FAQ
General Questions
My hours are 10AM to 6PM, Monday through Friday.
During these hours, I’ll be fully focused on bringing your project to life.
Extra work outside of these hours will incur a convenience fee, however, I am willing to make an exception for scheduling recording sessions and rehearsals for the time being.
I’ll never share your songs in a malicious way, but I do share some things on social media and will update my portfolio.
I do reserve the right to share results of the work I do for you on social media, my websites, with publications, and to submit work for awards for my contribution to your music.
Pretty much it means making posts on my socials, BTS content, updating my portfolio, and linking to your music once it’s out.
If you have any secrecy requirements, then please tell me before we work together so we can make sure things work for everyone.
No, I operate remotely most of the time.
Since my equipment needs vary from project to project, I keep a certain amount of equipment and rent a studio in a more furnished studio when it’s needed.
It’s really having higher quality tracking rooms that make the biggest difference and not just audio equipment.
It means I can track the band members individually to save time on logistics or I get them all in one room for a more organic recording.
Right now, it’s email the vast majority of the time. Phone or video calls are only used as needed.
Please don’t text or social dm anything related to your project. I do not keep track of project communications outside of email.
If for any reason, you ghost me for 20 business days at any point during our project, then I will pause your project until we decide on a date to resume work.
Please let me know at least 72 hours before the appointment time.
Usually, I try to be as flexible as possible if I have sufficient notice and I try not to sweat stuff like that. However, if I don’t have notice, then any rescheduling could be done at your expense.
You can find my Terms and Conditions here.
I have summary of some of the most important points on the House Rules page if you are in a rush.
Anyone that wants to work with my team and me, has to agree to these rules. Also, they are updated periodically.
- If I don’t believe I can help you with your goals.
- If I don’t believe the you’re is serious about your career.
- If I don’t believe you’re is ready yet to get started.
- If I believe the we aren’t musically in sync.
- If you’re making music that promotes or condones the killing of black people, abuse of black women, abuse and neglect of children, drug abuse, or any other prominent issue in the black community.
Clarifications On How I Work
You can get work done outside of my operating hours if you pay a convenience fee and I agree to the work.
I sometimes make an exemption for writing and recording sessions, however, the extent to which I do is limited.
It’s at my discretion to work outside of my operating hours and you will be charged a convenience fee if I do any work for you during that time.
Most of the time the answer is yes.
YOUR TEAM: If you want to bring your manager, or label rep, then they are welcome to our meetings and sessions. For writing sessions, only invite people that are going to be co-writers of course.
GUESTS: If you want to invite people that’s not involved in the production to studio sessions, then please clear that with me prior to the session. They are not welcome in any other type of meeting.
Some of the recording studios I use has a limit on how many people can be present at once. Also anyone that impedes the session, meeting, or our ability to work will be asked to leave.
Upon the final payment…
I do not deliver any materials before the payment is completed. You will easily be able to listen and give feedback on your music and the work we do on it though.
I never add any services or do anything that will change the scope/price of the project without an artist’s express permission.
In the case that I believe something is truly needed, we’d have a conversation about how to best go about getting the job done.
We’ll talk it over, and if I agree to it, then we’ll adjust our plan.
For additional services, I’ll make sure it’s doable and reasonable for you goals while also considering the time my other clients need before getting to work.
Your investment and schedule will be adjusted accordingly.
Just let me know and we can put things on the breaks. I understand that life happens which can make building a music career complicated.
It’s perfectly okay to halt production with me. However, please communicate ASAP if something like this even becomes a possibility.
Just note, I reserve the right to terminate a project that is suspended longer than 60 business days. Resuming work is subject to my availability.
Though, usually I won’t do that unless the project is going nowhere or you’re not taking action on your end to move things forward.
If we find ourselves in the unfortunate scenario where we have to stop a project, then let me know ASAP — preferably before the issue gets that far.
Please talk to me before you make up your mind, so we can try to find a solution that works for you.
You’ll get what you have already paid for, and anything that isn’t paid for or finished will be aborted. Any payments made up until that point will be forfeit though.
