Sync licensing — placing your music in film, television, advertisements, and video games — is one of the most lucrative opportunities available to electronic music producers. A single sync placement can earn more than years of streaming royalties. Here's how it works and how to position yourself for opportunities.
What Is Sync Licensing?
A "sync" (short for synchronization) license is the legal permission to use a piece of music alongside visual media. When your track appears in a Netflix show, a car commercial, or a video game, that's a sync placement.
Sync deals typically involve two licenses:
- Sync license — Permission to use the composition (paid to the songwriter/publisher)
- Master use license — Permission to use the specific recording (paid to the master owner — you or your label)
What Sync Placements Pay
Sync fees vary enormously:
| Placement Type | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Major film trailer | $50,000 - $500,000+ |
| Network TV show | $5,000 - $50,000 |
| National TV commercial | $25,000 - $250,000+ |
| Streaming series (Netflix, etc.) | $3,000 - $30,000 |
| Video game | $5,000 - $50,000 |
| Independent film | $500 - $5,000 |
| Online/social media ad | $1,000 - $10,000 |
These are rough ranges. Fees depend on the production budget, how the music is used (background vs. featured), duration, and territory.
Why Electronic Music Works for Sync
Music supervisors love electronic music for several reasons:
- •No vocal clearance issues — Instrumental tracks avoid the complexity of clearing vocal samples
- •Mood versatility — EDM ranges from intense and energetic to ambient and atmospheric
- •Clean masters — Electronic productions are typically clean and well-mixed
- •Fewer rights holders — Often just one producer, making clearance faster
How to Get Sync Placements
1. Own Your Masters
This is critical. Music supervisors need to clear rights quickly. If you own your masters (or your label can clear them fast), you're much more likely to get placed.
2. Create Sync-Friendly Music
Not every track is right for sync. Music supervisors often look for:
- •Instrumentals or tracks with minimal vocals
- •Clear emotional arc — Build-ups, drops, and breakdowns work well for visual storytelling
- •Clean, well-produced audio — No clipping, distortion (unless intentional), or mixing issues
- •Stems available — Being able to provide separated stems (drums, bass, synths, FX) is a huge advantage
3. Register Your Music
- •A performing rights organization (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC)
- •The MLC for mechanical royalties
- •SoundExchange for digital performance royalties
4. Work With a Sync Agent or Label
Sync agents and labels with sync departments actively pitch music to supervisors. This is the most effective path for most artists. At Red Star Media, our sync team maintains relationships with music supervisors across film, TV, and advertising.
5. Submit to Music Libraries
Music libraries license tracks for use in media. Some notable ones:
- •Artlist
- •Epidemic Sound
- •Musicbed
- •AudioJungle
- •Pond5
These typically require non-exclusive or exclusive agreements, so read the terms carefully.
Preparing a Sync Catalog
If you're serious about sync, consider creating tracks specifically for licensing:
- •Produce multiple versions of each track (full, 30-second, 60-second, instrumental, stems)
- •Tag everything with detailed metadata (mood, tempo, genre, instrumentation)
- •Keep masters clean and at professional quality
How Red Star Media Handles Sync
We actively pitch our catalog to music supervisors and creative agencies. When a sync opportunity matches one of our artists' tracks, we handle the licensing, negotiation, and rights clearance. Learn about our sync services or contact us.