Who Owns the Master Recording of Your Song?
- silasbeats
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Let’s talk about something most artists overlook until it’s too late: Who actually owns the master recording of your track?
If the answer isn’t clear, you could be losing out on serious money, especially royalties from SAMPRA.
What Is a Master Recording?
The master recording is the final version of your song, the actual file (like a WAV or MP3) that gets:
Played on the radio
Uploaded to Spotify, Apple Music, etc.
Licensed to film, TV, or brands
Owning the master gives you full control over how the song is used, shared, and monetized.
Who Usually Owns the Master?
✅ Independent artists:
If you recorded your song, paid for studio time, produced or purchased the beat, and uploaded the final version yourself, you most likely own the master.
❌ If a label or producer is involved:
Ownership can get tricky. For example:
You’re using a beat without a clear agreement.
A producer gave you a track, but no paperwork was signed.
You’re on a label but didn’t review the contract in detail.
In those cases, you may not own the master, even if it's your voice on the track.
Why Master Ownership Matters (Especially for Royalties)
One word: SAMPRA.
SAMPRA pays out royalties to the master rights holder when your music is broadcast or played in public spaces.
If your name isn’t listed as the owner of the master, you’re not getting paid, even if you’re the main artist on the track.
How to Protect Your Rights
Here’s what you need to do:
📝 Always have a written agreement. Whether it’s a contract or a simple licensing document, get it in writing. Don’t rely on verbal agreements or trust alone.
🎧 Use a split sheet or producer agreement. This makes it clear who owns what, especially if you're using someone else's beat or collaborating.
📁 Keep copies of everything. Emails, payment receipts, signed agreements, anything that proves ownership or rights.
Don’t Leave Your Royalties Behind
If you’ve put in the work to create a song, you should also make sure you own the right to earn from it.
Ownership of your master recording is one of the most powerful (and profitable) assets you can have as an artist.
Don’t sleep on it.
Want to learn how to create a contract or find free split sheet templates?
Check out the next video in the series where we break it down step by step.
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