Role Players in the Music Industry

Question 1

Name the role players in the music industry. (11)

Answer 1

Artist
Manager
Music Producer
Label
Publisher
Distributor
PRO’s
Promoter
Venue Owner
Booking Agent
Live and Studio Engineer

Question 2

What does a music producer do?

Answer 2

The Music producer is someone who brings the audio project together in a way that relates to the marketplace, in other words, makes sure the product sounds the way it should before it is released, and to make sure it is released on time.

Question 2

What are the responsibilities of a manager?

Answer 2

Heads up the
business model
for the Artist

Leads the career
of the artist and
in their best
interests

Builds
relationships as
well as takes care
of any issues

Develops Tours in
conjunction with
Booking Agents

Negotiates
merchandise

Hires/Fires
personal

Negotiates terms
of a record deal

Select the
producer and/or
studio to record

Question 3

Name some responsibilities of a music producer.

Answer 3

• Pre-production
• Arranges compositions and edits lyrics if needed
• Runs recording sessions with the audio engineer
• Instrumentation and effects
• Recording techniques to obtain the desired sound and direction
• Guides the mixing, mastering, and recording engineers
• Brings new ideas creatively to a project
• Manages project budgets
• Helps with finding suitable session musicians
• Maps out the timeline of the project
• Makes sure that everyone involved has the same vision for the project

Question 4

Name the three major labels.

Answer 4

1. Universal Music Group
2. Warner Music Group
3. Sony Music Entertainment

Question 5

What classifies a label as a major label?

Answer 5

It has more than 5% of the market share and is multinational.

Question 6

How much market share do the major labels take?

Answer 6

60% - 70%

Question 7

What are the responsibilities of a label?

Answer 7

• ORGANIZE DISTRIBUTION
• ARTWORK (NOT ALWAYS)
• QUALITY CONTROL OF THE FINAL MASTER
• ROYALTY COLLECTION AND REGISTRATION
• A&R
• PROMOTION AND ADVERTISING
• CREATING BRAND AWARENESS

Question 8

What is a music publisher?

Answer 8

A Music Publisher is an organisation or individual that is authorised to license copyrighted works.

The publisher may have contacts in the film or advertising industries who may want to use the music they represent. The Publisher will also look for opportunities for the licensed work as well as collect royalties.

Question 9

What are the responsibilities of publishers?

Answer 9

• Collection of royalties
• Payment of royalties to artist
• Seek sync deals
• Artist Development

Question 10

What is a distributor?

Answer 10

Music distribution is the process of getting finished mastered tracks to the stores, online stores, or streaming services as well as other sites and channels that allow music as a
media. They sign agreements for the rights to sell the music put forward by the artist or
label.

Question 11

What are the responsibilities of distributors?

Answer 11

• Distribute to all online and physical services.
• Royalty collection
• Negotiate features on playlists

Question 12

What does PRO stand for?

Answer 12

Performing Rights Organization

Question 13

What are PROs

Answer 13

Performing Rights Organization (PRO) ensures that songwriters and publishers are paid for the use of their music in public spaces by collecting royalties on behalf of the right holder.

Question 14

Name South African PROs

Answer 14

SAMRO - the south african music rights organization

RISA - recording industry of south africa

SAMPRA - South african performing rights association

CAPASSO

Question 15

What are the responsibilities of PROs

Answer 15

Royalty collection

Payment to rights holders

Hosts regular seminars and
conferences and supports the industry

Question 16

What is a promoter?

Answer 16

A music promoter is an individual or
company that promotes and publicizes live performances. They will organize gigs, book the lineup of artists, and advertise the live event to bring in paying customers at the door.

Question 17

What are the promoter’s responsibilities?

Answer 17

Booking artists for
an event

Booking sound and
lighting as well as
the engineers

Booking necessities
such as portable
bathrooms and
mandatory health
and safety services

Scouting venues
Advertising the
event

Ensuring the smooth
running of the
event

Door collection

Keeping the artists
contractual needs
in place

Question 18

What is a booking agent?

Answer 18

A booking agent represents and promotes artists
in dealing with future events. They are the glue
between the artist and the promoter looking to
hire acts. They will have a catalogue of artists on
their books making it easy to find the suitable
artist for the event. Finding gigs for artists and
putting them forward to promoters is their primary
job, however, they may also handle contracts
and other matters for the artist.

Question 19

What are booking agent’s responsibilities?

Answer 19

Receiving demos and auditioning potential new artists

Making sure media exposure is done by the publicist

Booking performances with promoters for the artist

May help with scouting venues

May assist with travel arrangements for the artist

Collecting payments for the performances

Development of the artists career in the live music space.