A Sound Bid
By Aaron Marks Gamasutra January 8, 1999 Vol. 3: Issue 1	A SOUND BID Introduction Questions to Ask Before Bidding Advice for Game Developers Seeking Audio Help How An Audio Quote Is Calculated Contract Payment Options Sound artists and music composers (which I collectively call "sound artists") are frequently asked, "How much do you charge?" Often, it's tempting to reply, "How much do you have?" Although we sound artists never actually say it out loud, underneath our happy-go-lucky artistic exterior there's a businessman inside us thinking it. To get an accurate answer to the first question, a game developer must provide the sound artist with some information about the project. With that in hand, a competitive, realistic price can be quoted. On the other hand, sound artists who just throw out price quotes without a good understanding of what kind of job they're bidding on is bad business. It's up to the sound artist to extract from the producer or media buyer the necessary information about the project. The bottom line is that effective communication between the client (the game developer) and contractor (the sound artist) from the earliest stages can ensure success. Producers who know what information sound artists need can smooth the development process. Likewise, sound artists who use standardized guidelines to determine their fees and who clearly communicate their options for payment usually win bids. In this article, I present information both clients and contractors should understand before diving into an audio project together. Playing Twenty Questions Let me start off by showing what it's sometimes like for a sound artist. Here are some actual quotes from inquiries I received in just the past few months: "We are constructing a large multi-player, strategy game and in need of soundtrack help. I can't say much beyond that. What are your prices?" "Take a look at the game on our web page. We are rethinking its sound effects. Please quote us a price and remember that we don't have a money tree - it's more like a money weed." "Can you duplicate sounds? We have copyrighted sound that we need changed slightly, but not much. Let us know a cost." "Can you give me an idea of what the costs of SFX?" "Please send a demo and tell us how much you charge." s While these questions are well founded, they are vague on details. Each was so nebulous that I had to fire off a barrage of questions to in return. I ask you: "Orchestra or simple MIDI?", "Star Wars-quality sound effects or humble everyday sounds?", "Red Book or .wav files?". As a client searching out a sound artist, the more information you provide at the beginning of the bidding process, the more streamlined the process and the lower your costs will be.
	Questions for the Sound Artist to ask before bidding