There is no “legal law” for how to split a song, but there are industry standards. Most professional collaborators choose between Equal Splits (everyone in the room gets the same) or Proportional Splits (based on specific contributions). The most important thing is to sign a Split Sheet before the song is released. Audiobulb makes this easy by allowing you to input these percentages once and automating the global collection for everyone involved.
Money is the #1 reason great bands break up. To avoid the “who wrote the hook?” argument three years from now, you need to understand the three most common ways the pros divide the pie.
1. The “Nashville Rule” (Equal Splits)
In Nashville and many high-level songwriting camps, the rule is simple: “If you’re in the room, you’re in the song.”
- How it works: If four people are in the studio, everyone gets 25%. It doesn’t matter if one person wrote 90% of the lyrics and another person just suggested one word—everyone is treated as an equal creator.
- The Benefit: It fosters a “vibe” of total collaboration. No one feels like they have to “fight” for their ideas to be worth a certain percentage.
2. The “Words & Music” Split (50/50)
This is the traditional “Bernie Taupin & Elton John” model.
- How it works: The lyrics are worth 50%, and the music/melody is worth 50%.
- The Scenario: If one person wrote all the lyrics and another composed all the music, they split it 50/50. If two people wrote the lyrics together, they each get 25%.
- The Benefit: It clearly defines roles, which is helpful for remote collaborations where one person sends a beat and another sends a vocal.
3. The “Producer Split” (The Modern Standard)
In Hip-Hop, Pop, and EDM, the producer is often considered a primary songwriter because the “beat” is the foundation of the song.
- Typical Range: A producer who creates the track often receives 50% of the publishing, while the songwriters/vocalists split the remaining 50%.
- The “Topliner” Share: If you hire a “Topliner” (someone who only writes the vocal melody and lyrics), they typically expect 25–50% of the total publishing.
The Comparison: Which One Should You Use?
| Method | Best For… | Pros | Cons |
| Equal Split | Bands & Close Friends | Zero arguments; promotes unity. | Can feel unfair if one person does “all the work.” |
| Words/Music | Traditional Songwriting | Very logical and easy to track. | Hard to define in modern “vibe-based” sessions. |
| Proportional | Features & Hired Producers | Reflects the actual amount of work. | Can lead to awkward negotiations in the studio. |
4. The “Split Sheet”: Your Creative Receipt
Regardless of which method you choose, it isn’t “real” until it’s on a Split Sheet. This is a simple document that lists:
- Song Title
- Legal Names (No stage names!)
- IPI Numbers & PRO Affiliation (ASCAP, BMI, etc.)
- Percentage Owned (Must total exactly 100%)8
- Signatures
Pro Tip: Take a photo of the signed split sheet before you leave the studio. Digital “handshakes” (like an email or text chain) are better than nothing, but a signed document is the only thing that will hold up in a royalty dispute.
5. How Audiobulb Simplifies the Math
Once the split sheet is signed, the “admin nightmare” begins—unless you use Audiobulb.
- Direct Payouts: You don’t have to collect the money and Venmo your friends. When you register a song with Audiobulb, you tell us the splits, and we pay each collaborator their share directly.
- Conflict Resolution: If a co-writer tries to claim 100% of a song later, your Audiobulb registration (backed by your split sheet) acts as your legal defense.
- Global Alignment: We ensure that the 25/25/50 split you agreed on in New York is the exact same split being honored by societies in London and Paris.
FAQ: Splitting the Pie
Does the Producer get publishing if I paid them a “Flat Fee”?
Usually, yes. A “Session Fee” covers their time and the studio rental, but it does not automatically buy their copyright. Unless you have a “Work for Hire” agreement in writing, the producer is still a legal co-writer of the music.
What about the Engineer?
Generally, mixing and mastering engineers do not get publishing. They are paid to “enhance” the sound, not “create” the composition. However, some “Creative Engineers” who significantly change the arrangement may ask for a small percentage (2-5%).
We can’t agree on splits. What now?
If you can’t agree, the money stays in “Escrow” (frozen). It is better to compromise on a few percentage points than to have 100% of $0. Most pros default to Equal Splits when an agreement can’t be reached.
Summary
Fairness is subjective, but documentation is objective. Decide on your splits while the “creative high” is still in the room, write it down, and let your publisher handle the math.
Your Next Step: Ready to register a co-written track? Invite your collaborators to Audiobulb. Once everyone is in the system, we can automate your split payments so you never have to talk about money with your friends again.