uk; Musicians’ Union.
Who handles sample clearance?
State who is responsible. Often the label/artist clears samples it requests. If the producer sources a sample, the agreement should say who clears and pays for it, or forbid unapproved samples.
Should the producer deliver stems?
If stems are required, list formats and delivery, and say how they can be used. Many producers license stems for creating the agreed master and remixes, not for unrestricted redistribution.
Can the producer use the track in a showreel?
Many agreements allow reasonable self‑promotion after release, while keeping unreleased material confidential. If release is delayed, say when showreel use starts.
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The legal wording governsLast reviewed 28 October 2026Pending lawyer review