One of our readers, Ev, came up with the suggestion to have a section devoted to newbie questions regarding music libraries, music licensing, copyright, music publishing etc. There a lot of experienced people on this site and many are happy to share their wisdom. So, if you are a newbie (or not), and have a question, try leaving it here.
Of course many questions have already been answered here. First try searching in the search bar in the upper right hand corner. Also Google is your friend! I have found one of the best ways to search a site is use site specific criteria at Google’s web site. In other words, to search for a specific keyword, say “contracts”, type it in at Google like this “contracts site:musiclibraryreport.com”. Do not use the quotes.
If you still can’t find your answer then leave a comment here and someone will most likely come to your rescue!
Hi Guys,
Could someone help me here. I’m wondering what the term “Royalty Free” means. Does that mean the client only needs to pay once? I’m assuming this does NOT mean that I wont receive royalties from my performing rights organization. Is that right?
Thanks guys!
-Mark
Generally speaking, that’s correct. But you should closely read any particular library’s terms of usage.
I was wondering if it wouldn’t be a good idea if this site allowed a limited amount of uploading of music cues by those who are getting accepted into the various libraries and who might be willing to share in terms of structure, “broadcast quality,” edits etc.
Seems it would be very beneficial though maybe not practical imo.
Hi Pat,
Might be a good idea to try. Unfortunately it would take a bit of time and money to implement. As this is a free site (and donations are few and far between), I’m doing about all I can at this point.
Maybe some links to some good examples? I realize there are many libaries out there but so far the ones I’ve come across seem to have music done in expensive studios and I’m sure there is a middle somewhere where you don’t have to mortgage the house to make acceptable broadcast quality good enough to be “generally” acceptable. Not meaning the high end ones ofcourse.
Anybody can post a link to a track if they want, can’t they?
Sure can but if you post more than one link it might get stuck in the moderation cue as it will trigger the spam filter. Once checked, I will release it.
‘Royalty Free’ usually means ‘pay once, then use as much as you like without ever paying again for the same track’. However, some libraries do not require their customers to report usage to PROs.
It’s been said here before – royalty free libraries are seldom used by tv shows or major films that might actually make you performance royalties. This is for a number of reasons, including:
1) major production companies have bookshelves full of library music to choose from, and are getting stuff sent from dozens of libraries every month. Why would they go online to websites where they have to wade through a lot of mediocre tracks to find what they’re looking for? One call/IM/email to a major library, and they’ll have a bunch of pre-selected tracks, probably all perfect for the scene they need music for.
2) major production companies still have to submit the ‘deliverables’ to the broadcasters, whether it’s a commercial, film or TV show. This buttons up all the paperwork, and if it’s work for hire, the deliverables often include lead sheets or score (required even if the music is entirely samples). ALWAYS included is the cue sheet – which needs to be filled out completely. A royalty free track is either going to be on the cue sheet with the composer/publisher listed, or replaced on the dubbing stage for something the producers are comfortable with (that they know is 100% cleared and good to go).
From what I’ve read, it seems that royalty free libraries (and even other non RF libraries) don’t require that usage is reported to PROs because some of their customers are broadcasting music, like online games, or local independent TV stations, and don’t/can’t afford to pay PRO fees.
A long answer to a short question!
Hey Matt,
Thanks SO MUCH for this explanation. That’s extremely helpful. What types of libraries would you recommend for TV shows? Any specific libraries come to mind? Cheers.
Any there any writers who signed with BMI also publishers so they can collect any publishing that might come with some of these library deals?. I’m a member of BMI as a writer and from what I gather, if I were lucky enough to get a library deal and on top of that, one in which I retain a percentage of the publishing, there would be no way to get paid by BMI without some kind of business account for them to write a check to. I’d rather tackle this stuff now than to suddenly get a deal like that I’m not prepared for. I went to the BMI website and they have this 32 page application but I wanted to get some input from a writer who actually went through the process. Do I need to set up a business account with my bank or go through the city for some kind of DBA license? What do I need and what do I do first? Hoping this isn’t too complicated. Maybe one of you more knowledgable guys can dummy it down for me.
I’d appreciate some input from somebody who is bother writer and publisher with bmi who went through it.
You will need a business account at a bank as the check will be made out to the publishing company’s name. You will also have to file (and publish in a newspaper) a dba first, to open the business account. For awhile my bank was letting me deposit my publishing company checks but finally they said I would need to open a business account. BTW I’m in California. May be different elsewhere.
Thanks Art for your info. I’m in California also. I would get the business account set up at the bank first before I download and fill out the BMI publisher application since I would guess you need the business info to do it? Just trying to get a feel for what to do first.
No, you need to get your name at BMI first. If you get the business account first, the name might not be available at BMI. I think you have to submit three names to BMI just in case your first choice is taken.
