The Hive Studios LLC - Terms of Service

Effective Date: 08/17/2025 | Last Updated: 10/17/2025

1. Definitions

For purposes of this Agreement:

“The Hive” means The Hive Studios LLC, its owners, officers, directors, employees, contractors, agents, successors, and affiliates.
“Member” means any individual or entity that purchases, subscribes to, or is granted access to any membership, plan, package, or service provided by The Hive.
“Studio Services” means recording, mixing, mastering, production, or any related creative or technical services provided by The Hive.
“Artist Fast Track Program” refers to The Hive’s structured artist development pathway, consisting of Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3.
“Phase” means a designated stage within the Artist Fast Track Program.
“Session” means any reserved period of studio access, with or without an engineer, booked through The Hive.
“Publishing Services” means administrative services such as registration of works, royalty collection, and licensing support.
“Engineer” means an audio engineer assigned to a Member’s session. An Entry-Level Engineer is defined as an engineer currently progressing through The Hive’s Engineering Development Program with limited years of professional experience. An Experienced Engineer is defined as an engineer who has completed a higher stage of the Engineering Development Program and/or has multiple years of proven experience as an audio engineer in a professional setting.
“Fundraising Commission” means the amount of money retained by The Hive for managing and hosting fundraising campaigns, calculated as a percentage of the Member’s fundraising goal.

2. Overview

The Hive operates as a professional recording studio and creative hub, providing:

Membership-based access to Studio Services.
Business formation and publishing administration.
Artist development through the Artist Fast Track Program.
Industry exposure opportunities through vetted partner companies.
Regular program and development check-ins with Members.

Important Notices:

The Artist Fast Track Program is not a record label or management agency and makes no guarantee of placements, contracts, income, or professional outcomes.
Instructional lessons (e.g., songwriting or instrument classes) are not included unless expressly stated in writing.

3. Eligibility

Membership is open to individuals aged 18+; under 18 requires verifiable parental/guardian consent.
Members must maintain accurate, current contact and billing information.
The Hive may deny, suspend, or terminate membership or services for any lawful reason, including breach of conduct, non-payment, or misrepresentation.

4. Services Provided

Depending on membership and phase, Members may access:

Studio Services (recording, mixing, mastering).
Business Formation (copyright registration, LLC support).
Publishing Administration (PRO, MLC, SoundExchange registrations).
Industry Pitching (submissions to vetted partners at The Hive’s discretion).
Fundraising Assistance (strategy, investor decks, crowdfunding support). Provided only to Members who secure a pending contract or deal that requires capital upfront.
Regular program and development check-ins.

The Hive may modify, suspend, or discontinue services with reasonable notice where practicable.

5. Membership Plans & Programs

The Hive offers the following plans and programs available to the public:

1. Artist Fast Track Program

Starter Plan — entry-level plan tied to Phase 1, which includes access to an Entry-Level Engineer.
Standard Plan — core plan tied to Phase 2, which includes access to a More Experienced Engineer for recording and mixing.
Standard Plan with Business Formation Services — includes business formation and publishing administration support, available beginning in Phase 2 and beyond.

2. Studio Access Plan

The Studio Access Plan is designed for artists seeking limited, entry-level access without committing to a full development pathway.
This plan is offered in two options:
- Basic (8 hours) — includes access to an Entry-Level Engineer.
- Plus (8 hours) — includes access to a More Experienced Engineer.
Both plans provide the same total session time; the difference lies in the experience level of the assigned engineer.
Members on the Studio Access Plan may purchase additional 8-hour bundles as needed, subject to availability and The Hive’s approval.

3. Independent Creator Packages (ICP)

16-hour package, 24-hour package, 32-hour package
Basic and Plus Level Engineers may be purchased in 4-hour blocks to provide in-house engineering support during Independent Creator sessions.
Additional full-time or part-time arrangements may be available upon management approval.

All plans are subject to The Hive’s general policies, including booking rules, guest policies, payments, and conduct requirements as outlined in this Agreement.

6. Artist Fast Track Program (Phases)

Phase 1 (0–3 Months)

Plan: Starter Plan — includes access to an Entry-Level Engineer.

Requirements:

Use ≥ 75% of hours.
Record 12–16 demo tracks and write 5+ songs.
Perform at least one live show (video proof).
Attend ≥ 2 regular check-ins regarding the progress of their program and development.
Establish artistic identity, sound, and goals.

Soft Pitch Overview

At the conclusion of Phase 1, The Hive will conduct a Soft Pitch Review of the Member’s

catalog and artist development progress.

The Soft Pitch is a curated presentation of the Member’s material and artist profile to vetted

partner companies within The Hive’s network. This review determines whether the Member’s

work is ready for formal industry engagement and advancement into Phase 2.

Each project is evaluated through three key barriers:

1. Technical Barrier – Focuses on songwriting and demo quality, including composition

structure, lyrical cohesion, melody, and vocal performance. This barrier is assessed

internally by The Hive’s engineering staff, who evaluate whether the songs are properly

written, arranged, and recorded to a professional demo standard suitable for pitching.

2. Consumer Barrier – Gauges listener response, relatability, and audience appeal. This

barrier is assessed by a third-party focus group coordinated by The Hive, consisting of

listeners within the artist’s target demographic. Their feedback helps determine whether

the material connects with consumers and holds replay value.

3. Marketable Barrier – Examines commercial viability, branding strength, and

label-readiness. This barrier is assessed in collaboration with The Hive’s partner label

and management companies, who evaluate whether the project aligns with market

trends, genre demand, and potential partnership opportunities.

