What is a Synchronization License?

TLDR (Key Summary)

• Sync licensing lets you place your music in film, TV, ads, and games.
• You need two rights covered: the sync license (for your song) and the master license (for your recording).
• Fees start low (think $100) for indie projects, and can hit $50,000-plus for big placements.
• Artists who win at sync are the ones who prep their files, know their contracts, and stay in control.
• Melody Rights helps you reach sync companies, keep your rights clear, and track every royalty.

How to Submit Your Music for Sync

Want your music in film, TV, ads, or games?

Let’s break down how sync licensing really works, what you could earn, and how to actually get your songs in front of the people making decisions. No gatekeepers. No sugarcoating.

Why Not You?

You’ve seen it before. Some indie track ends up in a Netflix show. Maybe a friend lands their song in a commercial. It always looks like sync is only for people with connections or who write music just for TV.

But most placements go to songs that started as honest passion projects. Albums, singles, even bedroom demos.

So what’s really stopping you?

You probably already have music that would fit in film, TV, ads, or games. The real roadblock is usually paperwork and confusing sync talk, not your sound.

Let’s clear up what matters: 

• What is a sync license? 
• Why should you care?
• And how does it unlock new paths for your music?

There’s more to sync than just getting your music heard.

If you don’t know how it works, you can miss payments or accidentally give up your rights. A single contract mistake or the wrong box ticked could mean lost money or your song showing up in places you never agreed to.

No matter your genre, your tracks could fit film and TV. The important thing is knowing how to prep, pitch, and protect your work.

Where This Guide Fits In

This article is Part 1 of our sync licensing series.

Part 1: (You’re Here) What Is a Synchronization License
Introduces the basics of sync. What it is, which rights are involved, and why it matters for independent artists.

Part 2: How to Submit Music for Film and TV
Explains the pitching process. How to prepare your files, where to send them, and who to reach out to.

Part 3: How to Get Sync Placements (Even When No One Emails Back)
Covers the waiting stage. Why silence happens, what it really means, and how to stay ready for opportunities.

The Sync Dream (and the Confusion That Comes With It)

Sync can feel like new territory for indie artists. The promise is real. New fans, real payouts. But the details can get confusing fast.

You start reading up, and pretty soon you’re seeing terms everywhere: “synchronization license agreement,” “sync licensing opportunities,” and more. Everyone makes it sound simple, but once you dig in, there’s a wall of legal talk and fear about giving up control.

This isn’t just about bragging rights. One wrong move, and you can lose royalties, miss out on credit, or see your music turn up in places you never expected.

What’s really at stake?

Sync and performance royalties are rising fast. Last year, MIDiA Research reported a 17% increase in these “other” music income streams. That growth beat both streaming and vinyl.
Source: MIDiA Research, 2024 Recorded Music Market Report.

This growth brings new opportunities for indie artists. But to benefit, you need to know how sync works and what each deal means for your royalties. If you miss the basics, you risk losing money or control over your songs.

This guide is here to help you move from confusion to confidence, so you can actually use sync licensing to your advantage.

So let’s get into the basics.

What is a Synchronization License?

What is a Synchronization License?

A sync license is simple. It gives someone permission to use your song in film, TV, ads, games, or anything where your music is matched to pictures.

Here’s the part that trips up a lot of artists. The sync license only covers your song. -The melody, lyrics, and chords you wrote. If someone wants to use your actual recording, the track people hear on Spotify or a CD, they also need a master license.

The easy way to remember this:
The sync license is like the recipe.
The master license is the finished cake.

Both are needed for a real sync deal. That’s how you get paid.

A sync agreement is just a contract. It lists which song is being used, where and how it will play, for how long, and what you’ll earn. Getting these details clear is how you protect your music and make sure you get paid for every use.

Glossary: Key Sync Licensing Terms Every Artist Should Know

Master Rights

This is ownership of your finished recording. If you hold the master rights, you call the shots on who can use, license, or release your track.

Master License

This is permission from whoever owns the recording. If someone wants to use your track in their project, they need this from you. It’s needed for sync, sampling, or any use of the actual recording.

Master Royalties

Money paid to you when your recording is used. -Like for streaming, downloads, sales, or sync deals. If you own the master, you get paid.

PRO (Performing Rights Organization)

A PRO collects royalties whenever your song is played in public. This includes radio, TV, clubs, or live shows. Some examples: PRS, BMI, ASCAP.

ISRC (International Standard Recording Code)

This is a unique code for each version of your song. It tracks your plays, your payments, and your copyright info. 

