The Ghost Production Guide: Everything You Should Know To Hire a Ghost Producer

Index
  1. 1. Introduction
  2. 2. What is a ghost producer?
  3. 3. Types of ghost production
  4. 4. History of ghost production
  5. 5. Famous examples of ghost production
  6. 6. Who should hire a ghost producer?
  7. 7. Where can you find a ghost producer?
  8. 8. Choosing the right ghost producer
  9. 9. How much does a ghost producer charge?

1. Introduction

The world of ghostwriting is a broad one, with blurred lines, shifting boundaries and uncertainties – just like life.
- H.H.

If you are reading this, chances are that you are either an aspiring, talented DJ or a music producer embarking on the rocky road to a dream career in the industry. Did we get it right? Then continue reading.

If you are already creating stellar tracks but somehow ended up on this page, stick with us anyhow. You might as well learn something new that will guide you through the pitfalls you'll face along the way. We are happy to help every artist who requires assistance, regardless of their reason for being here.

We believe it’s about time for someone to answer the baffling questions surrounding one of the biggest controversies in the music industry — ghost production, in a straight and honest manner. Our main goal is to clear up the most common misconceptions and provide you with a deeper understanding of its key aspects.

By the end of this guide, you will be armed with the important information one needs to gather before making a life-changing decision.

Now, let’s lift the veil and take a closer look into the mystical realm of ghost production.

2. What is a ghost producer?

A ghost producer is someone who anonymously composes music on requests or sells already-made tracks to other people. Upon agreement, the ghost composer is paid a fee, and the artist receives a musical piece that can legally present as their own from that moment on.

Ghost production has been dubbed the "Dirty Little Secret" of the Electronic Dance Music scene. Even though it has frequently occurred on various occasions, its ethics and usage have been the subjects of never-ending debates. Some artists judged it as a heresy; others, with an "innit to win it" attitude, took the opportunity to break into the music business from the backdoor.

IN A NUTSHELL

The ghost producer creates a track, an EP, or LP for another artist to release under their moniker. A transaction occurs, and then certain exchanges and legal obligations are established. Both sides follow a pair of simple rules under the agreement they sign:

  • The artist receives the composed musical piece, all final versions of the files needed for a demo submission to a label, and the copyrights assigned to them. The composer charges accordingly through a single payment in exchange for the provided services.
  • The ghost producer remains out of the spotlight and completely anonymous, and so does the agreement. The author is not entitled to any royalties from the song once it’s publicly released and most often is not mentioned in the credits.

Finally, everyone benefits: ghost producers who prefer keeping it low-key can make a fair income from music production without the need to leave their natural studio habitat unwillingly, while the artists can focus on practising, performing, touring and marketing without fear of staying behind their colleagues production-wise.

3. Types of ghost production

For people not deeply involved in the music industry like the regular fans, ghost production is a basic process that unfairly kickstarts someone’s career by following a simple structure: a big-name DJ “X” hires a ghost producer “Z” to produce the next big hit.

The workflow, however, has additional advancements and complexities that vary depending on how the process unfolds. There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution. Hence we’ve listed the four most popular types of ghost production you can find and purchase on the commercial market.

Ready-made tracks

Undoubtedly, the fastest and easiest choice from those at hand is for the artist to purchase a song directly from a bank of ready-made ghost produced tracks . There are thousands of finished, ready-to-be-released records classified across genre-based libraries at specially designed ghost production marketplaces. This gives every DJ a significant advantage — instantly owning a song and all its additional files, including the project file of the produced track, just with a click of the mouse.

Custom ghost production

Another available option for the clients is to request a custom tune based on a reference. When the artists already know what they are looking for, they contact a ghost producer and ask for a tailor-made project of their specific idea. They provide the ghost producer with all specifications that imagine their future track to feature, such as genre, BPM, song key, details on the expected type of sound and a few examples. Both sides would continue the mutual brainstorming and feedback exchange until the track finally sounds according to the artist’s initial idea and translates to the desired vibe. Some platforms specialize in ghost production services where it’s possible to find all type of ghost producers where you can find all types of ghost producers ready to add their skills to your ideas.

