Production Expectations

How every project starts

Every production begins with a free Song Production Discovery Call — a Zoom where you and Robby talk through your song(s), vision, and scope, and we make sure it's a great fit both ways. From there we recommend the right production path and send a transparent quote. Quotes are valid for 14 days. We don't take on every project, and we vet each song to make sure the lyrics are something our team can fully get behind — see our Code of Ethics.

Payment

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, 50% of your total is due up front (for example, $1,500 of a $3,000 total), with the balance due before final delivery. Payment plans are available and can start smaller than 50% — the schedule will be written into your quote or agreement. Two things are always true: work is scheduled around payments received, and the full balance is due before the final master (WAV + instrumental) is delivered. If a requested payment isn't received within 14 days, a $75/week late fee applies, and work may pause until the account is current. Costs for third-party services you arrange (such as a local studio or engineer) are yours.

How we communicate

All project communication happens over email, Zoom, or Loom videos — not text messages or phone calls. Please include [email protected] on all project emails so nothing slips through the cracks. Zoom meetings are a standard part of the process — expect one at each major stage. Both sides commit to responding within 48 business hours. Our hours are 9am–5pm Central.

The process, step by step

The full walkthrough lives on our Process page; in short: songwriting & song map → scratch track → production draft → vocal tracking → vocal editing (comping, timing, tuning) → pre-mix approval → mixing → mastering & delivery. You give feedback and sign off at each stage.

Included instrumental layers: piano/keys/programming, acoustic and electric guitars, drums, bass, programmed strings, common digitally available instruments, and BGVs recorded by you in the same session as your lead vocals.

Available at additional cost: multiple lead/featured vocalists, BGVs tracked separately (including with other vocalists), live strings, gang vocals, choir vocals, obscure instruments, and anything requiring us to book a studio other than Spring Hill Studios.

Vocal tracking — three options: (1) record at Spring Hill Studios outside Nashville; (2) fly Robby to a studio near you (additional compensation plus travel expenses); or (3) record at a studio in your hometown while Robby vocal-produces over Zoom. For options 2 and 3, SHS talks with the engineer and virtually tours the studio beforehand to approve it, and you cover the local engineer and studio costs.

Revisions included: up to 4 mix revisions and up to 2 master revisions. Mastered stems are available for $125–$300, depending on the detail needed. Once you approve the mastered mp3, the remaining balance is due; when it's paid, we deliver the final WAV master and instrumental version.

Changing the order of the process ("Extra Work")

We'll be as flexible as we can. But when steps happen out of order — re-approving something already signed off — our team often does the same work twice. That extra time is billed at $125/hour for Robby or Bria's time and $40/hour for other SHS staff, and the same rates apply to mix or master revisions beyond the included counts. A few examples: asking for a different piano sound after pre-mix approval; asking for a different vocal take after the comp is approved; asking to change the tempo after the song map worktape was approved. This policy encourages careful evaluation at each step — it protects our team's time and keeps our pricing reasonable.

Timeline

Songs typically take around 3–6 months from the time songwriting is finished and production begins. That's a typical range, not a guarantee — it depends on scope, scheduling, and feedback turnaround on both sides.

Ownership & royalties

Recording (master): unless stated otherwise in writing, you own your sound recording 100%.
Composition (publishing/songwriting): unless stated otherwise in writing, composition ownership is split evenly between all writers and their respective publishers — which may or may not include SHS personnel, depending on whether our team co-writes with you.

Songwriting help: Full Song Production includes up to 5 hours of songwriting with our team. Smaller production packages don't include songwriting; it can be added at the Extra Work rates above.

Personnel

Every SHS song is executive-produced, produced, or co-produced by Robby Valderrama. By working with us you give Robby and the team permission to bring in whatever combination of co-producers, producers, engineers, and tools best serves your project — working with SHS does not guarantee Robby is the sole producer or engineer on your song.

Credit

Songs are credited "Produced by Robby Valderrama" (additional producers or co-producers may be added), with Spring Hill Studios credited as the production studio. Please carry these credits into your release metadata and liner notes wherever practical.

Photos & videos along the way

During production we may capture audio, photos, or video of Zooms, in-person sessions, or internal working sessions. You authorize SHS to use this media — at our discretion and in good taste — along with your song and content, to celebrate your song and share what we do. This isn't a promise to promote every project, and we don't share everything publicly.

One ask in return: if any part of your project is recorded at the private residence of an SHS team member or partner, please don't publicly share the location or tag it in social posts — it protects our team members' homes and families.

Staying in touch

Projects move at the speed of feedback. If we can't reach you for 60 days, we may pause your project and re-slot it in our schedule when you're back — a restart fee of up to 10% of the project cost may apply. Amounts paid remain non-refundable while a project is paused.