Know what to clear, register, and collect before release.
Music Business Hub shows independent artists what to do with their songwriting rights, recording, credits, delivery, and royalty registrations—then points to the guide or tool for each step.
Choose a starting point.
Three ways into the platform based on where your music is right nowI’m releasing a song
Follow the rights, credits, metadata, delivery, and royalty steps.
I’m auditing my catalog
Find missing ownership, registrations, credits, or royalty trails.
I’m evaluating a deal
Compare deal terms and see how advances, recoupment, and royalties connect.
Search the knowledge library.
Search guides, modules, source records, calculators, and case studies by the question you have.
Release your first song, step by step
Follow these six stages from ownership and metadata through distribution, royalty registration, and post-release checks. Use the linked lessons when you need the deeper explanation.
- 01Release stage
Set ownership first
Agree on songwriter, publisher, producer, and beat rights before recording or uploading.
Start with a split sheet → - 02Release stage
Prepare your release
Keep the master, composition, credits, identifiers, and delivery assets together.
Check metadata tasks → - 03Release stage
Protect the work
Understand copyright registration, cover-song requirements, and permissions before release.
Review protection tasks → - 04Release stage
Deliver the music
Send accurate audio, artwork, credits, and release information through your distributor.
Review delivery tasks → - 05Release stage
Register your royalty collection
Connect the composition and master to the PRO, MLC, SoundExchange, and other relevant systems.
Set up royalty collection → - 06Release stage
Keep collecting and audit your catalog
Track performances, compare statements, and resolve missing or unmatched royalty data.
Plan the post-release sweep →
This is an educational planning path, not a legal or accounting opinion. Rules, contracts, territories, and collection requirements can change.
Check the source before you rely on a guide.
Every guide shows source IDs, citation records, and editorial history. Pages marked needs-review are research starting points, not verified legal advice.
Browse the knowledge library by topic.
Use these lessons to understand the rights, royalty, licensing, and audit questions behind each release stage.
Dual Copyrights & Music Licensing Foundations
Understand the twin pillars of music copyright: the Musical Composition and the Sound Recording, including statutory registration, cover songs, sampling cases, and sync licenses.
Global Royalty Flow & Performing Rights Organizations
Master the administrative structures of Performing Rights Organizations (PROs). Compare ASCAP vs BMI metrics and understand the writer/publisher split.
Mechanical Royalty Rates and Calculations Under Phonorecords IV
Calculate physical and digital mechanical royalties using the exact 2026/2027 statutory formulas under Phonorecords IV determinations.
Streaming Economy, Pools & DSP Comparisons
Demystify pro-rata vs user-centric royalty payouts. Explore DSP benchmarks, streaming mechanical calculation layers, and the Triple-Payment stream breakdown.
Sync Licensing Negotiations & Pitching Workflows
Master the double-clearance sync boundary, negotiate with music supervisors, establish One-Stop clearances, and tag files.
Royalty Audits & Recovery Protocols
Examine the unmatched royalty pool and execute a chronological audit protocol to reclaim uncollected funds.
The Chronological Release & Registration Blueprint
Execute the authoritative pre- and post-release checklist from split sheets to Copyright Office filings and SoundExchange sweeps.
Neighboring Rights & Global Royalty Arbitrage
Master sound recording performance royalties globally, navigate terrestrial AM/FM radio exemptions, and submit direct foreign CMO claims.
Use the tool that matches your next decision.
Model a deal, check a royalty scenario, prepare a split, or track a release with the tools below.
New to the site? Start with the six-stage journey, then use a tool when a stage sends you here.
Simulate Major Label, Indie Net Profit Split, Distribution, and Publishing contracts. Calculate advance recoupment and detect hidden red flag traps.
Compare nine recording, publishing, sync, producer, and 360 deal structures by ownership, cash flow, control, and exit terms.
6-stage release checklist & readiness workspace. Manage your single from split sheets to Copyright Office registration and MLC sweeps.
Draft, calculate, and print an educational songwriting collaboration worksheet. It validates split percentages and provides fields for PRO/IPI data.
Explore configured physical vinyl, CD, and multi-DSP streaming scenarios. Verify rate assumptions against the current CRB schedule before relying on a result.
Learn how to navigate the online beat-leasing economy safely. Differentiate non-exclusive beat leases from exclusive master buyouts.
Understand how shifting power dynamics impact splits, royalties, and traditional publishing models through real-world breakdowns.