Catalog
The complete collection of musical works owned or administered by a publisher or songwriter. Catalogs are bought, sold, and licensed as assets, and their value is typically assessed as a multiple of their annual net publisher share (NPS).
Articles about Catalog
DistroKid Metadata Requirements: Preparing Your Catalog for Accurate Rights and Payments
Getting metadata right separates paid royalties from errors and lost revenue. This guide lays out DistroKid metadata requirements and the exact fields, identifiers, and formatting that determine how recordings and works are matched and paid across stores, PROs, SoundExchange, and The MLC .
How to Register Your Songs With a Performing Rights Organization Step by Step
Knowing how to register songs with a PRO is the single most effective step an independent writer can take to start collecting public performance royalties . This concise, step-by-step guide shows exactly what metadata to gather, how to set writer and publisher splits, when to register recordings with SoundExchange or neighbor rights societies, and how to verify and correct registrations so you do not lose revenue.
How to Collect Every Royalty You're Owed as an Independent Musician
If you release your own music, you are probably leaving money on the table. This practical playbook shows how to collect music royalties at every step — from a catalog audit and correct metadata to registering with PROs, SoundExchange, and mechanical and neighboring rights societies, plus how to file retroactive claims.
Music Publishing Administrator vs Full Publisher: Which Is Right for You?
Music publishing administrator vs publisher is the core decision that determines whether you keep copyright and pay an admin fee or trade a publisher share for advances, active exploitation, and broader pitching. This article breaks down the legal differences, typical fees and splits, who collects which royalties, and the contract red flags to watch so you can choose based on catalog size, career stage, and income goals.
ASCAP vs BMI vs SESAC: Which PRO Should You Join?
Choosing the right PRO can change how much you earn from performances and how reliably you collect international and streaming royalties. In this ASCAP vs BMI vs SESAC comparison we break down membership rules, payout mechanics, switching logistics, and what each organization actually collects so you can pick the one that fits your career.
SoundExchange vs PRO: Understanding the Difference and Why You Need Both
Most independent musicians and small labels leave streaming and radio money on the table because they confuse who collects what. This guide breaks down SoundExchange vs PRO so you can see exactly which organization handles sound recording versus composition royalties and gives step-by-step registration actions for artists, session players, producers, and rights owners.
DistroKid vs TuneCore Publishing Administration: Which Pays More?
DistroKid vs TuneCore publishing is the question every independent songwriter asks when deciding how to collect the publisher share of their royalties. This article compares each service using published commission rates, fee models, territory coverage, and reporting differences so you can see which one delivers higher net payouts in realistic scenarios.
What Does a Music Publisher Actually Do? Your Questions Answered
If you are asking what is a music publisher and whether the trade-off is worth it for your songs, this FAQ gives a practical answer. You will get clear definitions of the publisher role, the royalty streams they handle, common deal types and splits, and real steps to audit, register, or recover publishing income.
Music Copyright Registration: Answers to the Most Common Questions
This music copyright registration FAQ answers the high‑intent questions independent musicians, songwriters, producers, and small labels have about registering songs and masters. Expect direct, practical answers on which application to use for compositions versus sound recordings, how to handle co‑writes, samples and remixes, timelines and fees, and what registration actually buys you for enforcement.