Sync Licensing 101: I’m going to try and break this down as concise as I can
What is Sync Licensing?
Sync Licensing = pairing and or synchronizing music to a visual
🎯 TV Shows
🎯 Movies
🎯 Commercials
🎯 Ads
🎯 Games
This exploits the composition and master rights of a song with the goal of enhancing a viewers experience.
Some Key Players You’ll Want to Know For Sync Licensing
Music Supervisors
They work closely with show producers/directors and help enhance their vision musically.
They are responsible for
🎯 Finding the right music that fits the project’s mood(s).
🎯 Ensuring the music is legal and can be cleared for use in the project.
🎯 Negotiating Sync Licenses; fees, duration of use, etc.
Music Library/Publisher
Responsibilities
🎯 Handle music and song registration with P.R.O
🎯 Finding licensing opportunities for music they represent
🎯 Negotiate compensation for artists/composers/music they represent
Signing With a Music Library/Publisher
These deals are more flexible compared to traditional music publishing agreements. Unlike the rigid terms of standard deals, your music can be signed on either an exclusive or non-exclusive basis. This allows the creator (YOU), to work with multiple music publishers at the same time while continuing to pursue your own projects.
There are 2 sides to a song or work.
🎯 Writers/Composer Share
🎯 Publisher Share
👉🏽 Music Publisher will typically take the publisher’s share
Music Editors: What Do They Do?
🎯Integrate Music and fx into visual media such as tv/film
Some wear many hats.
Great individuals to know I’ve come across several on instagram and Threads
Performance Rights Organizations (P.R.O.s)
Their Responsibilities
🎯 Collect and distribute public performance royalties to right holders
List of some P.R.O.s 👇🏽
🎯 ASCAP – USA
🎯 BMI – USA
🎯 SESAC – USA
🎯 GMR – USA
🎯 SOCAN – Canada
🎯 PRS – UK
🎯 GEMA – Germany
🎯 SACEM – France
🎯 SAMRO – South Africa
🎯 STIM – Sweden
Find the (P.R.O.) specific to your country.
The Sync Licensing Process: Tying It All Together
🎯 Music supervisor works with end user (example show producer)
🎯 A brief is curated outlining what type of music is needed
🎯 Music supervisor shoots brief → Publishers → Music Creators
🎯 Compensation is negotiated
🎯 Briefs are filled, cue sheets are sent to P.R.O outlining music used/right holders of said music
🎯 P.R.O. tracks performances and sends Royalty payments to right holders
Different Types Of Licenses In Sync
Here are a few different types of licenses 👇🏽
🎯 Background Instrumental
🎯 Background Vocal
🎯 Source
🎯 Visual Instrumental
🎯 Visual Vocal
🎯 Visual Dance
How Money Is Made In Sync Licensing
Artists and Music producers pay attention
🎯 Sync License Fee or Sync Fee: This is a negotiable 1 time fee paid upfront for the right to synchronize your music with the visual.
🎯 Performance Royalties: Also known as the backend or backend royalties. Whenever a visual piece is broadcasted using your music, you get paid.
How much you’re paid depends on
👉🏽 Duration of usage
👉🏽 Type of Use
👉🏽 Location
👉🏽 Type of license
👉🏽 Licensing agreement
Where To Find Sync Music Libraries/Music Publishers
🎯 TV Credits: Will list publishers and music supervisors
🎯 Search Terms: Music libraries, Sync Libraries, Music Publisher Listings.
Use those search terms, or similar combinations in any search engine (Google, yahoo Instagram, Threads, etc).
Sync Licensing Terms Beat Makers Should Know
If you’re planning on getting into sync licensing, knowing the terminology is key to keeping conversations smooth. Not to scare you, but some music publishers might lose interest if you lack basic knowledge of the field and its terms. I’ve got your back, though, so no need to stress
1. Brief
A brief is like placing an order at a restaurant. Just as you’d request a medium rare steak with specific sides, a music brief details what the client wants: genre, tempo, length, mood and deadline!. Sometimes, you’ll even be told which TV show or ad it’s for and how the music will be used.
2. Music Cue
A music cue is music written and/or edited for use in TV, film, games, and ads. It can be a full song or instrumental, with the goal of enhancing scenes; love, action, big reveals, cliffhangers, etc.
3. Masters
This refers to the actual audio recording. The finished 2 track bounce that everyone hits play is the Master.
4. One Stop
This means you control the song/track (master and publishing rights) and have the power to negotiate.
5. P.R.O. (Performing Rights Organizations)
These are organizations that track and collect performance royalties for their members. Two of the biggest are ASCAP and BMI.
6. Perpetuity
Think of perpetuity as a marriage between your music cues and sync placements. Once your music is placed, the connections with the placement stays intact, even if you end your contract (divorce) with the music publisher. This means any music pitched or placed before the “divorce” keeps its splits and revenue shares in place.
7. Samples
If you take a snippet from an old-school track and use it in your beat, that’s a sample. Before you drop it, you have to make sure it’s cleared—meaning the original owner gave you permission. Otherwise, it’s a no-go for sync deals or streaming.
8. Split Sheet
This is a simple agreement outlining the number of writers and their ownership percentages of a music cue.
9. Sync Fee
A sync fee is upfront money you receive when your music is licensed for use in a visual. For an example; film, TV show, video game, ad, or similar media.
10. Royalties
Royalties are payments you earn every time your music is played publicly. This can happen through TV shows and their re-runs, Netflix series, radio, or stores. As long as the media featuring your music continues to air/stream, you’ll continue earning royalties.