Every new mix or recording needs its own code. ​​Every recording needs its own ISRC. Learn how to get yours in our guide to registering your music.

Metadata

All the info that travels with your song file: title, artist, writers, splits, ISRC, and more. If your metadata isn’t right, you could miss out on money or get lost in the system. 

If your metadata isn’t accurate, you could miss payments, this guide shows you how to fix it.

Publishing Rights

These are the rights for your song’s melody and lyrics, not the recording. You can manage these yourself, or you can use a publisher. Publishing rights are separate from recordings. Learn how they work in our music registration guide.

How to Submit Your Music for Sync Licensing

How Sync Licensing Works: Step by Step

Getting your music placed isn’t rocket science, but every step counts. Here’s what the journey usually looks like:

Someone finds your track.

Maybe it’s a music supervisor digging through playlists, a brand looking for a certain vibe, or someone scrolling past your song on Melody Rights. Out of nowhere, your music fits what they need.

They reach out to clear the rights.

Now comes the email or DM. They need permission for both your song (the sync license) and your recording (the master license). Sometimes they ask you, sometimes your publisher, sometimes your label.

You talk through the details.

This is where things get real. Which track are they using? What’s the project? How long will they use it? Where will it show up- TV, web, something global? And, of course, what’s the fee? All of this gets written into the sync agreement, so you know what’s allowed and what you’re owed.

Both sides sign.

You look over the terms and everyone signs off. Once you both agree, it’s official.

You deliver the files.

Here’s a place where artists lose deals. You’ll need to send the final recording, but sometimes they also want instrumentals, stems, or a clean version. If your files are scattered or missing, you could lose the opportunity. Being organized is half the battle.

You get paid.

After the paperwork is in, the sync fee hits your account. Sometimes all at once, sometimes in a couple of payments.

The royalties keep rolling in.

If your song gets used on TV or film, you could keep earning performance royalties every time it airs. Make sure you’re registered with your PRO (like PRS, BMI, or ASCAP) so you never miss a payment.

For example, if an artist isn’t registered with a PRO when their song gets placed, they might not see a dime from broadcast royalties. Don’t let that be you.

Tip:

The best indie artists aren’t just creative, they’re organized. Having your files and rights sorted up front makes the whole process smoother and gets you paid faster.
Read more about royalties here.

Where Most Artists Hit a Wall

Writing and recording? That’s the fun part.

The tough stuff is the admin:

• contracts
  
• splits
  
• metadata
  
• lost files
  
• chasing payments
  

A single mistake can block a deal or make your royalties disappear.
It’s rarely about the music. Most deals fall through because of missing paperwork, unclear splits, or files not ready when someone finally says yes.
Sometimes, artists don’t even know their track got placed until it’s too late to get paid.

How Melody Rights Makes Sync Easier

This is what Melody Rights was built for.

Upload your tracks once.
We double-check your splits, organize your files, and make sure every track is registered the right way.

When someone wants your music, it’s all set. – No scramble, no buried emails.

If your song lands a placement, we track your royalties so you see every cent.
You always know where your money is and what’s happening with your rights.

With Melody Rights, you’re still in control.
We just take care of the admin headaches, so you can focus on making music.

Common Sync Mistakes (and How to Dodge Them)

Even your best track can miss out if the admin isn’t sorted. Here’s what trips up most indie artists, and how you can stay ahead:

Disorganized files:

Your track is finished, but maybe the stems are scattered, the instrumental is missing, or the file names don’t match. If a music supervisor can’t find what they need right away, the opportunity can disappear.
Keep everything in one place. That means final mix, instrumental, clean version, stems—all labeled clearly and ready to send.

Unclear splits:

Maybe you wrote the song, but a friend played guitar or someone else helped with the production. If nobody’s sure who owns what, the deal can fall apart. 

Figure out the splits early and write them down. Even a quick email will do. If you’re not sure how, check out our guide on submitting music for film and TV without losing your rights.

Broken metadata:

You’ve got a great track, but the file is missing info like the ISRC, writer credits, or contact details. When that happens, royalties can go missing, too.
Fill in every detail for each file: ISRC, songwriter names, PRO information, and a way for people to reach you. If you need help, here’s a guide to registering your music properly.

Signing too fast:

A contract shows up and you sign on the spot. Sometimes that means you’re giving away more than you realize, or missing out on future income. 

Take your time. Read everything. Ask questions if anything feels off, or get a second opinion before you commit. It’s worth the effort.

Not registering with a PRO:

Your song gets placed, but you’re not registered with a performing rights organization. That can mean missing out on royalties from TV or radio. 

