The terms

Twelve words that appear in every quote and that nobody explains. Here they are, so the next negotiation needs no guesswork.

• BuyoutThe fee for usage rights, separate from the recording fee. Set by medium, territory and duration.
• Version (Motiv)A distinct version of a spot. Five cutdowns of one campaign are five versions, not one.
• Licence periodThe period during which the recording may be used. When it expires, it needs renewing.
• TerritoryThe geographic scope of use: regional, national, DACH, worldwide.
• Base feeThe fee for the recording itself — preparation, performance, editing. Usage rights not included.
• Layout / scratchA non-final rough recording for a pitch, market test or offline edit. Cheaper because it is not broadcast — if it is, it gets licensed properly.
• Voice-over artistThe voice you hear but do not see. As opposed to dubbing, which is locked to lips.
• Station voiceA channel's continuous voice: trailers, continuity announcements, transitions.
• Source-ConnectThe studio standard for remote directed sessions in uncompressed quality. Alternatives: ipDTL, Cleanfeed, and at a pinch Zoom or Teams.
• AAF / OMFInterchange formats that carry edit information. Needed when your editor works on the track further.
• WAV 48 kHz / 24-bitThe delivery standard for moving picture. MP3 for approvals and previews only, never for the final mix.
• Room toneThe silence of the recording room. Delivered with the take so the edit can fill gaps without them sounding like holes.

How the price is built