Co ghost production

Quite often, the artist will contact a ghost producer when they are halfway through the project but cannot continue for various reasons. The co-creation process usually starts when the DJ shares his work up to this point with the chosen producer via stems, MIDI files, or the project file — if both work on the same DAW — then sets a roadmap to the final version of the track he has in mind. Afterwards, the ghost producer comes to the rescue. A good ghost producer would complete the track by incorporating a pro touch while sticking to the artist’s instructions. Best case scenario: the ghost producer has extra knowledge about sound design and applies it — that would be the best benefit and the feature that would make a significant, noteworthy and recognisable difference in the final product. As a result, the artist would receive a finished version of his started project, with industry-standard sound and quality.

Co produced tracks

This co-production approach might at first sound similar to the one we’ve discussed above, but in reality, it’s pretty different and somewhat sketchy. In this case, the hired “co-producer” also gets listed in the credits, but not as a track originator alongside “the main” artist, and not as nearly important, instead as some random contributor. Usually, the hard-working and creative producer/s (they often are 3+ in a mainstream collab), who perhaps is also the one that’s done most for the track, is trapped in the shadows of the songwriting’s credits and falls into obscurity. This method is a shady ghost production in disguise, most commonly used by big names in the industry.

Always double-check the files you expect to acquire before you finalise the purchase. You should receive a unique, original and fully mastered track in .wav format — and a mixdown version of it, all stems files and the project file.

4. History of ghost production

We would like to approach this topic by making a very blunt statement — a historic fact lacking in popularity among the masses. Ever since we became the enlightened human beings we are today — writing poems, making paintings, and composing music — people have been using the services provided by ghostwriters, producers and more of a kind.

The ghost production business didn't just spring into existence in the wake of Martin Garrix and Nicky Romero. Just the opposite, it’s been an integral part of the music business for as long as it existed in its commercial form.

It traces back to the 18th century when royalty and other powerful patrons hired eminent maestros like Mozart to produce unique music pieces. Other renowned classical composers, like Bach and Beethoven, also used the help of unknown composers to assist their work. During that time, it was a common practice for privileged families to commission a composer to have original music at their weddings, births and other life events.

Fast forward to this day, ghost producing has grown so prevalent, especially among artists on large labels, that almost every top-charting album has some ghostwriter's input added. It has become a common thing across different ages and genres. Even Will Smith’s breakout hit, “Getting’ Jiggy Wit’ It”, was infamously ghostwritten by Nas.

Over the years, mainstream EDM has come under fire for various reasons, but the widespread exploitation of ghost producers by DJs holding some of the top slots received the most backlash. The tipping point was in 2012 when the term “ghost producer” blew up, and famous world-renowned composers and chart-buster DJs started revealing more about the mysterious nature of ghost production. For instance, Martin Garrix was one of the first “brave-hearted” who shared that before his hit “Animals”, he produced another top track for Spinnin’ Records — obviously not under his name. It wasn’t long until the number one DJ for 2013, Hardwell, also decided to come clean on the same matter, sharing that he offered such services and never felt wrong about having hits at Beatport 100, signed by someone else’s moniker.
The actual controversy with ghost producing comes when artists state explicitly that they have created their music, only for people to discover otherwise later. That's when fans turn to social media to rant, capturing everyone's attention for several days with heaps of vitriol until a new craze arises on the horizon and the case is closed.

A decade ago, EDM ghost production was scrutinised and classified as a "taboo" in the public eye. We are witnessing how it is getting normalised — one step at a time. It’s often easy to see why people hire ghost creators. The demand for ghost producers has skyrocketed in the electronic dance music scene as it's has gotten more popular with time. Some of the biggest names in the field hire ghost composers to help them achieve a successful careers. To stay relevant in the contemporary playlist-driven subscription-based music ecosystem, DJs have no choice but to release new stuff at least a few times a year.

