Sync Licensing Basics: How Musicians Can Get Their Music in TV, Commercials & Video Games

Interested in getting your music featured in TV, commercials, movies, video games, trailers, and more? You’ve come to the right place.

Sync licensing can open up a whole new world of opportunities for independent artists. Not only can it help your music reach new audiences, but it can also create additional revenue through upfront fees and backend royalties. Symphonic’s CEO, Jorge Brea, is here to explain everything you need to know about the basics of sync licensing and how to get started.

Here’s the rundown…

What Is Sync Licensing?

Sync licensing in the music business refers to synchronizing a piece of music with visual media. This can include movies, TV episodes, commercials, video games, trailers, online videos, and more.

In simple terms, a sync license gives someone permission to use your music alongside a visual project. For example, if a music supervisor wants to use your song in a TV scene or an ad agency wants to use it in a commercial, they need to secure the proper rights before that placement can happen.

The Basics

Licensing is the process of getting permission from the rights holders to use the music in a specific project. For sync placements, there are usually two sides involved: the master recording and the underlying composition.

Who owns the rights?

• The Master owners: These are the owners of the sound recording. This may be the artist, label, distributor, or another party depending on the deal.
• The Publishing owners: These are the owners of the underlying musical composition, including the songwriters and publishers.

What licenses are required?

• A Master Use License for using the master recording with visual media.
• A Synchronization License for using the underlying musical composition with visual media.

Most sync placements require both approvals. That means the person or company licensing the song needs permission from whoever controls the master and whoever controls the publishing. If you control both sides, your song may be easier to clear, which can make it more attractive for sync opportunities.

How Do Musicians Get Paid From Sync Licensing?

When you secure a placement, you may receive an upfront fee, backend royalties, or both.

Sync fees

A sync fee is typically paid upfront for the right to use your music in a specific project. The amount can vary depending on the type of placement, the length of use, the media, the territory, and how long the license will last.

For example, a national commercial will usually pay differently than a short online video or a background use in a TV scene. Every opportunity is different, which is why having the right licensing partner can help you understand the value of the placement and negotiate properly.

Backend royalties

Backend royalties are performance royalties generated when your music is publicly performed. This can happen when a TV episode airs, a commercial runs, or a program is broadcast in certain markets.

These royalties are typically processed through your registered PRO, such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. As long as your songs are properly registered with a PRO, you are eligible to collect performance royalties when your music is used in qualifying public performances.

How Does a Sync Placement Work?

Every placement is different, but the process usually starts with a music supervisor, agency, production company, or brand looking for the right song to match a scene, campaign, or creative brief.

From there, they review tracks, check whether the rights are clear, negotiate the terms, and finalize the paperwork. Once the license is approved, the song can be used in the project.

Here’s a simplified version of how it works:

1. A music supervisor or agency searches for music that fits a project.
2. Your song is pitched for the opportunity.
3. The supervisor or agency confirms that the master and publishing rights can be cleared.
4. The license terms and fee are negotiated.
5. The paperwork is completed.
6. Your music is placed in the project.
7. You receive payment based on the terms of the deal, and eligible backend royalties may be collected through your PRO.

Getting Started with Symphonic

With Symphonic, you can start with sync licensing through our in-house division, Bodega Sync.

Once accepted, your music is pitched to music supervisors, advertising agencies, brands, and other creative partners. Bodega Sync negotiates licensing deals, completes the necessary paperwork, and helps make sure you get paid properly.

This is especially helpful because sync can move quickly. When a supervisor needs a song, they often need to know right away whether the track can be cleared. Having your rights, metadata, and files organized makes it easier to say yes when the right opportunity comes along.

How to Prepare Your Music for Sync Opportunities

Before you start pitching your music for sync, it’s important to make sure your catalog is ready. Even a great song can miss out on a placement if the rights are unclear, the metadata is incomplete, or the right versions are not available.

There are 5 steps to prepare your music for sync:

1. Have instrumental mixes of your songs. Supervisors often need versions without vocals so dialogue or voiceovers can sit clearly over the music.
2. Know all ownership splits for publishing and master, and document them. Everyone involved should be accounted for before the song is pitched.
3. Register with a PRO. This helps you collect eligible performance royalties when your music is publicly performed.
4. Check your samples. If your song uses copyrighted samples, licensed permission is required before it can be cleared for sync.
5. Provide accurate metadata. Song titles, writers, splits, contact details, moods, genres, and version information all help make your catalog easier to search and clear.

For more details, check out our full guide on how to prepare your music for sync licensing.

Common Sync Licensing Mistakes to Avoid

Sync opportunities can be exciting, but they can also fall through if your music is not ready to be cleared. Here are a few common mistakes artists should avoid:

Unclear ownership

If there are multiple writers, producers, labels, or publishers involved, everyone needs to be properly documented. If one party cannot be found or does not approve the use, the placement may not happen.

Missing instrumental versions

Instrumentals, clean edits, and alternate mixes give editors more flexibility. The more usable versions you have ready, the easier it is for your song to fit different scenes and formats.

Uncleared samples

Samples can create major issues for sync. If your song includes a sample that has not been properly cleared, it may be too risky for a supervisor, brand, or studio to use.

Incomplete metadata

Your metadata helps people find, evaluate, and clear your music. Missing information can slow things down or make your music harder to pitch.

Feed Your Brain

Want to keep learning? Check out these helpful resources from the Symphonic blog:

• How to Optimize your Songwriting for Sync
• What You Need To Know About TV & Radio Royalties
• How to Get Heard by a Music Supervisor
• 3 Types of Royalties Involved In Music Publishing

Conclusion

Hearing your song on TV, in a movie, or in a commercial is incredibly rewarding. Even better is knowing that the right placement can help you reach new listeners, grow your catalog’s value, and create additional revenue through sync fees and royalties.

Sync licensing is not just about having great music. It is also about being prepared. When your rights are clear, your metadata is accurate, your songs are registered properly, and your files are ready to go, you give your music a better chance of being considered for the right opportunity.

Symphonic’s Bodega Sync helps place your music, negotiate licensing deals, handle paperwork, and support proper payment along the way.

Ready to get started? Apply for Sync Representation with Bodega Sync today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sync Licensing

What is sync licensing in music?

Sync licensing is the process of giving permission for a song or recording to be used with visual media, such as a TV show, film, commercial, trailer, video game, or online video.

What rights do I need for a sync placement?

Most sync placements require approval for both the master recording and the underlying composition. That means the master owner and publishing owner both need to grant permission.

How do musicians get paid from sync licensing?

Artists may earn an upfront sync fee, backend performance royalties, or both. Performance royalties are typically paid through a performing rights organization when the placement is publicly performed or broadcast.

Do I need instrumental versions of my songs for sync?

Yes. Instrumental versions, clean edits, and alternate mixes can make your music easier to pitch because editors and supervisors often need flexible versions for scenes.

Can I submit music for sync if my song has samples?

Only if every sample is properly cleared. Unlicensed samples can block a sync opportunity because all rights need to be approved before the song can be used.