The music world is waking up to the revenue that can be generated from getting your music placed in films, TV shows, games, and adverts. In the music industry this is known as synchronisation or ‘sync’ for short. To those just starting on the road to musical success, sync can seem overwhelming, so let’s demystify it for you and get you on track to your first sync.
One of the most important points to note, is that Sync is an international market so regardless of where you are in the world or what genre of music you work in, your tracks are ‘syncable’.
How does sync work?
A ‘music supervisor’ works on a film/TV show/advert etc. and decides together with the director and possibly producer what music is needed. Once that is decided, the music supervisor will send out a brief to some ‘trusted sources’ in the industry. These can be record labels, publishers or sync agents. As an artist, if you’re not working with one of these, it will be very difficult for you to get your music synced. The advantage of a sync agent is that they specialise in making connections with supervisors and getting briefs so that you can get synced, even if you’re not signed to a label or publisher. Music Gateway is a platform for artists, producers, songwriters and others in the creative industries to store their files and contacts, create playlists, add metadata, find opportunities, collaborate and pitch on sync opportunities.
The labels, publishers and sync agents will collect relevant music and send it back to the music supervisor. After this the supervisor will pick which track is a perfect match and go about licensing the track with the rights holders. So how do you improve your chances of being that perfect match?
Here are some tips to help you get your music synced
1. Make sure the track is done
First of all, before you even go looking for a sync deal, you need to make sure that your tracks are completely polished, mastered and ready for release. This is because sync often works on a very short timeframe so there’s no time to finish it off in between.
2. Have Metadata!
Metadata is information that you embed to your tracks and is vital to getting your music synced. Your metadata should include things like the track name, artist name, album name, genre, track duration, publisher, record label, recording date and writer’s name. In the comments section it’s important to add links to your website or provide some contact details. Watch a short video on what metadata is here.
3. Have different versions of the same song.
Sometimes a music supervisor will love a track, but they need an instrumental version so it’s important to have instrumental versions of all of your tracks at the ready.
4. Find representation.
As already mentioned, it’s extremely difficult to get into sync on your own, so find a publisher, record label or sync agent that can get you there. Make sure you find the right publisher, record label or sync agent for you and your music. This doesn’t just go for sync, it’s something that you should ensure in general so that you can make the most out of your music career.
5. Be relevant.
If you’re submitting tracks to briefs on websites or to sync agents, make sure that you only submit what they’re actually looking for. Pitching tracks that are not relevant to the brief not only wastes your time and whoever you’re pitching to. It can also provide you with a bad reputation.
If you want to put all these tips into practice right now, have a look at Music Gateway’s sync portal and start the journey of getting your music onto film, TV, adverts, games and more.
Music Gateway are giving artists who take up one of the packages on Music Talks which include an Artist Directory listing for 12 months on Music Talks, 15% off any monthly subscription on Music Gateway or 30% off an annual subscription on Music Gateway.
Head over to the Music Talks Packages or the ‘Artist Directory’ to take up this incredible offer!