How Bands and Producers Can Control Their Masters, Capture 100% of Their Publishing, and Stop Leaving Money on the Table

If you are in a band or producing records in today’s independent music economy, there is one question that matters more than streaming numbers, more than social media engagement, and more than playlist placement.

Who controls the master?

And right behind it:

Who is collecting the publisher share?

This article will walk you through how bands can form an LLC to control their masters with one authorized agent while still distributing income equally, how to structure publishing so you collect 100 percent of both writer and publisher shares, and how producers should think about licensing beats without accidentally giving away ownership.

We will define master and composition clearly, break down writer versus publisher shares, and show how modern infrastructure can automate licensing without forcing you to build your own legal system from scratch.

Sync License vs. Master License: What You Actually Need to License Music for Video

If you are serious about licensing your music for film, television, YouTube, advertising, or branded content, there is one foundational concept you must understand:

You do not license “a song.” You license rights.

Specifically, two different rights.

The sync license and the master license.

Most musicians have heard these terms. Far fewer understand how they function together. And misunderstanding this distinction is one of the fastest ways to lose leverage, lose money, or lose a placement entirely.

This article breaks down the difference between a sync license and a master license, explains what you need in order to legally license music for video, and shows how ownership structure determines whether you can say yes to an opportunity.

How Do I License My Own Music Directly?

Most musicians spend years learning how to write, record, mix, and promote music. Very few spend time learning how to license it.

That blind spot quietly costs artists thousands, sometimes hundreds of thousands, in unrealized revenue.

This article will break down what music licensing actually is, why it remains one of the most misunderstood income streams in modern music, and how you can build a direct licensing system without signing away your publishing.