Andrew Bates Music Publishing Service FAQ
Frequently asked questions
If you have a question about the publishing service, please have a look for your answer in our FAQ first, if you cannot find an answer for your question contact Andrew at andrew@thinkmedimausic.com
Publishing questions
Q. What do I need to do to get my music published?
- For your music to be published there are five basic steps:
Sign up with Thinkmediamusic Ltd
Sign the ABMP publishing agreement
Become a writer member of PRS - then tell us your PRS CAE number
Send us your music on CD audio (preferably good to high quality - we cannot be held responsible for the quality of your music, and we won't be able to improve its quality if it is in a poor state to begin with!)
Pay the appropriate funds - according to how many tracks you would like published, funds are paid at the same time your CD is submitted
We will also need you to send track details and an assignment sheet - a form in which you agree to assign the copyright of your music to Thinkmediamusic for the duration of your contract (see ABMP agreement and TMM contract for details on these requirements)
Q. How will I know that my music has been published?
- I can give you login access to the Thinkmediamusic online library, where you will be able to view/download your material. Also your music will be available on the stores of the various distributors involved (usually within 4 to 6 weeks)
Q. How long will it take to get my music published?
- As soon as we have received your funds the turnaround time is estimated at 1 to 2 weeks, with a further 4 weeks on average for its release on itunes, we cannot guarantee a timeframe as it would depend on workload and number of tracks etc
Q. How long is a contract and publishing agreement with TMM?
- Your contract with us will last for 5 years, the publishing agreement runs alongside it and also lasts 5 years
Q. When do I pay for my music to be published?
- As soon as we receive your submitted music, we ask you to send your payment with your submitted music.
Q. How can I pay for my music to be published?
- We receive your fee by either cheque, via paypal or direct payment into the ABMP account (check ABMP page for details)
Q. What happens if my music is rejected, or I decide I don't want it published, do I get my money back?
- If we choose to reject your music, or if you decide to cancel your submission, we will refund your money within 7 days from the day we receive your funds, if you cancel your submission after this time (beginning the 8th day after the funds have been received) you will not receive a refund.
PRS questions
Q. What is PRS?
- PRS stands for the 'Performing Right Society', this is a body that licenses music, and acts on your behalf to track your music worldwide and to pay you royalties whenever your music is performed (on a TV show, film, advert etc)
Q. How do I become a PRS member?
- You will need to pay a one off fee and apply, check out www.prsformusic.com for all you need to know.
Q. What is a PRS CAE number?
- This is a number issued by PRS upon you becoming a member, it is used to identify your registered music with your member account.
Q. Can you guarantee my music will be placed in a production?
- No we cannot guarantee that, you will get alot of exposure for your music though, through our website and via online distributors (itunes etc)
Copyright questions
Q. I may have used a sample in my music that is copyright protected, who is responsible for that?
- You would be, we are not liable for any copyright infringements, make sure before you submit a piece of music that you have the right to copy and distribute it.
Distribution and payment
Q. Where will my music be distributed?
- We send your music through our aggregator AWAL, they have a comprehensive list of all the distributors www.awal.com
Q. When do I get paid?
- We receive online distribution payments quarterly per year for download sales, your download data will be processed to determine how much is yours and you will receive payment as soon as possible after being calculated. Please note we pay when your total amount is equal to or exceeds £20 per quarter, if it falls short of that amount it will be carried over to the next quarter and keep getting carried over until it equals or exceeds £20.
PRS will pay each artist their agreed percentage directly for performance royalties, TMM is not responsible for this payment, for any questions contact www.prsformusic.com
Music submission questions
Q. How many tracks can I submit at any one time?
- Between 6 and 30, unfortunately we will not process albums smaller or larger than those amounts, however you can submit other sets of tracks as individual albums within those amounts, for example 2 albums of 30 tracks would be fine.
Q. Can I submit 1 track?
- Unfortunately we will only process albums no smaller in size than 6 tracks, if you send a CD of only 5 tracks or less it will be rejected.
Optional service (album cover and reverbnation) questions
Q. I'm not happy with the album cover design, can I reject it?
- If you don't like our design you don't have to use it, but if you ask us to create one we will still charge you our rate for it. If you cancel your request within 7 days of funds being received you will get a full refund, I will begin work 7 days after funds have been received, if you cancel your request after that time you will not be entitled to a refund.
Q. Do I have to have an album cover or reverbnation profile?
- No, ABMP will provide a basic cover at no extra cost (see publishing optional extras for details), you do not have to have a reverbnation profile, its just an extra to help your music get exposed.
Q. I chose the reverbnation profile build option but I don't like it/want it
- If you appoint us to build you a reverbnation profile you are responsible to pay, if we are in the process of building it, we will terminate it at your request, or if it is already built we can delete your account for you. If you cancel your request within 7 days of funds being received you will receive a full refund. If you cancel your request after 7 days from the receipt of funds you will not be entitled to a refund. I will begin work 7 days after funds have been received, this is a 'cooling off' period to allow you time to decide to cancel if you wish.
We will give you the login details to your profile after it has been built, so you are free to moderate or delete the account yourself if you don't want it.
Merchandise/CD questions
Q. Will you make CD's of my music to sell?
- No, all of our distribution is done online.
Telling others about TMM
Q. Can I tell other people about my music on Thinkmediamusic?
- Absolutely, we encourage you to promote your music and the fact you are using us to anybody and everybody!
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