Sign up with a PRO like PRS, ASCAP, or BMI, and make sure every song is registered. It’s one of the simplest ways to make sure you get paid.

Melody Rights helps you avoid these traps. We handle your files, confirm your splits, clean up your metadata, and get your tracks registered. You keep your focus on making music. We make sure it’s ready to land and ready to earn.

How Much Does a Sync License Cost?

You don’t need a label deal to earn real money from sync.
But you do need to understand how pricing works, so you can license your music with confidence and not get shortchanged.

Sync fees can vary a lot.
It depends on the project, how your song is used, and whether you own both the song and the recording.

Typical Sync Fee Ranges

Note: These fees cover both sync and master. Real-world deals vary depending on usage, rights ownership, and song profile.

Think of it like a money bar: it starts in the low hundreds for student work and rises to six figures for a global trailer or ad.

Where do these numbers come from?
The 2024 Synchtank report says sync licensing is still one of the strongest income streams for musicians, especially for TV, ads, and brand work.
DeNovo Agency notes that sync fees for TV placements typically range from $5,000 to $10,000.
And according to Benjamin Groff, owning both the song and the recording (a one-stop track) can open the door to five-figure deals, especially in trailers and ads.

What Is a One-Stop Track?

A one-stop track means you own both the song and the recording. You can license your music without waiting for anyone else’s approval. Music supervisors love this because it makes deals cleaner and faster.

Here’s what that can earn:

• TV placements: usually $2,000 to $5,000
  
• National ads and trailers: often ten times that
  

Key Takeaways for Indie Artists

• Sync fees aren’t fixed. They depend on your rights, your sound, and the project’s scope.
  
• One-stop tracks make deals smoother and can pay more.
  
• Even small sync placements can turn into steady royalty income.
  
• Submit through Melody Rights and you keep control over your rights and pricing, with your catalog always pitch-ready.
  

How Does Sync Licensing Work for Independent Artists?

You don’t need a different sound for sync. What matters most is having a plan and being ready.

1. Make Your Music Sync-Ready

Your music doesn’t have to be written for film or TV. If the production is strong and the emotion hits, it can work. Even demos and deep cuts have potential.

2. Know What Rights You Own

For a sync deal, you need two things sorted out:

• Who owns the song (composition)?
  
• Who owns the recording (master)?
  

If you created everything yourself, you probably own both. If you worked with others, agree on the splits and get it in writing.
If you’re not sure about this, here’s our guide on submitting music for film and TV without losing your rights.

3. Get Your Files and Metadata in Order

A deal can fall through if your files are messy or missing info.
You’ll need the final mix, instrumental, clean version, and stems. Each file should have clear details: song title, artist name, ISRC, PRO info, writer credits, and your contact.

Melody Rights can store and organize everything, so you’re always ready.

4. Submit When an Opportunity Pops Up

Reach out directly to sync companies or use platforms that connect you with supervisors. Always check the agreement for exclusivity before saying yes.

5. Move Quickly When There’s Interest

Music supervisors work fast. If you can’t send files or paperwork quickly, the chance might slip away.
Have your files ready and know what the agreement covers: the project, how long your music will be used, where it will appear, and the payment.

6. Get Paid and Track Royalties

You’ll usually get a sync fee when you sign. Sometimes it’s split between the song and recording. If you own both, you often get paid together.

When you own both rights, it’s called a “one-stop track.” That makes it simple for music supervisors to work with you.

7. Keep an Eye on Your Royalties

Upfront payment is great, but the story doesn’t end there. If your song gets more use, you can keep earning performance royalties from TV airings or streaming.

Melody Rights can help register your tracks and track every payment, so nothing gets missed.

Tip:
Having a plan makes everything easier. Focus on making music, and if you want backup on the business side, Melody Rights is always here when you need it.

FAQ: Sync Licensing for Indie Artists

Here are the questions most indie artists ask when they’re exploring sync for the first time.

Final Take: Sync Isn’t Just a Dream, It’s a Revenue Stream

You don’t need a label, a manager, or a music degree to land sync deals. What matters is being prepared. Know your rights. Have your files ready. And connect with someone who actually understands sync licensing.

That’s where Melody Rights helps. We handle the back-end so real artists can get real placements and keep what they earn. If you have a catalog of songs and don’t know where to start, you’re in the right place.

You already did the hard part. You made the music.
Let’s help you get it synced.

Submit your music for sync

Once you understand what a sync license is, the next step is learning how to actually pitch your music. Read our guide on submitting your music for film and TV. And if you’ve already submitted and are waiting in silence, here’s what to do after you submit your music for sync