Yes, you can license your cover recordings for sync, but you only control one half of the deal. You can grant a Master License for your specific recording, but the music supervisor must still obtain a Sync License from the original song’s publisher. Crucially, the mechanical license you got from your distributor (to put the song on Spotify) does not give you the right to put that song in a TV show. Audiobulb’s Sync Pitching service helps bridge this gap by representing your high-quality cover recordings to supervisors who are actively looking for fresh takes on classic hits.
1. The Two-License Rule for Covers
To use a cover song in a visual project, the production company needs two separate permissions. This is where many independent artists get confused:
- The Master License (You Control This): Since you paid for the studio time and performed the track, you own the recording. You can negotiate the fee for this.
- The Sync License (The Original Publisher Controls This): The person who wrote the original lyrics and melody still owns the “composition.” A music supervisor must go to the original publisher (e.g., Sony, Universal, or an indie publisher) to get permission to use those lyrics in a movie.
2. Why Music Supervisors Love (and Hate) Covers
| Why they LOVE covers | Why they AVOID covers |
| Familiarity: Audiences already know the song. | Cost: They have to pay you and the original publisher. |
| Budget: It’s often cheaper than licensing the original superstar recording. | Complexity: If the original publisher says “No,” your recording cannot be used, no matter how good it is. |
| Creative Control: A “moody” cover can change the entire feel of a scene. | Clearance Time: It takes twice as long to clear two separate owners. |
3. The “Distribution Trap”: Mechanical vs. Sync
Most artists use a distributor to release a cover on Spotify. They pay a small fee for a Mechanical License.
The Danger: A mechanical license only covers audio-only streaming and sales. It gives you zero rights to license that cover for TV, Film, or YouTube. If you pitch a cover to a supervisor without telling them the original publisher hasn’t cleared it for sync, you could face legal trouble.
4. Why You’re Losing Money Without Publishing Administration
Even if you land a sync deal for your cover’s master recording, you are missing out on the long-term “backend” income.
- Master Fees Only: Without a publisher, you only collect the upfront check for the recording.
- The Performance Gap: Every time that cover airs on TV, it generates performance royalties. While the original songwriter gets the “Songwriter Share,” there are often complex secondary royalties and neighboring rights that independent artists miss because their distributor doesn’t track broadcast use.
- No Professional Representation: Large publishers won’t talk to a random artist about clearing a sync license. They prefer to talk to other professional Publishing Administrators.
5. How Audiobulb Solves the Cover Song Puzzle
At Audiobulb, we help you navigate the legal minefield of cover songs so you can focus on the music.
- Sync Pitching Service: We actively pitch your high-quality cover recordings to music supervisors. We know which shows are looking for covers and how to present your Master Recording as a viable option.
- 0% Commission: We don’t take a cut of your Master license fee. For a flat $19.99/year, you keep 100% of your earnings.
- Professional Administration: We act as your administrative front. When a supervisor wants to use your cover, having Audiobulb as your administrator signals that your business is in order, making the “Sync License” clearance with the original publisher much smoother.
- Global Tracking: If your cover is used in a video or broadcast anywhere in the world, our technology tracks it to ensure you aren’t being bypassed on neighboring rights or master-use royalties.
Summary
You can certainly make a career out of licensing covers for sync, but you must understand that you are only the “Master” owner. You need a professional setup to handle the original publishers and ensure you aren’t violating copyright. Don’t let your distributor be your only partner—they deliver the file, but Audiobulb manages the rights.
Your Next Step: Do you have a “moody” cover that’s perfect for a movie trailer? Join Audiobulb for $19.99/year to access our Sync Pitching Service and ensure your cover recordings are handled with professional administration.