A young new producer asked me to share with you why you should pay for tracks, and I thought it was a great blog idea! He’s been told, “I don’t pay for tracks…” and every other imaginable excuse under the sun.

I could go on and on with a million reasons why you should spend money on your passion. But let’s just start with the obvious:

Free is a beautiful thing. Take advantage of it when you can. But guess what – you will have to PAY for something!

Free is not always the best idea. Free does not make sense when it doesn’t IMPROVE the sound of your project.

Did you know you can go to a barber school and get your hair cut by students at a discounted rate? For cheaper than you pay your regular barber. Although they are STUDENTS it doesn’t make them any less skilled. Or any less worthy of being paid. The same goes for a new PRODUCER, engineer, or songwriter. If a producer has a hot track or a songwriter has a beautifully written song, why not pay the small amount they are asking? It’s only going to make your final project that much better! Keep in mind, I’m talking new producer rates not Kanye rates. $25 for a non-exclusive lease? Come on…that’s a steal!

It’s their talent. Pay them for it. You pay McDonald’s for their burger. Ed Hardy for his t-shirts. Nike for their shoes. And you do so without pause. You can’t pay for something you’re passionate about?

Put yourself in their shoes. So you say you don’t pay for tracks? What happens when you are trying to sell the CD you worked so diligently to make? You’ve priced it at $5, well below what its worth so that you can sell more units, yet you keep hearing over and over again, “Eh I don’t pay for music!”

How would you feel?

Now think about the producer who is in the beginning stages of his career and has lowered his rates to accommodate you. He knows his beat is hot and worth so much more, yet he’s offered the track to you for $50. He deserves to be paid for his time, creativity and effort just like you do.

Its actually quite simple why you should pay for tracks or services! You’re going to need someone to support you, so you’ve got to support somebody!

Let’s talk about it! Do you pay for tracks or songwriting? If you don’t, please explain why in the comments section below.