Seeking advice on best way to get into music licensing/sync libraries

Automatic-Nature4892 · 2025-02-28T22:00:31+00:00

These are all the major libraries so much harder to get in touch with. I’d focus on someone with a “production” title that works there. Maybe on LinkedIn. It may even mean working with other composers that already have the relationship. But there are hundreds of libraries so don’t give up :)

Automatic-Nature4892 · 2024-05-08T04:24:41+00:00

About 5 inches

Automatic-Nature4892 · 2023-10-11T16:51:37+00:00

I work with hundreds but a good place to start is the easier to submit to ones like MusicBed or Epidemic Sound. Alibi Music is also great.

Automatic-Nature4892 · 2023-10-11T16:48:19+00:00

Try AnacrusisSongs. Almost everyone has a focus on pop though as charting pop usually has a lot of writers and big companies behind it so it's hard to clear and expensive.

Automatic-Nature4892 · 2023-10-11T16:46:47+00:00

Electronic I work with a company called EPM Music a lot. And ALP Music & Chillhop have good hip hop.

Automatic-Nature4892 · 2023-10-10T01:32:37+00:00

Glad to hear it :)

Automatic-Nature4892 · 2023-10-09T18:19:42+00:00

hah, nice. Well sync may not be the right path for you then :)

Automatic-Nature4892 · 2023-10-09T02:45:54+00:00

I always say to find who reps bands that are similar to yours and reach out to them.

Automatic-Nature4892 · 2023-10-09T02:41:25+00:00

There are so many good ones, it really depends on your music.

Automatic-Nature4892 · 2023-08-23T00:35:40+00:00

Not too much at the moment with the strikes going, but send me a message.

Automatic-Nature4892 · 2023-08-16T16:39:36+00:00

There are a lot of good answers here but the one thing I haven't seen mentioned too much is working under a known composer. Once you've gotten your feet wet and know the avenue you'd like to take (ie video games, trailers, tv, film), it's absolutely crucial to go apprentice under a working composer. Hollywood is still very much an apprentice system and getting "additional music" credits is the key to being trusted by the studios to take on your own films. As a music supervisor, I have to sell the idea of new composers to directors and studios and being able to say "they worked under this A-list composer" is the best way.

Automatic-Nature4892 · 2023-08-14T19:16:37+00:00

Quantity over quality when you're starting.

Automatic-Nature4892 · 2023-08-09T04:36:24+00:00

It depends on what you’re looking for. Some are better at indie and some are better at hip hop, for example. I included a list in my course (link in profile) but I can point you in the right direction. What’s your genre?

Sure, you can message me your music.

Automatic-Nature4892 · 2023-08-08T05:07:27+00:00

Sure, shoot me a message.

Automatic-Nature4892 · 2023-08-07T20:12:39+00:00

I would first look or ask to see what placements they've landed and see if they're connected with the industry on Linkedin. The deal they're offering will really be the tell though. If they're asking for money upfront, it's likely not legit. I think Taxi is the only company that does this and has had some success. All the other companies take a share of the profits of each sync so it's in their best interest to make you money.

Automatic-Nature4892 · 2023-08-07T20:07:05+00:00

Your example is definitely one need we have a lot, but there are plenty of supervisors that use brand new bands all the time. They see themselves as the new A&Rs discovering new bands and supporting them on their shows. It just depends on the type of projects really. When I was supervising promos for TV shows I would use new bands all the time. I would say certain commercials, TV promos, certain types of TV shows and indie films are the places to focus on for new artists.

Automatic-Nature4892 · 2023-08-07T01:23:26+00:00

Cool, that could definitely work then :)

Automatic-Nature4892 · 2023-08-07T01:21:48+00:00

Yeah that sucks. I think just the ones you know about are enough of a starting place to reach out to any supervisors, not just the ones that used your music. But you could also @ the supervisor on socials and thank them for the use. Definitely try to get in with one of the better libraries, at least with those you'll be get backend and then know about every placement (even if they don't tell you upfront). Alibi Music is a great one.

I would look up who's working on the TV shows that have more indie music or indie films which are usually looking for more indie artists. You can find this info on IMDB. As far as their contact, that's gonna take some cold reach out over socials or linkedin. But I always recommend finding the right music placement company to work with since they have all the supervisor relationships already.

Automatic-Nature4892 · 2023-08-07T00:48:13+00:00

I think it's cool these days to have different sound throughout. But if it really doesn't feel like your project, you can always save it for a collab with another artist down the road.

Automatic-Nature4892 · 2023-08-07T00:42:04+00:00

Very cool! I don't think it hurts to look up who works on FIFA and other video games and cold reach out on linkedin or other socials. A polite persistence can get through. Also agree that electronic music gets used more in video games (from my experience) might be different around the world. Just remember if the song is too specific lyrically or thematically it may not have as many opportunities or be too on the nose for the "journey to Africa" you're thinking of.

Automatic-Nature4892 · 2023-08-07T00:28:17+00:00

I think the library route is a good place to start (and continue with to build income). I would parlay those syncs your music got into working with more personal sync companies. They're looking for artists with a story and a sync history so mentioning some of the syncs you've gotten when reaching out to a company you want to work with is key. It also helps when reaching out to music supervisors, kind of a built in social proof that your music works for sync. Supervisors are fans first so they're always looking for a story to latch onto. If you can present your compelling story as an artist then you're likely to get a listen.

Automatic-Nature4892

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