Music Knowledge
What Is Sync Licensing?
Sync licensing explained: how songs get placed in films, TV shows, ads and games, how fees work, and how to pitch your music for sync placements.
Sync licensing (synchronisation licensing) is the process of licensing a song to be used alongside visual media — a film, TV show, advertisement, video game or YouTube video. It is one of the highest-paying and most prestigious uses of music.
How sync deals work
A production company requests permission to use your song in their project. The rights holder grants a sync licence for the composition and often a master licence for the recording, and receives a one-time fee plus potentially ongoing royalties.
Negotiating sync rights requires clear ownership: the sync licence comes from the publisher or songwriter, while the master licence comes from the artist or label.
Who can pitch music for sync
Publishers, sync agencies and artists themselves pitch music to music supervisors. A clean, well-tagged catalog with proper metadata makes you easy to find when supervisors need tracks.
Zaventra Music Group's publishing administration positions your catalog for sync opportunities and handles the licensing paperwork when placements happen.
Preparing your catalog for sync
Deliver broadcast-quality masters with full metadata — clear titles, accurate ISRCs, correct writer splits. Have both master and composition rights ready, or work with partners who can clear both.
Exclusivity matters: a song tied up in one exclusive deal can't be placed elsewhere, so consider non-exclusive representation for wider opportunities.
Key Points
- Licensing music to visual media
- One-time sync fee + royalties
- Requires master + composition rights
- High-value use of music
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does sync pay?
Fees range from a few hundred to hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on the project, territory, song popularity and usage. Ads and films typically pay more than small YouTube videos.
Do I keep my copyright with sync?
Yes. A sync licence permits use under agreed terms; it does not transfer ownership of your song or recording.
Can independent artists get sync placements?
Absolutely. Music supervisors use libraries and direct pitches constantly. A professional catalog with clear rights makes independents competitive.