The Enterprise of Music Licensing, and Why “Royalty Free Music” Would not Should be a Unhealthy Phrase


As anybody who has labored within the music licensing world for even the previous few years can inform you, sure phrases on this trade provide you with that “ick” feeling. 

And that’s doubly true for anybody who’s been round lengthy sufficient to recollect the earliest days of the web digital music trade which initially introduced us phrases like “inventory” and “royalty free” music.

But, whereas we right here at Soundstripe usually check with our catalog as a “royalty free” music catalog, we wish to relieve you of any preconceived notions about what this time period means for us and our music. 

Plus, should you learn by means of this text, we’ll give some extra context into how trendy royalty free music has modified from one thing generic and inflexible into one thing rather more musically numerous and usable for every type of tasks and makes use of.

Right here’s how we outline “royalty free” music

Close up of a sound board, recording modern royalty free music.

So, “royalty free” music is a phrase that will get thrown round lots within the music licensing world that basically means various things to completely different individuals. To some filmmakers, video professionals, and content material creators, the time period means “free music to make use of for no matter you need.” Which, as we’ve coated fairly a bit on our weblog, merely isn’t true. Try this text to seek out out what royalty free music really is

Nonetheless, for these in music publishing, royalty free music usually means “of low high quality” or “a non-traditional music library not registered with a Publishing Rights Group.” Once more, that is one thing that merely isn’t true for Soundstripe’s music.

As for a way we outline “royalty free” music at Soundstripe, we merely imply that you just—the Soundstripe buyer—received’t should pay any royalties past your subscription or license price. (We should always notice, too, that whereas Soundstripe prospects don’t should pay royalties, the tip broadcaster of the content material that comprises our music does—which is essential to bear in mind.)

General, whereas there are numerous explanation why these connotations are linked with this “royalty free” time period, most of them come from a time when music licensing for video got here from non-musicians and was marketed in direction of non-creatives usually. 

How is Soundstripe completely different from different royalty free music firms?

Person sitting in their recording studio in front of their monitor, contemplating the business of music licensing.

Because the trade has modified over time, the enterprise of music licensing has turn into extra refined, numerous, and versatile. With firms like Soundstripe specifically, which was began by precise musicians who perceive each the music and the enterprise of music licensing, we’ve been capable of disrupt the trade and create a brand new mannequin for our library.

Moreover, if it helps, you may wish to not even consider Soundstripe as a “royalty free” music licensing firm in any respect. In truth, Soundstripe is probably extra like some other label or writer. We register our songs globally and are administered by Kobalt. (In contrast to a few of our rivals that aren’t registered with PROs—Publishing Rights Organizations—we would add.

It’s complicated, however our use of “royalty free” music is extra for our content material creator viewers than for our publishing companions.

What is exclusive about Soundstripe’s music?

Red and white “recording” light, sitting on top of an organ, signalling that new royalty free music is being recorded.

As talked about above, not like many different ” royalty free” music firms you could find on-line, Soundstripe can set up a direct license, and our library will pay efficiency royalties to our composers.

Our catalog is registered with all PROs globally (together with PRS) and is constructed extra like different conventional music catalogs. We’re very completely different from a lot of our rivals on this regard, and we’ve a number of composers who make tens of 1000’s of {dollars} a 12 months in author’s share alone.

For these Soundstripe for sync choices, it’s finest to consider us as a typical manufacturing music library or a typical label and writer copyright proprietor. 

Questions?

Man sitting in front of his sound recording setup, creating high quality royalty free music

When you have some other questions on how Soundstripe’s music library works, or should you’re seeking to license music on your numerous makes use of or are keen on learn how to license music for video, we’re right here to assist. 

In case you’d wish to be taught extra about Soundstripe’s music for video choices, take a look at our information on learn how to use Soundstripe right here. Or, should you’d like to talk to a gross sales consultant about extra nuanced music licensing alternatives, don’t hesitate to attain out to us immediately.



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