Sync Licensing Royalties Explained (Music Synchronization).
Did you know that you could be making money from your music every time it is played on radio, Tv, restaurants, clubs, pubs, etc?
In this article I would be taking you through the processes on how you can license your music and make money from synchronization.
What is sync licensing?
Sync is an abbreviation for synchronization and it is the process whereby songs / Music are combined with moving images or multimedia (film, Tv series, trailers, adverts, etc.
In other words, sync licensing is the process of getting your music into movie soundtrack, TV shows, video games, adverts, amongst others.
Anytime a particular music is used to support a visual content, synchronization made it possible. This include music being pitched in TV programmes, films , radio commercials, music used in games such as FIFA, advertisements, etc.
NB: It is the responsibility of a music publisher to pitch your music to relevant music supervisors and grant them a sync license should they decide to use your music.
Music supervisors play vital roles in getting music licensed and selected for production in a movie.
A music publisher and supervisor play separate roles but they work hand in hand.
READ: The Concept Of Music Distribution Explained
What is a Music Supervisor?
A Music Supervisor is the head of the music faculty of a film or television show and it is their sole responsibility to select and license music for the production (Music synchronization).
Most often, Music Supervisors work as freelancers on a project basis whilst others are employed by production companies or music-supervision companies.
Music supervisors track sync license royalties through a system called “Cue Sheets”.
It is the responsibility of the music supervisor to make sure that all artists are well credited and receive royalties for any music used in a production, through a cue sheet.
Dave Jordan, Randall Poster, George Drakoulias, and Tom MacDougall are amongst the top grossing music supervisors at the Domestic Box Office.
READ: Who is a Music Curator? 4 Things to Know Before Becoming a Music Curator
Importance Of Sync Licensing
1. Music synchronization helps composers (Artists, song writers and producers) make money from their crafts.
One great thing you need to know about sync deal is that, it pays better than physical music sales, especially when your music is re-used on multiple platforms.
Again, anytime your music is reproduced in any form of visual media, you would receive royalties for that. For example, if your music is used in a radio advertisement, you would be paid royalties each time the advert is reproduced with your music.
2. Music Synchronization helps musicians to increase their reach on the digital space. For instance, when your music is used as a movie soundtrack, you would buy into the audience of that very movie in the digital space. People can use Shazam to search for your music and they might become your fans in the long run.
Again, once your music is synchronized, potential fans can find and use your music on various music streaming and social media platforms.
3. Music sync makes your music available and accessible in all countries without limitation and you are able to track performance from anywhere you find yourself.
Again, should anyone uses your music illegitimately you would be able to find them through a single app.
READ: How Music Royalties Work: The concept of music royalties (001)
How Sync Licensing Royalties Work.
Sync Licensing Royalties are quick becoming profitable for music artists. To put it plainly, “Sync Royalties” happen when music is played by a permit holder.
At the point when this music is played simultaneously with the medium the license permits. Thus the name of the royalty… “Synchronization” otherwise known as “Sync Royalties”.
To comprehend sync royalties, you initially need to be aware of music synchronization licenses completely. This is on the grounds that in the music business, both fortunately and unfortunately, everything revolves around licensing!
Assuming you ace this you can open your actual acquiring power as an artist. What’s more, shield yourself from awful arrangements.
As a music creator, you own six copyrights as far as you create original contents. The following are the 6 types of copyrights a music creator can have;
- Distribution
- Replication
- Public performance
- The right to create derivative works
- Public display
- Digital transmission
READ: Types Of Music Streaming Royalties (Course 002)
Can An Artist Handle His Own Copyrights?
The answer is yes, an artist can license his own music, however he can do that through music publisher (Publishing Rights Organization) such as IBM and Ascab.
Why does a licensee wants to sync your music?
Sync license is granted to copyright holders for the use of a musical composition and it allows the licensee to use the agreed-upon music.
Usually, the licensee will use this music with some kind of visual media. Such as:
- Film
- Television
- Advertisements
- Video games
- Website music
- Movie trailers
- Radio
- + More
How to get paid from synchronization license?
A sync music license pays a royalty to the copyright holder (owner) of the piece (song).
As a music craftsman, you reserve the privilege to permit any unique music that you make. You can do this without anyone else’s help. However, generally, you will observe a permitting specialist or a music distributer who can deal with it for you.
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Assuming you have composed a tune and you have not sold the right, you are the publisher. As the owner, this implies you can likewise choose to sell these rights
Nonetheless, when synchronization rights are sold, the tune will have new owner, other than the original composer or publisher.
Watch the video below for detailed Synch licensing royalties.