Only after all three barriers are successfully passed may the Artist move on to Phase 2 of the

Artist Fast Track Program.

If a partner expresses written interest, The Hive will facilitate a meeting with the interested

company to discuss what they would like to see from the Artist and will mediate that information

back to the Member.

Phase 2 (4–12 Months)

Plan: Standard Plan — includes access to a More Experienced Engineer for recording and

mixing.

Requirements:

Use ≥ 80% of hours.
Produce a 5–6 song EP and write 10–12 new songs.
Perform at least three live shows.
Build an EPK (bio, demos, brand assets).
Attend 1–2 regular check-ins per month regarding the progress of their program and development.

Optional Add-On: Standard Plan with Business Formation Services.

Pitch: Formal presentation to partners with goal of a written pending contract.

Phase 3 (12–18 Months) — Fundraising Phase

Plan: A 10% Fundraising Commission will be added to the total fundraising goal and retained

by The Hive (see Section 9: Payments).

Requirements:

Maintain a pending contract with a vetted partner company.
Work with The Hive to plan and execute a fundraising campaign if capital is required to activate the pending contract.

Objectives:

Build and launch a comprehensive fundraising strategy (crowdfunding, investor outreach, sponsorships).
Create and finalize split sheets for all collaborative works, ensuring ownership is properly documented.
Complete and protect the Member’s catalog through proper registrations (copyright, PRO, MLC, publishing).
Develop the legal and business infrastructure required for rollout (LLC, publishing administration, banking).
Position the Member to activate and fulfill the terms of their pending contract.
Phase 3 is focused solely on business setup and fundraising activities.

7. Exit Criteria

Phase 1 Completion: Members must secure written partner interest to advance. Those without interest may remain on a Hive membership plan but are ineligible for Phase 2. If a waitlist exists, such Members will be removed.
Phase 2 Completion: Members who do not secure a written pending contract exit the Artist Fast Track Program.
Independent Creator Option: Exited Members may purchase an Independent Creator Package to maintain studio access.
Re-Pitch Pathway: Independent Creator Members may resubmit demos for publishing consideration every three (3) months, provided they show catalog growth or new development.

8. Booking & Session Policies

Bookings must be made through The Hive’s designated engineer or online system.
Sessions begin and end at scheduled times; setup/teardown occur within the booked duration.
Cancellations less than 24 hours in advance forfeit time; no-shows billed in full.
Hours do not roll over without written approval from management.
Subletting, resale, or unauthorized transfer of time is prohibited.
Collaboration time is split evenly between Members; each Member is jointly and severally responsible for resulting obligations.

9. Payments

Memberships are billed monthly in advance; hourly services billed at booking or immediately after.
Late/failed payments result in immediate suspension until resolved.
All payments are non-refundable except where required by law.

For Members entering Phase 3 (Fundraising Phase):
- A 10% Fundraising Commission will be added to the total fundraising goal and retained by The Hive.
- If fundraising goals are not met, all capital raised up until that point will be returned to sponsors.
- Failure to meet goals will result in the pending contract being void and the Artist’s program ending.

10. Studio Rules & Conduct

Members and guests must comply with all posted and communicated rules.
No smoking or illegal substances on premises.
Alcohol and vaping are permitted only with The Hive’s prior approval.
No unauthorized recording of third parties.
Violations may result in removal without refund.

11. Guest Policy

Phase 2 Members in the Artist Fast Track Program and Studio Access Members receive one (1) guest pass per month.
Independent Creator Package Members have unlimited guest passes, subject to a maximum of ten (10) guests per session.
Guest passes are non-transferable and do not roll over to future months.
All guests must be checked in upon arrival and comply with The Hive’s Studio Rules & Conduct (see Section 10).
Members are fully responsible for the conduct, behavior, and compliance of their guests.
Management reserves the right to further restrict guest numbers for safety, capacity, or operational reasons.

12. Storage of Materials

Members are solely responsible for backing up their files.
The Hive stores active sessions on internal drives and archives inactive sessions on long-term storage; cloud storage may be available upon request.
The Hive is not liable for data loss or corruption beyond this stated policy.
Members are responsible for maintaining insurance or personal coverage for their own equipment brought into The Hive.

13. Intellectual Property

Members retain 100% ownership of Masters and compositions unless otherwise agreed in a separate writing.
The Hive retains publishing administration rights in perpetuity, throughout the universe, and this includes a share of royalties generated from publishing activities.
The Hive may use recordings, images, or likenesses of works for promotional purposes only after obtaining both written and verbal consent from the Member.

14. Liability & Damage

Members and guests are financially responsible for any damage, theft, or loss to The Hive’s property.
The Hive is not liable for injury, property damage, or financial loss, except in cases of proven gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Members are responsible for ensuring they have appropriate insurance or personal coverage for their own equipment brought into The Hive.

15. Legal & Dispute Resolution

Governing Law: Texas.
Dispute Process: good-faith negotiation → mediation → binding arbitration in Harris County, Texas.
The Hive may revise these Terms at any time; Members will be notified of revisions via email or posted notice, and continued use constitutes acceptance.
If any provision is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder remains in full force.

16. Acknowledgment & Acceptance

By enrolling in any plan, package, or service, the Member affirms they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms of Service, which constitute a binding legal agreement.

Mark Zamora

Owner | The Hive Studios

mark@thehive-studios.com

346.313.5395