In today’s music industry, music rights and royalty tracking are essential for ensuring creators get paid fairly. Whether you’re an artist, label, publisher, or producer, understanding how rights and royalties work will help you protect your work and maximize your income.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Understand the Different Types of Music Rights
Before you can track royalties, you need to know what you’re tracking. There are two main categories of music rights:
1. Master Rights
- Owned by: The artist or label
- Covers: The actual recorded performance
- Example: Spotify plays a recorded song
2. Publishing Rights
- Owned by: The songwriter or publisher
- Covers: The lyrics and composition
- Example: When someone covers your song or uses it in a commercial
Step 2: Learn About the Types of Music Royalties
Music royalties are payments made to rights holders. The major types include:
1. Mechanical Royalties
- Earned when your music is physically or digitally reproduced (e.g., CDs, downloads, streaming).
2. Performance Royalties
- Earned when your song is played publicly, like on the radio, in a bar, or on TV.
3. Sync Royalties
- Paid when your song is synced to video, like movies, ads, or YouTube videos.
4. Print Royalties
- Earned from the sale of sheet music.
Step 3: Register Your Music Properly
To collect royalties, your music must be properly registered with the right organizations:
For Master Rights:
- Music Distributor Platforms: DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby
- Digital Service Providers (DSPs): Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music
For Publishing Rights:
- Performance Rights Organizations (PROs):
- USA: ASCAP, BMI, SESAC
- UK: PRS for Music
- India: IPRS
- Mechanical Rights Organizations:
- USA: The MLC (Mechanical Licensing Collective)
- Music Publishing Administrators:
- Songtrust, Sentric Music
Step 4: Use Music Royalty Tracking Tools
Tracking your royalties manually is almost impossible in 2025. Use advanced tools and services to automate the process.
Best Royalty Tracking Tools:
- Songtrust – Global publishing royalty collection
- SoundExchange – Collects non-interactive digital performance royalties
- Audiam – Tracks YouTube and streaming royalties
- Stem – Revenue splitting for collaborators
- TuneRegistry – Centralized registration and royalty tracking
Step 5: Monitor and Audit Your Royalty Statements
Once royalties start rolling in, don’t just trust the numbers. You must analyze and audit your royalty statements for accuracy.
How to Audit Effectively:
- Compare statements from PROs and distributors
- Check per-stream rates and calculate expected earnings
- Look for missing income from foreign markets or YouTube uses
Pro Tip: Hire a music accountant or use automated audit tools like Royalty Exchange Analyzer or Curve.
Step 6: Split Royalties with Collaborators
Collaborations are common in music. Make sure to agree on royalty splits early and record them in writing.
Tools That Help:
- SplitSheets: Cloud-based song ownership documentation
- Sound Credit: Tracks credits, metadata, and splits
Step 7: Protect Your Rights and Fight Infringement
If your music is used without permission, you have the right to protect it.
How to Take Action:
- Issue takedown notices via YouTube Content ID or DMCA
- Use services like Muso or Audible Magic for automated content monitoring
- File disputes via PROs or through copyright legal services
Step 8: Track International Royalties
Music streaming is global, and so are your royalties. You need to track and collect royalties internationally.
Key Organizations:
- CISAC: A global network of copyright collection societies
- Neighboring Rights Organizations:
- SoundExchange (US)
- PPL (UK)
- SCPP (France)
Use global collection partners like Songtrust to simplify worldwide royalty tracking.
Step 9: Maximize Your Music Revenue
Once your tracking is in place, it’s time to scale your income.
Monetization Tips:
- License your music for ads, films, or games
- Upload to YouTube with Content ID enabled
- Sell beat licenses or sample packs
- Perform live and report setlists to your PRO
- Create NFTs or explore blockchain music platforms
Final Thoughts
Music rights and royalty tracking may seem complex, but once you understand the basics and use the right tools, you can unlock steady and fair income from your creations.
Whether you’re an indie artist or a label, protecting and tracking your rights ensures your art gets the respect—and the royalties—it deserves.
FAQs on Music Rights and Royalty Tracking
Q1: Can I collect royalties if I’m not signed to a label?
Yes! You can register directly with PROs and distributors as an independent artist.
Q2: How often are royalties paid?
It depends. PROs usually pay quarterly, while DSPs pay monthly.
Q3: What happens if someone uses my music illegally?
You can issue a takedown notice or sue for copyright infringement.