General Terms & Conditions
The Sweetwater Shallows offers professional music production services, including arrangement, recording, mixing, and mastering. Clients provide their original compositions, and we deliver fully produced recordings based on an agreed-upon scope of work. In addition, we offer a range of marketing and PR services designed to help promote your music effectively and connect with the right audience.
We encourage clients to carefully review the following terms to ensure a clear understanding of expectations and responsibilities prior to the start of any project. Please note that the terms outlined below serve as general guidelines and apply to all projects. Since each project is unique and the scope of services may vary, a tailored proposal which will include a detailed scope of work will be provided for online approval before work commences.
TERMS & CONDITIONS FOR MUSIC PRODUCTION SERVCES
Last Updated: March 2025
We want every collaboration with The Sweetwater Shallows to feel smooth, creative, and respectful from start to finish. The following terms below that are associated with our music production process are here to protect both your rights and ours, and to make sure expectations are clear before we dive into the music. From ownership and feedback timelines to payment structure and final delivery, this guide outlines how we work together so you can focus on what you do best, creating!
Client Ownership: The songwriter (client) retains full copyright ownership of their submitted composition (lyrics and melody).
Work-for-Hire Agreement: Unless agreed otherwise, all musical contributions made by The Sweetwater Shallows and affiliated musicians will be treated as "work-for-hire," meaning all rights to the final productions are transferred to the client upon full payment.
Client Responsibility: The client must ensure they own or have full rights to the submitted composition and that no unauthorized samples or copyrighted material are included.
Liability & Indemnification: The Sweetwater Shallows is not responsible for any legal disputes regarding the ownership or copyright status of submitted materials. The client agrees to indemnify and hold harmless The Sweetwater Shallows from any claims arising from the submitted work. The service is provided "as is," without warranties of any kind regarding commercial success or third-party acceptance.
Usage of Confidential Materials: The Sweetwater Shallows is committed to safeguarding the client's intellectual property throughout the entire production process and will not disclose or use any confidential materials for any reason other than for the execution of the agreed services.
Portfolio Samples: The Sweetwater Shallows reserves the right to use brief excerpts of the final production or share links to the released song for promotional purposes after the project is completed, unless the client expressly requests otherwise in writing.
Composition Ownership: The Sweetwater Shallows does not claim ownership of any part of the composition or final production.
Recording Sessions: All instrument and vocal recordings will be based on the demos provided by the client. If the client requests our creative input on any musical parts, we are happy to propose ideas. Please note that each recording session is charged separately, with the cost varying based on the complexity and duration of the specific part being recorded.
Revision Policy: As our recording sessions are remote, it’s important that your creative direction, references, and expectations are clearly communicated upfront. Studio work requires time and resources, so any revisions or recordings that need to be done from scratch may incur additional fees based on the scope of changes.
Vocal Tuning & Additional Corrections: Vocal tuning is not included in the standard mixing process. If a vocal performance provided by the client requires extensive tuning or corrections, additional fees may apply. These fees will be determined based on the complexity and extent of the required corrections and will be communicated to the client in advance before any work is carried out.
Shared Audio Files: All audio files shared during production are provided in 8-bit MP3 format for review purposes only. These files are not intended for official song release and are not of sufficient quality for final distribution.
Delivery & Timeframes: Tentative turnaround times will be estimated before project initiation and subject to workload and complexity.
Monitoring Project Status: All phases of the production process are detailed in the project-specific proposal, which is submitted for approval after the first consultation, along with a tentative timeline for each phase. We provide regular updates to ensure alignment and keep the client informed about the progress of each phase.
Client Feedback: Clients are expected to provide feedback or approval within three days of receiving each musical part. Delays in client's response may lead to extensions on project agreed deadlines.
Contract Approvals & Project Initiation: Projects will begin only after the project-specific agreement has been formally approved by the client, and the initial milestone payment has been processed.
Payment Terms: Payment milestones are outlined in the project-specific proposal, which will be submitted for approval. For full song productions, payments are divided into four milestone installments, as detailed below. For projects with a more limited scope, a customized payment plan will be provided.
1st Milestone Installment: Due upon project assignment.
2nd Milestone Installment: Due upon approval of the main musical structure that derives from the first recording session (this includes key elements such as main riffs, bass lines, and drum tracks).
