{"id":6,"date":"2026-04-16T20:30:53","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T20:30:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sodapoprecords.com\/v1\/?p=6"},"modified":"2026-04-29T14:25:56","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T14:25:56","slug":"new-single-checklist-for-sync-dollars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sodapoprecords.com\/v1\/new-single-checklist-for-sync-dollars\/","title":{"rendered":"New Single Checklist for SYNC Dollars"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SYNC income is one of the few revenue streams where recorded music can generate meaningful, scalable money<\/strong>\u2014especially for independent artists who understand how to package and position their work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What \u201cSYNC\u201d actually means<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

SYNC (short for synchronization<\/em>) is when your music is paired with visual media<\/strong>\u2014and someone pays for the right to do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • TV shows<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Films<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Commercials<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Video games<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • YouTube \/ branded content<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Trailers \/ promos<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Any time music is \u201csynced\u201d to picture \u2192 there\u2019s money involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The 2 main ways you get paid<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    1. Sync License Fee (Upfront Money)<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    This is the big check<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Paid to use your song in a project<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Negotiated per use<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Split between:\n
        \n
      • Master owner<\/strong> (recording)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Publisher<\/strong> (songwriting)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        \ud83d\udcb0 Typical ranges:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • Indie web video: $100 \u2013 $1,000<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • TV show (background): $1,000 \u2013 $5,000<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • TV feature (prominent): $5,000 \u2013 $20,000<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • National commercial: $20,000 \u2013 $200,000+<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Film trailer: can go even higher<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          \ud83d\udc49 If you own BOTH master + publishing (which you should aim for), you collect 100%<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n\n\n\n
          2. Performance Royalties (Backend Money)<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

          This is the long-tail income<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          • Paid every time the show airs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Collected through PROs like:\n
              \n
            • ASCAP<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • BMI<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • SESAC<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              \ud83d\udca1 Example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \n
              • Your song is used in a Netflix show \u2192<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • It airs globally \u2192<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • You get paid quarterly for years<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                This is where catalog value compounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                <\/div>\n\n\n\n
                \n\n\n\n
                <\/div>\n\n\n\n

                \ud83c\udfaf CORE AUDIO ASSETS (NON-NEGOTIABLE)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                These are the deal-breakers. If you don\u2019t have these, you\u2019re not sync-ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \n
                • Full Mix (Mastered)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Instrumental Version<\/strong> (identical mix, no lead vocal)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • TV Mix<\/strong> (background vocals, no lead vocal)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • A Cappella<\/strong> (less common, but valuable)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Stems (broken out cleanly):<\/strong>\n
                    \n
                  • Drums<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Bass<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Guitars<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Keys\/Synths<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Lead Vocal<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Background Vocals<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • FX \/ Ear Candy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                    \ud83d\udc49 Stems should be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      \n
                    • Same start point (bar 1)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Same length<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Clearly labeled<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • 24-bit WAV (ideally 48kHz)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                      \n\n\n\n

                      \ud83c\udfac EDITS & ALT VERSIONS (THIS IS WHERE MONEY LIVES)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                      Supervisors LOVE flexibility. This is where you win placements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        \n
                      • 30-second cut<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      • 60-second cut<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      • 90-second cut<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      • Loopable sections<\/strong> (clean intros\/outros)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      • No intro version (hits immediately)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      • Button ending version<\/strong> (hard stop vs fade)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      • Underscore version<\/strong> (lighter arrangement, less busy)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                        \ud83d\udc49 Think: \u201cCan this drop into a commercial instantly?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        \n\n\n\n

                        \ud83e\uddfe METADATA (THIS GETS YOU FOUND)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                        If your metadata sucks, your song doesn\u2019t exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          \n
                        • Song title<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Artist name<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Writers (with PRO splits %)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Publishers (with splits %)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • PRO affiliation (ASCAP \/ BMI \/ SESAC)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • ISRC code<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Contact info (email + phone)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Genre (be specific: \u201cPower Pop Rock,\u201d not just \u201cRock\u201d)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Mood keywords (uplifting, driving, nostalgic, defiant, etc.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Use cases (sports, rom-com, teen drama, ads, etc.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Tempo (BPM)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Key<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Explicit \/ clean indicator<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                          \ud83d\udc49 Embed this in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            \n
                          • WAV metadata<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                          • Spreadsheet<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                          • DISCO \/ Synchtank \/ Airtable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                            \n\n\n\n