There's still a high barrier to entry to becoming a full-time music producer. Hence, ghost production helps musicians earn money by doing what they love the most until they develop as professionals, establish their names and have a steady income. Initially starting as an insider's job, today there is a thriving group of people whose sole occupation is to compose music for others.

Regardless of whether they are categorised as "ghost" or "public", music producers are a dynamic, living and beating part of the music business. An essential component in the chain that not only supplies but also demands. They constantly purchase tech tools, plugins, presets, sample packs, new equipment, etc. The well-known never-ending cycle of money, resources, and goods exchange, every other industry alike.

5. Famous examples of ghost production

Rumours and scandals that evolve around ghost produced tracks are something no one can ever be sure of. It’s often hard or impossible to prove someone wrong as there is hardly any evidence to support a particular statement, other than many signed NDAs.

We hear about producers accusing and ghost-shaming each other on social media every once in a while, but it gets real once fans join the conversation. At the end of the day, everyone chooses what to believe in.

We will review three ghost production famous cases. You decide whether it's fiction or fact; what we can confirm is that serious debates erupted when these topics became public.

DVBBS and Borgeous provoked a tsunami of public interest, but they were not the only ones involved

A story about a record-breaking single that achieved a sudden, unbelievable success over a night while maintaining its actual origin as a secret for some time before it became primarily debated. When in 2013, the teaser of “Tsunami” first appeared online, it went viral, causing the internet to buzz, anticipate and discuss. The production credits for the track were not given; thus, plenty of speculation quickly ensued around who created this track and where it came from. It was soon revealed that Canadian newcomers DVBBS and Borgeous teamed up to create the chart-breaker, with some help from KSHMR, who was a co-producer. The track quickly dominated various festivals worldwide, receiving almost an anthem-like status. “Tsunami” gained global recognition — ranked number 1 in 15 countries and topped the charts again in the UK a year later with its remix featuring Tinie Tempah. It is considered one of the most popular big-room house songs.

Even though Niles Hollowell-Dhar, aka KSHMR, was mentioned as a co-producer of the track, rumours that the ghost produced the whole song are still widely popular.

Dennis Waakop and the creation of Tiësto’s discography

One of the most famous examples of ghost production is not a track or an EP but a whole career based on teamwork. The triumphant story of the Grammy-winning artist Tijs Michiel a.k.a Tiësto, or the First Superstar DJ, who changed EDM’s status quo globally and made it cool (before it was cool), and on top of everything, he did it when the Internet was starting to gain its popularity.

Tiësto never hid the fact of himself being a brand with a large team behind it. Team member Dennis Waakop played a crucial role. His name popped out of nowhere at some point during EDM’s peak period, unknown to the broad public yet addressed by Tiësto as “the band”. To put it bluntly, this is the man who is responsible of half (or more) of Tiësto’s discography. In the early 2000s, no one knew that for a fact, but honestly, no one would have cared. People simply wanted to catch his hit “Just Be” on a random radio station (that was easy, as they were all spinning it non-stop) to rave and have fun.

There’s nothing wrong if you are so lucky to work with a partner who supplies one world hit after another, and Tiësto’s fans are ridiculous to point the finger at him after so many years. The questionable morals in today’s music industry have nothing to do with ghost producers but everything to do with the label “Superstar DJs”.

Dr. Dre vs. Daz Dillinger: “Doggystyle”

It's no secret that even the one and only the Godfather of hip-hop, a prominent beat-maker and entertainer — Dr Dre, had used some help with his production. A fact that even he had confirmed in recent years — opening up publicly and name-dropping the G’s, partially responsible for some of the rapper/producer’s wildest hits.

