Guide
Sync Licensing for Independent Artists
Sync is your music in a TV show, a film, an ad, or a game. It pays a fee up front and royalties after. Here is how it works and how to get your music in front of the people who place it.
The short version
- Sync means licensing your music to picture: TV, film, ads, games, trailers.
- A placement pays a sync fee up front, and performance royalties after, collected through your PRO.
- Music supervisors pick music that fits the scene, clears fast, and sounds finished.
- Your music needs to be cleared. You need to control the master and the publishing, or have the splits agreed in writing.
- Nice Set includes sync submissions. No placement is guaranteed, and no completed public placements are claimed yet.
How sync works
A music supervisor needs a song for a scene. They brief it: mood, tempo, lyrics, budget, deadline.
Your song gets pitched against others. The one that fits the scene and clears fast wins.
The placement pays a sync fee. The fee depends on the production, the usage, and the term. TV pays less than a national ad. A trailer pays more than a background cue.
After it airs, performance royalties come through your PRO. Register your songs with your PRO so those royalties find you.
How to get your music placed
- Keep your catalog organized. Finished masters, clean metadata, and the splits agreed in writing before anyone asks.
- Submit music that fits real briefs. A supervisor does not need your whole catalog. They need the right song for the scene.
- Be ready to clear fast. A supervisor will move to the next song if your clearance drags.
- Nice Set submits your music for sync consideration. Submit through the site and the team reviews it. No placement is guaranteed.
Questions artists ask
What is sync licensing?
Sync licensing is licensing your music to picture: TV, film, ads, games, and trailers. A placement pays a sync fee up front and performance royalties after.
How much does a sync placement pay?
It depends on the production, the usage, and the term. TV pays less than a national ad. Fees are negotiated per placement.
Do I keep my rights when my music is synced?
Yes. A sync license is permission to use your music in a specific production. You keep ownership of your music.
How do I submit my music for sync?
Nice Set includes sync submissions. Submit through the site and the team reviews your music for open briefs.