Music and Song Production

Writing a good song is a common goal for both beginners and professionals. Everyone has a unique creative process, but there’s no doubt that having fresh ears to review your ideas, consulting with other musicians, or working with a vocal coach can greatly improve your results. Craig has collaborated with many professional and renown singers and songwriters worldwide. Whether starting from scratch or refining an existing piece, Craig can assist as needed. Paxus offers a full music production suite and recording studio to help turn your song ideas into a polished, mixed, and mastered recording.

The Process

1. Chat

We invite you to the studio, if possible, to discuss your plans. This helps ensure we share the same vision. We’ll review the budget, agree on any copyright splits if needed, and set timelines. We can also listen to any song references or demos you have. Once we understand the project, we’ll ask you to leave it with us to work on.

APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association)

Register your songs with APRA to protect your rights as a songwriter.

If the lyrics or music are created in collaboration with others, it’s important to agree on the percentage split before registering the work.

Paxus may negotiate a songwriting or publishing percentage if we have helped develop the lyrics or music. This can also apply where the production plays a significant creative role in shaping the song’s identity, such as creating distinctive sounds, themes, or musical hooks.

If Paxus is only providing accompaniment, recording, or production services for a fully written and formed song, then ownership and credit should remain solely with the original songwriter(s).

Ownership of the Master Recording

Paxus owns the sound recording until the production is paid for.

Once payment is complete, ownership of the master recording transfers to the client, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

In cases where a reduced upfront fee is agreed in exchange for a percentage of sales, the client receives ownership of the master upon payment of the reduced production fee and studio costs, while Paxus retains standard producer points as backend royalties.

In a full buyout agreement, Paxus has no further claims on the master or royalties once payment is made.

Distribution (DistroKid or Similar Services)

If Paxus has produced the music arrangement and/or mixed the track, we will usually require a small percentage of revenue from downloads and streaming for the life of the track. This is commonly referred to as producer points.

This approach allows us to keep upfront production fees lower. Any revenue split will always be agreed upon at the start of the project.

Most distribution platforms, such as DistroKid, make it easy to apply splits. Simply use the “Splits” feature and enter the email address:

paxusproductions@gmail.com

Royalties and Ownership Explained

There are three separate components that can attract royalties:

1. The Underlying Composition

This refers to the original song itself: the lyrics and music. Ownership usually belongs to the songwriter(s). In some cases, producers or arrangers who contribute significant creative elements may negotiate a share.

2. The Sound Recording

This is the recorded performance of the song. Once paid for in full, you own the recordings made at Paxus, unless otherwise agreed.

3. The Musical Arrangement

The arrangement is a creative work in its own right. If Paxus has arranged or produced the music, this is typically recognised through a percentage share of revenue generated by that version of the song.

Credit

Please credit the producer wherever possible.

A simple credit such as:
“Music produced by Craig Bryant at Paxus Productions” is appreciated.

Tagging Paxus Productions in social media posts also helps us promote the work and support your release