There was, however, heavy rumouring and even some tension around another name that appeared in the writing credits of Dre's albums — Daz Dillinger. It's documented that Daz also played a very prominent role in the production of Snoop Dogg’s first and indisputably killer album — “Doggystyle”, which turned into an immortal rap classic everyone loves to listen to. Still, according to Death Row’s boss, Suge Knight, other gang members, who were lucky enough to witness those epic times, and finally confirmed by the man himself — Daz Dillinger was not given the credits he deserved. Not even close. He claims he’s in charge of some of the album’s anthems like “Rat - Tat - Tat - Tat” and “Ain’t No Fun”, but on the record, you would find his name credited only as “programmed drums”.

More heat arose between Dre and another G from his closest circle — Chris “The Glove” Taylor, who publicly accused the Doctor of not crediting him as the beat-maker of one of his signature songs — “Stranded on Death Row”, nor as the author of “Doggy Dog World”, not even mentioning the rest of his contribution to Snoop’s album.

6. Who should hire a ghost producer?

If you fall into any of the categories described below, you might find it useful to hire a ghost producer .

The up-and-coming DJ

Assuming that you, fellow reader, are a great curator with impeccable taste, you are also very passionate and spend the majority of your time practicing and perfecting your DJ skills and developing your exceptional approach to the art of mixing. Well done!

The harsh reality is that you will always need your own few tracks, a release or two, to help you stand out from the pack. Once you get acknowledged a step further from your local club’s doorway, promoters become more interested in you, your bookings double or even triple, and finally, you end up on the lineups you've always wished to be part of.

So far, so good. Yet, to sustain a successful DJ career, one would need more and more tunes tagged with their name. As we already know, this requires time and effort, regular updates and add-ons to your tech equipment, and a constant flow of new track ideas.

This is where ghost producers come in to help the DJs stay on top of their game. By hiring a helping hand, DJs can quickly fill the gaps in their musical profile. Receiving professional assistance along the way does not disqualify the DJ from remaining the chief creative in charge but will undoubtedly speed up, smoothen, and simplify the ghost production process. DJs work with ghost producers to turn their concepts into songs with excellent audio quality. Both sides actively participate in the collaboration and maintain a constant exchange of files and feedback.

The touring DJ

It’s 2022, and the industry has significantly changed since its heyday. The DJ is more than simply a DJ — it is a brand, a business that depends on labels, social media, managers, booking agents, charts and playlists. If you are not a lucky distant relative of the multiple-handed Indian God, Shiva or Napoleon, doing everything yourself, especially while touring, is physically challenging and highly exhausting.

The bulletproof strategy, in this case, is to hire someone as good in the studio as you are behind the decks. Let him do his thing while you have enough time and energy to do yours. In other words, if you fall into this category, you are definitely the sort of artist in need of a ghost producer.

The newborn producer

Making music is not easy, and it will take a while before you perfect your sound and start liking what’s coming from your speakers. It takes time to get to know your DAW and hardware, to get familiar with all the different elements it takes to make music. But you have to trust the process, no matter what. That doesn’t necessarily mean sitting locked up in your bedroom studio and whining about it.

Hiring a ghost producer might be a game-changer for those who haven’t yet developed enough skills to build a whole track on their own or are still too self-doubtful.

Or just anyone…

… who is currently stuck on the Creative Block Island, for instance. We’ve all been there and thus are aware of how much of a shitty place it can be, yet no one can tell how long your stay will last.
It gets worse when instead of having motivation and muse to create — you have an approaching deadline. The stress levels rise high, and one of the best things an artist could do just before the panic attack hits is to look for a refreshing point of view.
Sometimes, all we need is to hear a new, unfamiliar point of view to get the creative juices flowing, and working with a ghost producer may be just the thing to help.

Other industries

Hiring a ghost producer is a vastly adopted approach across many industries and businesses, and it is slightly more popular outside the music industry than inside. There has always been a need for original music content in all possible forms: from a short sound snippet for the radio to a memorable soundtrack — sounds and songs are constantly used in various productions everywhere.

