Reader answer checklist
This guide is structured to answer the practical questions a reader should resolve before relying on the topic.
- Direct answer
- A royalty audit starts by matching split sheets, identifiers, registrations, statements, and payments across the composition and master sides.
- Who this is for
- Independent artists, songwriters, managers, and catalog owners checking whether a release has been registered and paid correctly.
- Practical example
- For one catalog, compare each split sheet with ISRC and ISWC data, PRO and MLC registrations, SoundExchange records, distributor statements, and payout history.
- Limits and exceptions
- Collection rules, claim windows, territories, and organization procedures differ; a checklist cannot prove ownership or recover money without supporting records.
- What to do next
- Build a track-by-track inventory, gather statements and registrations, then flag each mismatch for the relevant organization or qualified advisor.
Evidence records
verified- The MLC songwriter and publisher resources — The Mechanical Licensing Collective
- The MLC — Unclaimed Accrued Royalties — The Mechanical Licensing Collective · Unmatched, unclaimed, and market-share distribution status
- SoundExchange rights-holder resources — SoundExchange
- ASCAP royalties and payment resources — ASCAP
Source records identify the evidence to review; they do not replace a claim-by-claim legal review. See the source index for the audit trail.
Editorial record
verified- Last edited
- 2026-07-17
- Reviewed
- 2026-08-07
- Reviewer
- Michael Ruiz
Reviewed by Michael Ruiz on 2026-08-07. Recheck date-sensitive rules and contract terms for a specific matter. See the editorial policy for the review process.
The Music Business Hub 10-Step Royalty Audit
This systematic, chronological protocol helps independent artists, managers, and catalog auditors map, reconcile, and investigate gaps across the music-industry supply chain.
The Chronological Checklist
1. Compile a Consolidated Catalog Inventory: Record every song's exact title, artist name, release date, UPC, and available ISRC and ISWC codes. Missing identifiers can make later matching and cross-system reconciliation harder.
2. Verify Legally Signed Split Sheets: Confirm that signed songwriter split sheets are stored for all collaborative releases before distribution. Disputed or unregistered splits can delay or complicate royalty registration and payment.
3. Audit PRO Registration Databases: Query public PRO repertories (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, PRS, GEMA) to ensure tracks are active and that registered writer and publisher shares match the signed split sheets.
4. Reconcile and Link MLC Registrations: Verify that songs are fully matched in The MLC portal. Where the portal supports the relationship, confirm that the ISRC is associated with its respective ISWC.
5. Audit SoundExchange Portals: Register as both the featured artist and the rights owner for self-released masters. SoundExchange collects eligible non-interactive digital performance royalties from satellite radio and webcasts.
6. Review International Sub-Publishing Pathways: Evaluate whether the domestic PRO is successfully retrieving foreign royalties or whether a global publishing administrator is needed. Coverage and mandates vary.
7. Verify TV/Film Cue Sheet Postings: For every active sync placement, check whether the production company filed an official music cue sheet with the relevant PRO. Missing or incorrect cue-sheet data can prevent or delay performance-royalty matching.
8. Audit YouTube Content ID Claim Status: Check whether a distributor or rights administrator has enrolled eligible masters in YouTube Content ID. Matching, ownership, territory, and platform rules still affect monetization.
9. Cross-Reference Aggregator Statements: Compare distributor stream numbers against analytics reported on Spotify for Artists. Treat a persistent discrepancy, such as one exceeding an internal 10% review threshold, as a prompt for investigation rather than proof of underpayment.
10. File Formal Retroactive Back-Claims: Submit official claim requests in the MLC and PRO portals to resolve identified historical gaps. Ask each service about its current processing and payout schedule rather than assuming the next statement will include the money.