Music Royalties: The Lifeblood of Songwriters and Rights Holders

I vividly remember the excitement and validation I felt when I received my first royalty check for a sync deal I landed with CBS. It was for a track that made its way into a popular TV show, and the initial upfront sync fee was thrilling on its own. But that was just the beginning. The deal also generated performance royalties from the episode’s airings, and another sync fee came in when the show was released on DVD.

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Launch of AMP Education Foundation

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new non-profit organization, the AMP Education Foundation! At AMP Music Lab, we have always been passionate about empowering artists and fostering music education, and the AMP Education Foundation represents the next step in our commitment to these goals.

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The Essentials of Music Licensing: Maximize Your Earnings

Back in 2003, I started my music publishing company and have since licensed music on CBS, MTV, Fuel TV, Nickelodeon, and many independent films and advertising projects. This can be a very lucrative revenue stream for your music catalog. On the flip side, I once secured a mechanical license with a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, but after the artist, label, and co-producers took their cuts, there was nearly nothing left for my share. This experience taught me that while many aspiring songwriters dream of working with big artists and labels, less mainstream license deals could be more lucrative for their efforts and aspirations. Let’s break down music licensing and the “two sides.”

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Overview of Music Copyrights

When songwriters first encounter the concept of copyright, their immediate reaction is often to think, “I need to protect my work so no one steals my music.” However, I’d stress that copyright infringement is more of a “rich-man’s game,” similar to commercial real estate. Instead, I encourage you to focus on understanding copyright for the future purpose of licensing your music to other artists or for use in TV and film through sync and master use licensing. (More on that in another post on this blog.) For now, let’s break down music copyright and the “two sides.”

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The Music Industry: Understanding its Dynamics and Key Players

The music industry is a vast and intricate ecosystem that encompasses a diverse array of stakeholders, technologies, and revenue streams. Understanding how it works requires an exploration of its various components and the interactions between them. Key Players in the Music Industry Artists and Musicians At the heart of the music industry are the artists … Read more

How Professional Music is Created and You Achieve It

In our Professional Music Production Pipeline, a song undergoes a transformative journey through five key stages before it’s ready for commercial release. This structured process is crucial in creating high-quality music, whether you’re an industry professional or a bedroom artist. Let’s break down how it all works and how our AMP Music Production Training Program can equip you with the skills needed to master each stage.

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