For example, in the advertising industry, where the high demand for original audio is the norm; or in the video games industry, where the weirdest experiments with sound design are of remarkable quality, thus so valued that some ghost producers are praised like rockstars; of course — in the movies and all things video, as well as in audio software for sample packs, midi chord packs, sound-banks etc.

The benefits of ghost production we mentioned above prove its suitability and value for various occasions, industries, and all stages of the particular creative process. They also provide the answers to why you should hire a ghost producer.

7. Where can you find a ghost producer?

Consider the following scenario: you have already decided to spend money on a ghost produced track that meets your specific needs. You got the dollar yet have no idea where to begin the search for your future collaborator. Several paths can lead you to your next big hit, and in this section, we will thoroughly consider each of these options. Read carefully, because we are about to lend you a hand in the tricky process of finding a ghost producer. , and find a suitable space where an encounter with the ghost composer of your dreams is possible.

Ghost production platforms

These platforms operate as mediators by linking DJs with ghost producers who can compose unique tracks on request or help with co-ghost production; simultaneously, they also offer an extensive catalogue filled with ready-made tunes from various genres and price categories, all for sale.

The primary function of a ghost production platform like Edmwarriors is to facilitate the process by providing a safe environment for both sides involved and guaranteeing a safe and successful transaction at the end.

Here is a list of the main services a good ghost production marketplace provides to its clients:

  • Guarantees the published content is of the highest quality via a qualified submission review system.
  • Carefully curates and updates the new content daily in the vast library of tracks, organised and labelled by their genre specifics.
  • Ensures all files of the track folder are delivered to the customer and that they meet high quality standards.
  • Provides and documents clear, detailed information on the track’s origin and production process, if it contains royalty-free loops etc.
  • Verifies the published content with Music Recognition Technology, which ensures all published compositions are 100% original.
  • Verifies the identity of all ghost producers by reviewing their official IDs.
  • Arranges and executes the Transfer of Rights — a contract through which all agreement terms are set forth between both parties.
  • Last but not least, it provides after-sales service and support.

Note that choosing a ghost production platform is important for anyone who wants to become a ghost producer as well.

There are too many spaces on the web where one can buy and sell ghost produced music, yet very few of them are authentic and professional ghost production platforms.

While finding a ghost producer on these platforms is safe and secure, always double-check that all requirements from the checklist are fulfilled before making a purchase. If you tick all boxes, the consideration process may continue. Take the time and get to know the rest of the offered features, which are also important for your final decision.

The first impression does matter and rarely lies — a catchy design and intuitive interface can contribute a lot to a better user experience. The sound level and quality of the tracks are according to industry standards. The platform should also offer a wide range of choices regarding professional quality, genres and DAWs across its extensive content catalogue.

Don’t settle for anything less than the best. It is essential to check on the exclusivity of the tracks before you purchase them. Use only professional platforms that guarantee 100% original material and unbreakable anonymity, and ensure the demands of both parties are met at the end of every transaction.

Finding a ghost producer on freelancer platforms

We will continue by taking a closer look at the general freelancer platforms, such as Fiverr and Upwork, which are useful to those on a really tight budget and need the most affordable option.

Over there, you will find primarily entry-level ghost producers trying to connect with artists, DJs, or just any potential customer to pitch their music to. Therefore you should bear in mind that the quality control on these websites is not necessarily as strict as it should be; in other words, there is neither security control to keep an eye on all the scammers that play around nor to check if the transactions happen in compliance with the legal terms adapted by the copyright licensing contracts. Considering the above, a reasonable conclusion comes naturally: these freelancer platforms have nothing to do with professional music ghost production.

If you still think you might find a ghost producer on the following platforms, make 100% sure that you are dealing with a legit producer and that the transaction is done upon а mutual agreement, which is certified by an original contract where copyrights and license legal obligations are explicitly stated. The biggest downside of using unspecialised platforms is that: there’s no one to confirm how a track was made, if it was created entirely with royalty-free loops, or if it has any copyrighted material. Please, make sure the project you buy is not a free FLP downloaded from YouTube.