                            \u2696\ufe0f LEGAL (DO NOT SKIP THIS)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                            You will lose deals here if it\u2019s messy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              \n
                            • 100% ownership clarity<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            • Split sheet (signed by all writers)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            • Work-for-hire agreements (if applicable)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            • No uncleared samples<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            • No uncleared cover elements<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            • Publishing registered with PRO<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            • Sound recording registered (SoundExchange)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                              \ud83d\udc49 Goal: \u201cOne-stop clearance\u201d<\/strong>
                              (You can say YES immediately without chasing anyone)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              \n\n\n\n

                              \ud83d\uddbc\ufe0f VISUAL ASSETS (UNDERRATED WEAPON)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                              These help supervisors feel<\/em> the track fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                \n
                              • Album artwork (3000×3000)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                              • Artist photos (hi-res + web)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                              • Behind-the-scenes content<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                              • Lyric video<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                              • Performance video<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                              • \u201cVibe video\u201d (huge for sync pitching)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                                \ud83d\udc49 Bonus (your lane):
                                Your synced video\/live performance aesthetic<\/strong> = MAJOR differentiator<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                \n\n\n\n

                                \ud83e\udde0 CREATIVE POSITIONING (THIS IS YOUR EDGE)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                You should be able to answer instantly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                  \n
                                • \u201cSounds like\u2026\u201d (2\u20133 comps)\n
                                    \n
                                  • Example: The Knack meets Fountains of Wayne<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                  • \u201cPerfect for\u2026\u201d (specific scenes)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                  • \u201cEnergy curve\u201d (build? steady? explosive?)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                                    \ud83d\udc49 Write a 1\u20132 sentence sync pitch<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                    \n

                                    \u201cHigh-energy power pop track with driving guitars and nostalgic hooks\u2014perfect for upbeat montages, coming-of-age scenes, and brand spots targeting millennial audiences.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

                                    \n\n\n\n

                                    \ud83d\udce6 DELIVERY FORMATS (MAKE IT EASY TO SAY YES)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                    Have everything organized BEFORE anyone asks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                      \n
                                    • Dropbox \/ Google Drive folder<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • DISCO playlist (preferred in industry)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • Clean folder structure:SONG TITLE\/
                                      Masters\/
                                      Instrumentals\/
                                      Stems\/
                                      Edits\/
                                      Metadata\/
                                      Artwork\/<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                                      \ud83d\udc49 If they ask, you send ONE LINK. No scrambling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                      \n\n\n\n

                                      \ud83d\ude80 BONUS: WHAT MOST BANDS MISS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                      This is where you can separate from 99% of artists:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                        \n
                                      • Instrumental-first mindset<\/strong>\n
                                          \n
                                        • Does the track STILL work without vocals?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                        • Immediate hook in first 5\u201310 seconds<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                        • Clean intro option (no fade-ins, no noise)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                        • No long outros unless intentional<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                        • Emotional clarity<\/strong>\n
                                            \n
                                          • Confused vibe = no placement<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                                            \n\n\n\n

                                            \ud83d\udd25 FINAL CHECK (THE \u201cREADY TEST\u201d)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                            Ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                            \n

                                            If a Netflix supervisor emails me RIGHT NOW\u2026 can I deliver everything in 5 minutes?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

                                            If not\u2014you\u2019re not ready yet.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                            SYNC income is one of the few revenue streams where recorded music can generate meaningful, scalable money\u2014especially for independent artists who understand how to package and position their work. What \u201cSYNC\u201d actually means SYNC (short for synchronization) is when your music is paired with visual media\u2014and someone pays for the right to do that. Think: Any time music […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":168,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,3,5],"tags":[11,12],"class_list":["post-6","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-publishing","category-recording","category-sync","tag-movies","tag-tv-shows"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sodapoprecords.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sodapoprecords.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sodapoprecords.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sodapoprecords.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sodapoprecords.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/sodapoprecords.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":170,"href":"https:\/\/sodapoprecords.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6\/revisions\/170"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sodapoprecords.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/168"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sodapoprecords.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sodapoprecords.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sodapoprecords.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}