How to Invoice as an Audio Engineer
How to bill recording, mixing and mastering so each charge is clear, from the deposit to the final files, with a worked example.
Audio work can mix hourly and flat pricing. In this guide, recording is billed by the hour, and mixing and mastering by the song. Keep those apart on the invoice, so the artist or label can tell what each charge pays for. This guide sets it up in order, from the quote to the follow-up.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (last modified August 27, 2026) describes the work: "Broadcast, sound, and video technicians set up, operate, and maintain the electrical equipment for media programs." It adds that they "typically work indoors in radio, television, movie, and recording studios."
Worked example (sample figures; sales tax isn't included): a four-song EP. Recording is 10 hours at 60.00 an hour, or 600.00. Mixing is 4 songs at 250.00, or 1,000.00, and mastering is 4 songs at 75.00, or 300.00. The total is 600.00 + 1,000.00 + 300.00 = 1,900.00. A 50% deposit of 950.00 is billed before the first session, and the other 950.00 before the masters are delivered.
Step-by-step invoicing guide
- 1
Quote studio time, mixing and mastering separately
Give the hourly rate for recording, the price per song for mixing and mastering, and the number of mix revisions included.
- 2
Take a deposit before booking studio dates
Billed's help center says: "A payment schedule lets you add a payment plan to the invoices." Put the deposit first, then the balance with its own due date.
- 3
Log session hours as you go
Billed's time tracking page says: "Log time for each task as you work, and see how much time goes into each project." Note the date, start and end time of each session.
- 4
Bill each song's mix and master on its own line
A line per song can keep the charge clear when an artist pays for some songs only. To build those lines, Billed's mobile app page notes that you can "Add line items, your logo, and tax".
- 5
Add rentals and extra revisions on separate lines
Gear rentals, session players you paid and extra mix revisions each get a line of their own, at the price agreed on. For costs you paid for the client, Billed's help center says: "If there are any unbilled expenses of a particular client, you can add these expenses to the client's next invoice."
- 6
Send the balance invoice before the final files
Bill the remaining amount when the mixes are approved, and deliver the masters as your terms set out.
Tips for audio engineer invoicing
- Write the song titles on each line, so the artist can match charges to the tracklist.
- For hourly sessions, Billed's time tracking page says: "Create an hourly rate project, set its hourly rate, and Billed tracks the charge for each task as you log it."
- Agree on the number of mix revisions the price covers, and name the round on the line when you bill an extra one.
- Put your rescheduling terms in the quote and the invoice notes, so a moved session isn't a surprise charge. Billed's help center says of the invoice notes: "You can also add any terms and conditions in this section."
- To keep track of what's owed, Billed's invoice software page says: "Invoice reports show which invoices are paid, partially paid or past due, and you can see who owes you money and send them a payment reminder."
Common invoicing mistakes to avoid
- One flat line for a whole EP, so the artist can't see what recording, mixing and mastering cost.
- No session log behind hourly charges.
- Leaving the number of mix revisions open in the quote.
- Booking studio dates without a deposit.
- Sending the final masters before the balance invoice goes out.
How this works in Billed
Hourly Rate Projects
Billed's time tracking page says: "From the project dashboard you can invoice one task or several at once."
Payment Schedules
Billed's help center says: "Clients can pay several installments against a single invoice." and "However, the sum of all installments should be equal to the total balance of the invoice."
Card and PayPal Payments
Billed's invoice software page says you can "Create branded invoices, send them by email, take card and PayPal payments on them, and see which invoices are paid, partly paid or past due, all from one Billed account."
Record Offline Payments
Billed's invoice software page says: "When a client pays by check or cash, record it as an offline payment so all your income is in one place."
Frequently asked questions
Start Invoicing With Billed
Set up your account and send your first invoice with Billed.
At a glance
| Line | Quantity and rate | Sample amount |
|---|---|---|
| Recording | 10 hours at 60.00 | 600.00 |
| Mixing | 4 songs at 250.00 | 1,000.00 |
| Mastering | 4 songs at 75.00 | 300.00 |
| Total | 1,900.00 | |
| Deposit (50%) | Before the first session | 950.00 |
| Balance | Before the masters are delivered | 950.00 |
When this isn't for you
If the way you invoice your recording clients today already works for you, there's no need to switch.