When starting the hunt for your future banger focusing on the production quality and the project files you receive is essential, but even more importantly — on the contract and the legal arrangement you sign. Constantly keep this in mind. Chances you’d still prefer using social media or a freelance platform might as well lower.

Finding a ghost producer on social media

Using social media as a place to search for, communicate and work with ghost producers is the most questionable way to approach something as important as your future music career. However, it is easy to find already established ghost producers on social media and try to get in touch with them directly. You might meet someone good, capable and willing to help you achieve the sound you are dreaming of; yet again, you should be extra careful and never forget this important detail: there are no regulations on social media, meaning that you won’t be protected from any fraudulent actions under no circumstances. And let’s be honest — it’s not very hard to fall into someone’s trap.

Think wisely and provide plenty of information about the project you want to buy. Do the sound quality, and the overall ghost production fulfil your wishes? Will you receive the value you expect for the money you are spending?

Decent and honest ghost producers can be found out there. Still, if you choose this path, we encourage you to stay alert and clearly understand all legal terms before entering a transaction. Make sure the mutual agreement between you and the ghost producer is certified via a legit contract arranged by a lawyer, specialising in intellectual property. Read the contract extra carefully to see if the agreement you have reached is correctly described, as, in the future, you will have to act according to the legal rules you now agree upon and sign.

Finding a ghost producer through friends or mutual friends

Yes, many of us are somehow related to the industry and thus have at least one talented mate who makes sick music. If they produce tons of cool, quality tunes and are willing to deliver one or two at a lower, friendly price for you — sure, go for it; why not? Make sure, however, that everything about the deal is clear and that you keep the legal agreement and copyrights enacted. We’ve all seen broken friendships between DJs and producers where further complications have arisen, and the truth is, it can get ugly before you know it.

Pay close attention to the following red flags:

  • Don’t work with someone without signing a legal contract that you have carefully read before.
  • Trust your gut as much as your ears when choosing whom to work with.
  • Don’t pay the total price before you receive a demo.
  • Do extended research before you decide on the right market place. It’s packed with freelance scammers out there, and websites/ platforms that may look legit at first, but the track you receive might either be partially stolen, non-exclusive or of compromised quality.
  • Do find a professional service that guarantees satisfaction for both parties involved and ensures a safe transaction.
  • Once more: all stems, subtracts and a fully mastered version of the track!

8. Choosing the right ghost producer

Whatever you do, whenever you do it — make sure you choose a professional ghost producer whom you can trust and mind the following key points:

Trustworthy ghost producer

Finding a loyal ghost creator whom you can fully trust is partly a matter of good luck and partly — of good research. Sometimes it will cost you time and money until you find the one, other times it’s a love from the first kick. If you vibe — you vibe. If you are both honest and open-minded — it might be a long-term partnership.

Here are some signs that you might have won the ghost jackpot (if you’ve experienced just the opposite, abort the mission asap):

  • Professional communication

    We can’t stress enough the importance of good communication between two artists. You should be able to reach out and receive an answer in maximum 2 days. The best professionals are reliable, responsible and emphatic.

  • Good workflow

    Producers assist with ghost production to generate the final output the DJ is looking for. That happens when both of you are devoted to the project, and they are willing to help you, not only to take your money. Be careful with a producer that rushes your ideas and moves on to the next customer without giving your project adequate time.

  • Fulfilling timelines, organising and sending files over

    There’s nothing better than waking up in the morning to find an e-mail or else, a news or a prove of a job well done. Successful people are on time and keep their commitments. A common misconception is that because music is part of the entertainment business, that the “work part" is glossy and glitzy. If you want to be pleased with the end product, you'll need to put in a lot of effort and to work hard. So should your ghost producer. You shouldn't have to ask your producer to improve your final product if they themselves are committed to high standards of quality.

  • The ghost production is 100% original. They are honest if using free-royalty loops, clear and open about the process.