3rd Milestone Installment: Due upon completion and approval of all recording sessions (instrumental and vocal overdubs).
4th Milestone Installment: Due upon completion and approval of final mix. Final mastered audio files suitable for release are delivered to the client once the 4th and final payment has been received.
Client Approvals on Deliverables: Upon each milestone delivery, the client is responsible for reviewing and approving the work. The client must provide feedback or approval within 3 business days. Any changes requested after the final approval are subject to additional fees and will be treated as a new request for service.
Final Deliverables: Final deliverables will be provided in their final form for usage. Source files can also be made available upon completion, but may be subject to additional fees unless otherwise agreed in advance.
Refund Policy: Payments are non-refundable once production has started, except in cases where The Sweetwater Shallows is unable to fulfill the service.
Force Majeure: The Sweetwater Shallows will not be held liable for any delays or failure to perform due to causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, pandemics, or government regulations. In the event of a force majeure occurrence, both parties will be given a reasonable extension of time to fulfill their obligations under each agreement.
Contract Terminations: The Sweetwater Shallows reserves the right to refuse or terminate service if a project violates copyright laws, contains offensive material, or is otherwise deemed inappropriate. Clients may cancel a project before production begins for a full refund. Once production has started, cancellations will be subject to only partial refunds based on work completed.
TERMS & CONDITIONS FOR MARKETING & PR SERVICES
Last Updated: March 2025
The Sweetwater Shallows offers a variety of marketing and PR services designed to support the promotion of your music. These services may include, but are not limited to: social media strategies and execution, press release writing and distribution, content creation (e.g., album cover graphics, video teasers, copywriting etc.).The specific services provided will be clearly outlined in the project-specific agreement you will receive for approval.
Providing Required Materials: To ensure a smooth promotional process, clients must provide all required materials in a timely manner. This may include artist bios, press photos, music links, social media handles, and necessary access to all platforms. Delays in submitting required materials may result in timeline adjustments.
Timelines: Marketing and PR services follow a project-based timeline that will be clearly defined in the proposal that is shared for approval. While we aim to deliver all elements on schedule, The Sweetwater Shallows is not responsible for delays due to late approvals, external platform issues, or changes in client-provided materials.
Performance Disclaimer: While we are committed to using best practices and creative strategies to promote your music, The Sweetwater Shallows makes no guarantees regarding the performance of the content that is developed. Outcomes such as playlist placements, media coverage, or growth in followers or streams depend on various external factors including audience engagement, timing, platform algorithms, and market conditions.
Payment Terms: Marketing and PR services may be billed separately or included as part of a bundled project package. Unless otherwise specified, payments will be made in two installments: the first due upon project assignment and the final upon completion and delivery of all agreed services. If marketing and PR services are part of a larger music production and promotion package, the payment milestones will be clearly outlined in the proposal provided for approval.
Deliverables: The specific deliverables for each project can be selected through our project submission form. Following the consultation, the scope of work will be clarified and outlined in a project-specific proposal, which includes the associated fees and is submitted for client approval. Any additional deliverables not listed in the project submission form must be discussed during the consultation to be incorporated into the final proposal.
Third-Party Platforms: The Sweetwater Shallows may use third-party platforms or services to carry out marketing and PR activities. We are not liable for any technical failures, policy changes, or data inaccuracies originating from these external platforms.
Cancellation & Refund Policy: If a marketing or PR service is canceled after work has started, only the portion of work not yet completed may be eligible for a partial refund, at the discretion of The Sweetwater Shallows. No refunds will be provided for services already rendered that fall outside our control.
Contract Termination: The Sweetwater Shallows reserves the right to refuse or terminate a service if a project violates copyright laws, contains offensive material, or is otherwise deemed inappropriate. Clients may cancel a project before services begin for a full refund. Once work has been initiated, cancellations will be subject to only partial refunds based on work completed.
Contact Information:
For questions about our Terms & Conditions, please contact:
The Sweetwater Shallows
Email: lets.jam@tss.band
Telephone Number: +974 7770 5886
By collaborating with Sweetwater Sessions and approving your custom project proposal, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these general Terms and Conditions. Any changes or additional details specific to your project will be clearly outlined in your contract and sent to you for convenient online approval prior to project initiation.