That makes perfect sense. Hadn’t thought of that .. I’m downloading the BMI forms now. Thanks Art
I’m with SOCAN, I joined as a writer and also as a publishing house, but my understanding is if I had airplay royalties without having signed my publishing right away, I would get 100% of the royalties in my name as writer. I now put my songs through my publishing house, so I get 50% as writer and 50% as publisher. Not sure you need to form a publishing house, unless you intend to put other peoples songs through it,or sign co-publishing deals with other publishers. Question BMI on this to see if I’m right.
Interesting. Thanks Ev
Is it ok to send the same tune to multiple libraries at the same time? I’m imagining that if a library was interested and offered me a contract that I agree to and somehow another library offered me one on the same song (a problem I’d love to have)
I just say no thanks but at least I gave the tune the best chance since some of these places either take a long time to respond if at all. Just wanted to make sure theres no problem I’m not aware of.
Thanks
“Is it ok to send the same tune to multiple libraries at the same time?” Pat
Definitely Pat! However, if it’s an exclusive library you may want to give them two weeks before mass uploading to non-exclusive libraries.
Well, there’s no problem in sending the same tune to multiple non-exclusive libraries at the same time but you might run into some issues if you try that for the exclusives.
I could be wrong but I imagine that it would only be a problem if I actually signed more than one agreement where one of them is an exclusive deal and I could sign with more than one library as long as they are all non-exclusive. That how it works?
I’m fairly new here but if they were all non-cxclusive libraries it should be OK to submit to multiple libraries at a time. If a same song was accepted by several libraries it would be OK to sign it with them all. This would not work with exclusive libraries.
Ok, I just read your post and I think we agree. That’s kind of the scenario I tried to illustrate but I guess the real rub is while many of these libraries state they are non-exclusive to be careful to whether or not the stipulation is that you can’t sign it to another library. Maybe only direct maybe to music supervisors for specific projects or something.
Do have access to any public internet places like an internet cafe or public library? You could put your tracks on a USB thumb drive, take it to a place like that and do the upload there. I don’t know where you live but in most places there are computers with internet access available somewhere.
It’s something I might be forced to do but very inconvenient.
I am on dialup slow band internet(not by choice) which makes it almost impossible to upload wav quality music. I need to be able to send in CDs of music that have been pre-approved by library by listening to low quality mp3 uploads or by going to my site and listening there.
My ideal library would be:
Accepting submissions yes
Accepting uploads yes(but at low quality for approval)
Accepting via mail yes(CD quality of pre approved songs)
Type of material vocal and instrumentals
Charge submission no
Royalty free no
Exclusive no
Time under contract one year with one year renewals
Retitle no
License split 50/50
Pro split 100/0 for writer/pub
Require licensee to file cue sheet yes
Are there any libraries like that?
Ev, that’s what the search function in the upper left hand corner of the site is for. Just select the various criteria from the drop down menus and hit search.
Thanks Art, I had forgotten about that.
I read on some sites that libraries send out CDs of music of like themes, so a client can listen to CDs of different headings when he/she is looking for songs of different moods, feeling,genres etc. Does all libraries use this method? What other methods do they use in getting music to end users?
What are the pro and cons of using exclusive libraries as opposed to using non-exclusive?
When someone needs music for what ever, does that person contact ALL libraries or just a select few? Does ALL libraries have equal access to each music need?
Usually these folks have a small group of libraries that they work with on a regular basis. If they can’t find what they’re looking for from them, they’ll look at other libraries.
The thing to understand is that they have very limited amount of time available and as you can see from this site alone there are just WAY too many libraries for them to actually contact “ALL” the libraries.
As a relative part newbie,part desperate/delusional/composer i get confused by some of the terminology used by libraries etc,
I write 3-4 minute pieces and i would like to be enlightened by those wiser than me as to what is meant by a “scoring cue” or ” 30 sec cue” for example.
I’m sure I can add more to this list as my feeble mind comes across other terms I cannot get a handle on.
‘Cue’ is just another name for ‘track’, except it’s used more appropriately in the film and TV world, where a piece of music written to picture has a specific entry (or ‘cue’) and exit. Sometimes library people use the same term to describe library tracks.
I don’t know what they’d mean by ‘scoring cue’, I’d have to see its use in context.
Thanks Matt,
Now I just need to familiarise myself with the term “making money”
Hey All,
Semi-newbie question:
How do you identify what genre(s) a given library is focused on moving, e.g., sports music, reality TV, corporate etc?
Thanks
Michael
Other than looking at their website (if they have one), I would assume your best bet would be to call and ask.
Thanks Art, you are fast, I like that. As a fairly newbie,I did not mean to cause you more work, I appreciate all the work you must have, and still do,put into this site.
I have spent about a week now just looking over the many library sites that are here.I’ve only actually went into a few sites yet,but just reading the promos of the sites and the remarks about each site, is enough to make your head spin. Trying to pick out some sites that would best suit what I have to offer, mind boggling. To make matters worst for me, I am on dialup internet, not by choice,but all I can get where I live.
I am into mostly complete songs, mainly country and Gospel, is there much call for these genres and which sites are best to try for this type of music?
I’ll be back with other questions soon.