    Openness and honesty are vital for developing a long-term partnership. They serve as pillars for working in an online environment. You can’t do your best if you don’t feel a sense of trust and commitment and share a common vision with your ghost producer.

  • Works on a legitimate basis and signs a contract with established terms and sticks them to the letter.

    Yup, that’s what professionals do — that’s what you should always look for too. Remember, if there’s no signed contract — it’s a scam!

Skills and experience

Your future ghost producer’s music capabilities are essential for the commercial success of your track. The quality of the music, the song’s structure, the sound design and the overall vibe of the finished track or a whole EP are interconnected directly to their level and skill set. We have outlined four groups of ghost producers based on their skill level and gained experience — key factors you should consider if planning to hire a pair of helping hands. Find out beforehand which level of co-creator would fit your artistic's needs and career plan the best, and if the price is a bite your size.

  • Basic level

    This is where the entry-level ghost producers come in. They have gained enough ghost production and audio knowledge to deliver a track you might like and even manage to release; don't expect, however, a signature sound quality at this stage. The price that they would charge is as modest as their skills.

  • Intermediate level

    A middle ground for composers who have adopted different methods to create sounds and use more variable and skilled ghost production practices than beginners. They are good enough but not too confident and, more importantly, not too famous for charging a tremendous amount of money. Additionally, clients are more eager to contact producers who have started building an identity.

  • Advanced level

    Now, we’ve climbed to quite a high level of producers, who are not only talented but also have many years of experience behind, and most probably — releases on major labels and thousands of streams on Spotify. They receive projects from clients with a clear concept, and who would hire a ghostwriter for their unique signature and authentic input. Purchasing a tune from these guys might give you the “Hunger Games” look for a while, but you will surely get the attention you are looking for.

  • Premium level

    At the top of the pyramid sit already established ghost producers in the business, who deliver valuable products of the highest quality and are, therefore, the ones approached with requests by high-profile clientele. If you go for this ghost production level, you will receive a track that would probably sound better than the ones you referenced at first. Your new tune might also have additional exclusive vocals recorded in studios by professional singers that sound remarkable and give the tracks that extra flair. Last but not least, the best engineers in the field take care of post-production, so the highest sound quality is guaranteed.

Workflow

Each ghost producer has a particular range of capabilities to generate sounds and thus provides specific services to meet the client’s needs. Depending on the request, the producer's duties may vary from creating a complete track from scratch to co-composing a track based on licensed loops from third-party sample packs.

When looking for new tracks on a specialized platform, find one that provides all the essential details such as the used DAW, a screenshot of the project and its stems, the source and authenticity of the vocals and the synths, and the loops’ origin etc. The more information on the ghost production process you acquire, the better.

Especially if you weren’t entirely involved in its making, receiving some "behind the project" knowledge is crucial before you end the transaction.
If you are about to spend a decent amount of money for the composition you’ve been craving for so long, the best-case scenario is to have a better insight into the process and workflow. Being familiar with the track’s specifics, from the number of bass layers to the exact guitar model that the ghost producer used to record the intro riff, is not a luxury but a necessity. It’s also a sign of professionalism from both sides.

We have created a categorization system by which we quickly divide the tracks and label them according to their originality and production process. This is extremely beneficial for the customers because it provides the project information of the music files and conveniently groups them into three types. Always safeguard what type of track you are about to purchase — we don’t want you to end up spending 1000€ for something that turns out to be a combo of Garageband loops.

  • Type A — Full-made tracks

    In the first category are the fully-made tracks from Type A. Here you will find the most expensive and original ones with top-quality sound design. What makes them so is that nothing in the track, not even the chord progressions or the harmonic elements, is sampled or pre-made; the producer created everything by himself, including the arrangement. The instrumentation was designed without any royalty-free loops; the support drum loops (such as claps, shakers, top loops, etc.) are the only exception.

