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Hit Songs You Didn’t Know Were Handed Over By Your Favorite Artists

November 8, 2024

In the music industry, some of the most famous songs weren’t performed by the artists who wrote them. Think of classics like Dolly Parton’s "I Will Always Love You" or Sia’s "Diamonds."...

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Quincy Jones: A Legacy That Will Resonate Through Generations

November 5, 2024

Quincy Jones, the legendary music titan, has left us at 91, but his spirit endures through every note, melody, and rhythm he touched. From his groundbreaking production on Michael Jackson’s Thriller..

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Compression for Beatmakers

October 18, 2024

Compression is one of the most crucial tools in any beatmaker's toolkit, shaping the dynamics of your track and helping achieve that punchy, polished sound....

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The Best Beginner-Friendly DAWs for Music Production

October 18, 2024

Getting into music production can be an exciting journey, especially for beginners. With so many digital audio workstations (DAWs) available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one.

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Top 10 Mixing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

October 18, 2024

Mixing is an art form that requires not only technical skill but also a keen ear and attention to detail. Many producers and engineers fall into common traps...

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Choosing the Best CPU for Music Production

October 18, 2024

When upgrading your CPU for music production, whether you're composing orchestral scores, producing electronic music, or working with intricate multi-track projects, selecting the right processor...

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How to Create Epic Risers and Transition Effects for Electronic Music

October 11, 2024

Creating epic risers and transition effects is essential for electronic music producers to build tension and anticipation before a drop or shift in their tracks. Here’s how you can do it...

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Automating a Drum Bus in Reaper to Create Dynamic Room Effects

October 6, 2024

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EQ in Practice: How to Use Subtractive EQ to Clean Up Muddy Mixes

October 6, 2024

ixing music is an art, and one of the most essential tools for achieving clarity in a mix is the equalizer (EQ). One technique, in particular, known as subtractive EQ, can work wonders for cleaning...

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How to Manage Static Noise in High Frequencies When Compressing Vocals

October 6, 2024

One common frustration in vocal production, especially for home studio and bedroom producers, is encountering static noise in the high frequencies after compressing and brightening vocals...

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Sampling Like a Pro: How to Flip Samples and Avoid Legal Issues

October 6, 2024

Sampling has been a cornerstone of modern music production, allowing producers to reimagine and breathe new life into old tracks. Whether you're producing hip-hop, EDM, or any genre, knowing how to...

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What Makes an EQ or Compressor VST High-Quality: Insights and Examples from Pros

October 6, 2024

When selecting EQ and compressor plugins, musicians and producers look for more than just a shiny interface or brand recognition. It's all about how these tools perform in real-world scenarios...

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Understanding Music Publishing for Music Creators

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Photo Source: Canva

Understanding music publishing is crucial for artists looking to make their music a viable long-term career. This comprehensive guide explores the intricacies of music publishing and how it can become a lucrative revenue stream for artists.

Understanding Music Copyright

Music copyright is the legal right granted to the creator of a song. There are two distinct copyrights for every track:

  1. The Sound Recording (Master Rights): This refers to the copyright of the original sound recordings, often owned by the artist or the record label.
  2. The Composition (Publishing Rights): This covers the musical elements, structure, and composition of a song, typically owned by the songwriter or composer.

The Role of Music Publishing

Music publishing deals with the royalties generated by a song’s composition. A music publisher represents songwriters or composers, managing and paying out royalties from their compositions.

Types of Royalties Collected by Music Publishers:

  • Performing Royalties: Generated from live performances, including concerts, festivals, and radio plays.
  • Mechanical Royalties: Stemming from manufacturing physical copies (CDs, vinyl) and digital streams/downloads.
  • Sync Licensing Royalties: Earned when a song is used in AV media (advertisements, films, video games).

The Process of Music Publishing

Music publishing revolves around how a song is used – copied, sold, performed, or broadcast. An independent musician might attempt to claim some of these royalties without a publisher, but it's a complex and challenging task. This complexity arises from the numerous organizations globally responsible for different royalty sources.

The Importance of a Music Publisher

Music publishers have established relationships with Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) and mechanical rights collection societies worldwide. They possess the expertise to track down every potential source of royalties, ensuring that artists receive what they're owed.

What is a Performing Rights Organization (PRO)?

A PRO collects performing royalties on behalf of composers and songwriters. Examples include PRS in the UK or ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC in the USA. PROs do not collect mechanical royalties, which are managed by different organizations like MCPS in the UK or MLC and Harry Fox in the USA.

Music Publisher vs. Performing Rights Organization

While PROs are responsible for licensing and collecting performing royalties, music publishers also handle mechanical rights and sync licensing. They reduce costs by grouping copyrights together, negotiating, and licensing to digital services, broadcasters, and venues.

Finding a Music Publisher

To claim all owed royalties, an artist can sign up with a music publisher, who will handle:

  • Registering music with PROs and mechanical rights societies.
  • Collecting all types of royalties globally.
  • Pitching music for sync placements.

Conclusion

Music publishing is an integral part of the music industry, vital for ensuring that artists are compensated for their creative work. By understanding and leveraging the services of music publishers and PROs, artists can maximize their income and secure their financial future in the music industry.

FAQs

Q: Can I manage my publishing rights independently?A: While possible, managing publishing rights independently is complex. Partnering with a music publisher can provide expertise and access to a broader network for royalty collection.

Q: What steps should I take to protect my composition?A: Ensure your music is copyrighted and registered with the relevant PROs and mechanical rights societies, either independently or through a music publisher.