Music Business & Contracts

Sync License

Permission to use a song in visual media — film, TV, advertising, video games, or online content.

A sync (synchronization) license grants the right to pair a musical composition with visual media. A separate master use license is needed for the specific recording of that composition.

Sync placements can be extremely lucrative — a single TV placement can earn more than years of streaming. Fees range from a few hundred dollars for independent content to six figures for major film and advertising.

For independent artists and producers, sync is increasingly accessible through music libraries, sync agents, and direct pitching. Having clean stems available makes your music more attractive to sync supervisors.

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