Yes! You will get to read it once we know you’re ready to start.
Until then, be sure to read the T&C if you’re serious about working together. My services have different agreements, but they all reference my T&C.
I have different services that use different agreements and they all just reference the T&C
Instead of making every contract ridiculously long, I make my policies public so you can read them at any time.
You can read it here: https://www.philomathstudios.com/terms-and-conditions/
Clarifications On Your Investment
Everything is online. Both debit and credit are acceptable forms of payment.
The exact payment schedule depends on what you’re coming to me for.
I use Stripe as my payment processor, which protects the you during transactions.
Yep.
No project or work in general will begin without a deposit.
I’ll issue a partial refund if I fail to do both of these things:
- Failing to stick to the project timeline;
- Failing to communicate any issues that could interfere with my ability to stick to said timeline.
The partial refund is determined by how much work I did, who else I hired to aid in the production of your music, and the amounts the artist has paid until that point.
In any other case, there are no refunds available. But, I’m here to help you in any way I can, so if you have any concerns or refund requests, just let me know!
Yes, for production and writing.
The split I will take will be based on how I serve you as a producer.
I don’t co-write or write as a work-for-hire. Those cases result in my being a co-owner of the composition.
I’m open to producing just for the fee — note that usually means the fee is somewhat higher and is judged on a case-by-case basis.
I understand that the conversation can make people uncomfortable, but it’s best to discuss have a discussion about these things as early as possible.
I don’t have a set rate because every project is different and every artist has different needs.
I never run a bloated budget and I always try to run with the leanest crew that’s appropriate for what the music calls for.
If you’re not interested in one of my programs, then the best way to get an idea of what you might invest by working with me is to reach out to me with a clear idea of what you want.
In this case, please hit me up as soon as you foresee any difficulty making a payment and we can possibly work out an alternative schedule.
Either way, I’m not able to continue working nor will I be able to deliver files until the full payment is received.
It’s the price of extra services beyond our agreement or beyond my normal hours.
The prices are quote only since there are a variety of extra services you might want.
A convenience fee won’t be added to your invoice or billed directly until I inform you of the price of the extra service. You will always have the opportunity to accept or deny the convenience fee and service.
Clarifications On My Production Process
That’s the case for some of my services.
I almost always cover mixing and recording in addition to producing your music.
If we’re working 100% remote, I’ll either point you to reputable studio or show you how to record yourself if the job is simple.
I don’t charge for mastering my own mixes, but I’d prefer if there was room in the budget for me to hire a mastering engineer.
Our preproduction will be remote unless we have a reason to meet in person.
We’ll use Sessionwire for this which will save money on studio time. When we meet in person, it could be for the following reasons:
- A rehearsal for your band or the band I’m putting together for you.
- Meeting with any other team members I gather for your project (e.g. vocal coach).
- We have extra time on our hands and we can.
Yes, I do. Here’s a the ways I do so…
1. For the Indie Creator’s Program, co-writing is included by default because the value I can bring to you in the program is greatly hinged on my ability as a writer.
2. If I’m creating the track, then I’m approaching it as a co-writer.
Other times, I will help complete an “almost-ready” song, through coaching rather than being a co-writer (that’s not for the ICP).
If you don’t want help with any songwriting, then I need to be sure that your songs are absolutely ready before we work together.
I have services that specifically don’t involve writing.
If I know there’s nothing I can do to help as a writer, then I will serve the music in other ways.
Otherwise, I won’t take you as a client.
Yes, for certain situations…
Currently, my personal studio isn’t open to in-person sessions with clients. If I need live feedback then, I’ll schedule a video call via Sessionwire.
For editing, I have no issues with you virtually sitting in on the condition that (1) you can work with my schedule and (2) you don’t slow me down or unnecessarily interrupt me while working. For mixing it’s the same things, but I don’t do live feedback after the initial stages of the mix.
Most of the time the answer is yes.
YOUR TEAM: If you want to bring your manager, or label rep, then they are welcome to our meetings and sessions. For writing sessions, please nly invite people that are going to be co-writers of course.