  • Type B — Complete-made tracks

    Typical for the complete-made tracks from Type B is that they have a custom-produced original base (chords and melodies), but certain royalty-free loops are incorporated into the arrangement, such as vocal chops and guitar loops, bass wobbles, and glitch effects. Many producers choose this method of working. You will most likely find both original MIDI files and melodic loops in the project.

  • Type C — Partial-made tracks

    This is the third category of tracks — Type C is where you will find the Partially-made tracks, meaning that only royalty-free melodic loops are used for the creation. In order to achieve an original sounding arrangement, the producer manipulates, alters, modifies and combines the loops variously into the ghost production process.

Legal arrangement

As we’ve mentioned several times already — it’s good to be legally assisted and protected at every step during the transaction process: from contract preparation to identity validation, all actions should take place in a secure environment.

And thus, we always encourage every artist/DJ/producer, especially our youngest audience, to enter this business the best way possible — by choosing the safest space to meet their needs and protect their rights. Ghost production platforms are specially designed to meet the specific requirements brought by the nature of this industry.

Imagine you have finally found the ghost producer you’ve been looking for for so long and that both of you clicked instantly in the chat. You already have the wildest project ideas and can’t wait to get them into action. Not so fast. Mojo Jojo!

Don’t forget the most crucial part of every deal — the contract. Even If you feel that the producer is your brother from another mother, or if you're tempted to think, 'What’s the worst that can happen?' — the legal agreement is an inevitable part of the whole process. Do not neglect it because everything can happen when you least expect. Be professional, no matter what you engage in. It can only help you in the long term and always leaves a great impression on people.

Before purchasing a project or starting co-working on another, ensure you have a legitimate contract, where all terms and conditions under which the transaction or the working process would occur are carefully, concisely written and legally approved. Both sides have to agree and sign the document. When the legal agreement is completed, the papers are signed, and everything is clear, you can safely proceed with your business or ghost music production.

Before finalizing the transaction, make sure that:

  • The contract reflects in detail all clauses previously agreed between you and the producer.
  • The document contains the authentic, accurate identity details of both parties.
  • Both parties sign the contract and keep a (digital) copy of it.
  • The terms of the agreement comply accordingly with the international legal framework.

9. How much does a ghost producer charge?

There’s a lot of factors that go into how much one can earn selling ghost production , the prices vary incredibly, unrealistically, and all the factors listed above impact the value of the final product whether when it comes to ready-made tracks or custom production services. The amount you will pay for a ghost production depends on some of the following:

  • On the type of ghost production

    • Ready-made tracks — tthe most affordable and easiest-to-get.
    • Customized tracks — more expensive than the ready-made option due to the fact that the project usually requires several revisions, which consequently implies more hours of work.
    • Co ghost produced tracks — usually a bit cheaper than customized tracks as the main idea of the song is already provided by the customer.
  • On the skills, experience, and knowledge of the ghost producer

    • Basic level ≈ 150 - 300€
    • Intermediate ≈ 300 - 600€
    • Advanced ≈ 600 - 1500€
    • Premium ≈ 1500 - 10.000€
  • On the creation process of the work

    It definitely depends a lot on how the track is made — is it primarily samples, or there’s more original input? Whether the track uses a free-royalty vocal an original exclusively recorded in the studio for it. If there is any additional hardware used — synths, drum machines, guitar pedals, etc. These are factors that will certainly affect how much it will cost you to hire a ghost producer.

    • Type A — Full-made tracks
    • Type B — Complete-made tracks
    • Type C — Partial-made tracks
  • On the number of tracks and the relation to other projects

    Is it just one track, a whole EP, or even an album you want to purchase or receive professional assistance for? Is it a one-off, or have you previously completed some projects with this producer? All details will impact how much you will be charged for the ghost production services.

    If you are a talented music producer who wants to earn money from selling their ghost produced tracks , join Edmwarriors , the world’s largest EDM production marketplace and become part of our team of professional music producers. . We even offer a DJ name generator to help you find a name for you user account.

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