Producer Payments, Money, and Advances If you are ready as an artist, and you've got a little money to hire a producer that is credible, then it will be a matter of you making yourself prepared to let them do their best to make you shine. It will probably cost into the thousands of dollars, so don't go into shock when they start giving you quotes for fees. A good producer will usually charge just like any other specialist in any given field; their price will be according to their skills, credibility, and experience, and also according to what the producer believes you can afford to pay. Note: You can't set up a meeting with a potential producer; have on a $25,000 watch, drive up in an $85,000 car, and try to ask for bargain-basement prices or the cheap rate from the producer. Most producers will always have to be paid an advance before they perform any services. The form of this payment can come in different ways, and in different amounts. The deal will depend on your particular situation, finances, and how willing the producer is to agree with your specific circumstances. Payments can come by way of, but are surely not limited to, the following: Payment Advance An advance payment from the artist, or the record label, or whatever company that may be representing the talent. Along with this advance, will come an agreement to pay the producer a percentage (points) of the record sales (usually 3 points or more of the retail price). Flat Fee If you are an unsigned artist (no label, no management), the producer may charge you a flat fee to do production work. It is very unlikely to get a working producer to stop and take the risk of doing any tracks for you for free, unless they are possibly planning on signing you, or you have some type of great friendship, which is sometimes better than money. But in most situations, you should still expect to pay the producer points once you get a deal or some type of distribution. Possible low up-front fee with 10% down One alternative practice that a few producers have been known to do, is to charge you 10% of whatever their normal production fee might be, and then once you get a record deal or advance in place, you pay up the balance due, the other 90%.  See Producer Payments part 2