GUESTS: If you want to invite people that’s not involved in the production to studio sessions, then please clear that with me prior to the session. They are not welcome in any other type of meeting.
Some of the recording studios I use has a limit on how many people can be present at once. Also anyone that impedes the session, meeting, or our ability to work will be asked to leave.
You get three rounds of edit and mix revisions at the start of any project. I use tools to make sending revisions in much easier and quicker.
Sessionwire is used for live, remote feedback and Boombox.io is used to collect revisions asynchronously. Both are free and available to everyone.
Asynchronous revisions are the primary way you get revisions because I only do live revision sessions when there’s a lack of clarity or when I’m doing the final mix print.
If you delay sending me feedback, then the schedule of deadlines of the any project can and will be changed accordingly.
Yes! I hire take care of hiring and directing the session musicians.
Most of the musicians I call will be people I have worked with for awhile and I will be able to predict how long they need to do what needs done.
That means no guess work with prices or surprises when you see your invoice!
I’m almost always cool with you bringing your musicians too, but I will have to make sure they are prepared. If not, then we’ll be spending more time in prepro until they’re ready.
Otherwise, we can end up wasting money in the studio.
In addition to your standard mix, you’ll get an instrumental mix, a TV mix (no lead vocal), and clean versions of your standard and TV mix if applicable.
Stems aren’t delivered until after the songs are mastered unless a song is slated for a sync placement. ATMOS mixes will be for an extra fee.
Questions About The Indie Creator's Program
Most of the differences are in the Pre-Production phase (the most important) and how it affects the rest of the project.
UNCUT ARTIST PACKAGE: While you work on the lyrics, I’ll write the instrumental and direct the band I put together for you.
LIVE REVAMP PACKAGE: I’ll re-arrange your previously released songs, put a band together for you.
With either of the packages, you’ll get a smooth recording experience and post-production that brings your vision to life.
No, but each package is designed to be molded to the plethora of circumstances that an artist brings to the table.
At the core of is ICP is a flexible framework designed to adapt to your unique circumstances.
Before we begin, we’ll connect and discuss your situation and goals in-depth. From there, I’ll craft a plan that meets your specific needs and desires while keeping in mind the overarching goals of the package.
While you won’t be able to pick and choose individual components, rest assured that the package will be tailored to suit you.
Yep, that’s the point.
The Indie Creator’s Program is designed to relieve you of your burdens. To do that, I need to be very hands-on with the project.
If that’s not the type of producer-relationship you want, then it’s all good! Consider one of my other services where I’m less hands-on.
I’ll always say yes to 1 or 2 of your favorite musicians, but unfortunately the ICP doesn’t use outside bands.
Bringing in an outside band kind of kills one of the benefits of the ICP which is the combination of my process and musicians who have experience working with me.
If you want to work with your band, then my Co-Production package for bands would be your best bet!
No problem! While the price of any ICP package remains the same, you have the freedom to opt-out of certain components that don’t align with your interests.
The Indie Creator’s Program is thoughtfully crafted to alleviate the stress of music production and artist development.
I only take on a select few artists at a time to ensure personalized attention and care.
That’s why the price reflects attention and service that you deserve.
Questions About Me
I use my approach to music to find unique ways to amplify what you’re already doing with your music. My goal is to find ways to push you into a fulfilling, new space artistically.
If I describe it — I base my entire approach to music through the lens of jazz. That’s where my roots are. What I’ve done with that, is figure out where jazz meets R&B and Hip-Hop… and trust me when I say there are more intersections than most realize.
What I absolutely won’t do, is let my tastes supersede your vision or push you in an uncomfortable direction artistically.
I’d love to work you if you:
- are musically curious and explorative
- possess integrity and a drive to grow
- are an exceptional at his or her craft
- need a partner to help you bring your vision to life
- believe that we all must grow on our own to prosper together
Music and media have consistently promoted a damaging image of black Americans — both to our culture and reputation. I refuse to support that.
If your music is about nothing more than condoning or promoting violence, the abuse/neglect of women and children, wanton sex or drug use, and/or damaging to black people and culture, then please look elsewhere.