Hiring a composer, Insight, experiences, suggestions Options

[Zortik]

Hi,

I'm looking for some feedback regarding hiring a composer. If at all possible, I'd prefer to leave 'theories' or 'thoughts' outside of this conversation for the sake of building as accurate a baseline as possible.

If you are a composer, or have hired someone to compose music for a game (2-4min loop BGM) please lend a hand with answering some of the following items:

Cost:

• Charge per song?
• Charge for length?
• Charge based on expected delivery of finished product?
• All/any mix of the above?

Time:

• How much time should be considered for composing a single BGM?
• Should their be impact for missed deadlines? If so, how can this be handled?
• What about incentives? Is this something I should avoid for producing quality work ahead of schedule?

Dealing with unsatisfactory results:

• What if the composer makes a song I don't like or feel won't fit my game?
• They continually miss deadlines?
• They want to renegotiate payments or provide the commissioned music to others for free?

Working with multiple composers:

• How should this be handled so they make music that fits the game and sounds good together?
• Should I make them aware that there are other composers working on this project? Or leave them to their own devices?
• Should I enforce that they all get paid the same amount? To prevent backlash about being underpaid or something similar?

[Jonnie19]

If you are a composer, or have hired someone to compose music for a game (2-4min loop BGM) please lend a hand with answering some of the following items:

Cost:

• Charge per song?
• Charge for length?
• Charge based on expected delivery of finished product?
• All/any mix of the above?

I charge £5 per track, that is ANY length at all. I don't charge via hour, because that is dependent on your skill experience, and confidence in the style of piece you write for. For example I can bash out a Horror track in a few minutes, wheras ask me to do a JPop track, it can take me a few weeks. (although that example did include lyrics too )

Time:

• How much time should be considered for composing a single BGM?
• Should their be impact for missed deadlines? If so, how can this be handled?
• What about incentives? Is this something I should avoid for producing quality work ahead of schedule?

It all depends on the complexity of a track, but my personal best is a few hours per BGM, You also have to be aware that writing music can take a while. There isn't a "set time". It can take a few hours or a few weeks, depending on what you request, and what you require.
The incentive is all up to you really, although every penny helps
It all depends on how desperate you need your track, and also how SOON you need it. If you are clear with deadlines than the musician should be able to accommodate for that, and if things aren't going to plan the musician should really get hold of you. let you know how things are doing.

Dealing with unsatisfactory results:

• What if the composer makes a song I don't like or feel won't fit my game?
• They continually miss deadlines?
• They want to renegotiate payments or provide the commissioned music to others for free?

If a song doesn't fit your project. Don't pay for it. Simple as that. It's something that I dislike most of all when writing music, saying they like it, or will use it. Then not using it. It's wasted resources that can be used in other projects, or commissions.
If they miss deadlines, and don't give a decent reason for it. Drop them and hire someone else. However be polite and at least TELL them. Don't just disappear.
Your last point is two different matters. If the commisioned music is MEANT to be for your project, that is BAD form. If you pay for it. It's down to you to give it away for free.
Listen to the terms of negotiations, there may be a good reason why the cost has to change. However, most musicians that I know, don't renegotiate (I only do it in exceptional cases)
It all depends on what you agreed really.

Working with multiple composers:

• How should this be handled so they make music that fits the game and sounds good together?
• Should I make them aware that there are other composers working on this project? Or leave them to their own devices?
• Should I enforce that they all get paid the same amount? To prevent backlash about being underpaid or something similar?

Unless the styles are rather similar...just have one musician. Otherwise quality can drop between the two. If someone asks for less money, that's their problem in my opinion. However, if someone is being paid more. Mention this, if you are willing to cover the costs, it makes the musician feel respected.

This isn't the definitive answer, this is just from my perspective as a musician who does commisions. I've tried to be general in most of my comments, but if you are actually thinking of hiring someone, then it's best to contact the musicians directly. They can answer these questions easier.

[Zortik]

Jonnie19,

Thanks for the feedback This was the sort of information I'm looking for.

I've worked with a friend on this same Forum in the past, and have already sent him a PM. However, I wanted to get some outside input as well to help me with expectations and budgeting. I've already purchased one song from him for a future title that I'll be working on after my current long term project comes to a close.

My intent is to have custom music made for my current project, Classika. I'm estimating that I'll need as many as 30-35 BGM and then another 15-20 custom scene ones.

Also, I intend to make a preview video of the game and request a track be made to fit the video.

So, as you can see, that's a pretty hefty work load. Because of this, I wanted to get more information from the community here. I may need to start a little mini fund raiser amongst my friends and such to afford the entire request. However, it is an end goal that I want to achieve.

I'd still really like to hear other Musicians (Or those who paid for material) feedback. I can't go wrong with more information