ASCAP vs. BMI for Independent Artists: Distrokid Is Not Enough! 

Here is an extra bonus regarding how to get royalties for beats leases, custom beat production, and beat-involved collaborations: If you are a producer, you usually don't need to register your beats with ASCAP or BMI. There is one exception: If the beat, as-is, without any alterations or vocals, is going to be played on the radio, streamed on Spotify, or synced to television, etc. In that case, the beat is considered the FINAL VERSION of the musical work. Only when the audio is finalized, you should register your beat. Otherwise, you don't need to register the beat because the beat on its own (without vocals) is not the final song and won't generate any royalties. ASCAP or BMI doesn't protect or copyright your beats in any way, and since they are not a publisher (Performing Rights Organizations are not Publishers), they can't detect when your beats are used by artists in a mixtape or on an album. Instead, sell your beats and services directly to artists via a work for hire agreement which you can download and use here: www.indiemusicacademy.com/free-contracts If you produce a beat that eventually turns into a song that is publicly released and distributed on Spotify, iTunes, Radio, etc, and you DID NOT use a work for hire agreement, there is a good chance that you can get writing credit INSTEAD of conducting a work for hire. In this case, you still will not register your beat on ASCAP or BMI, but you DO want to be listed as a songwriter when the FINAL SONG is registered. When registering, it is very important that you register using the new song title and the performer information on the new work (not the original beat) to collect on your portion of the writer's share of the newly created song using your beat. In order to make sure that you get credit on the final song for your work on the beat, keep a record of the splits you agree upon using this document here: www.indiemusicacademy.com/free-contracts If your beats are being licensed as-is to TV and Film as instrumentals, you STILL NEED TO REGISTER on ASCAP & BMI, but there is a completely different piece of paperwork you need to fill out. Usually, you will be asked to fill out a cue sheet by a music supervisor. The cue sheet documents which of your tracks are used in the film and the number of times. If the film is lower budget and doesn't have a music supervisor, you can download this cue sheet and give it to the director: www.indiemusicacademy.com/free-contracts Hope this helps!

Thank you, I just signed up for BMI. I write my own lyrics, rap and record them over non exclusive licensed beats. This side of the business is new to me, so your video was very helpful. Hope I am doing this all correctly.

This video was so helpful, I signed up for BMI and enter 200% as the songwriter and 0% to the publisher. Keep the knowledge coming.

4.21k subscribers? WHAT? I thought this channel would have tens of thousands of subscribers at least because the content is perfect. I’m subscribed. 💪

one of the most informative videos i've seen on the subject of what a pro controls and how royalties are managed. thank u

Wow! I didn’t know I needed all this important info. Thank you so much! Signing up for BMI now!

Can't believe how great of a channel you have! Thank you so much for helping all of us :)

How does a vid with 34 K have such far superior content to other channels on the topic with millions? insanity

This is My Next Step...Thanks finally a video that makes sense....Im always looking to take my music to the next level......All these tips are Key in success, I feel i should be signed already, all suggestions im taking notes and learning as i go...Lets Link Up!! Goodluck to all artists!

Thanks for the clarification... that old school music business keeps rearing it's head

Thanks this was really helpful after I learned that you cannot belong to both - ASCAP took my money and said sorry you cannot be a member of both and told me I had to cancel BMI to get my money back - I am new to all this so your videos have been very helpful! Thanks for sharing!

thank you for these videos! they've been amazing resources for a newbie like me trying to release music online independently! grateful for you sharing this knowledge and the others on your channel bc it can seem overwhelming at times.

These videos are super helpful. Thank you for all the time you have devoted to making them.

Thanks you answered the exact question I had. I'm a no name producer who's just uploading my beats everywhere now so I'm just worried about collecting on my own streams right now. I didn't know whether I had to sign up as a publisher or not. Thanks for clarifying that for me!!✌️

I got screwed by ASCAP years ago on sync royalties. My 50/50 writing partner would make 2.5k for a sync on Tv with BMI and I’d get $350 on ASACP. Even split.. I moved my entire catalogue to BMI.

Best video on this subject by far. Thanks for this.

Thanks so much. I’ve learned a lot from your video and have decided to try to register some of my music with BMI.

Should an independent artist living in a different country sign up for BMI or ASCAP? Or even other PROs? Do they collect royalties from music being played in other countries as well or just the USA?

I've got to say this has been one of the most informative videos I've followed..subscribed and learning Thamks Ryan!

I've been watching your videos all morning and wondered if you had a video showing the steps to take after you have written and recorded a song ... in order. Also publishing confuses the hell out of me lol .

Wow. This info is priceless

I've Learned to much thank you for making this channel you rock

You deserve way more followers sir, your content is incredible.

This is so informative and accurate! Thank you!

Great video. Awesome explanation and editing as well.

Just second time, you have covered many questions in one video.. Thank you !!

Thank you !! I appreciate the info!!

Great content definitely will subcribe. Quick question, I am a song writer/ beat maker but I've been registered for years as an artist on BMI but a publisher on Ascap. When I put out my music, should I just stick to BMI or do I need to cancel 1 of these? What's your advice?

Lots of amazing information here. I was alarmed when I read through distrokid’s agreement and saw that they are not protecting your music in ANY way, so your knowledge is relieving.. I’ll register my music with BMI. In your comment you also mentioned that PRO ‘s are NOT publishers, does this mean you must register your music with BMI, a distributor (optionally), AND a publisher? And who is a publisher then, the US commissions office? Thank you so much for the value. Gonna keep researching this before I put any serious cash into advertising.

A lot of good info here. Look forward to checking out more videos

wow had no idea about this, thank you for the intel.

Wonderful content help me lot for my music career thanks man :)

Hearing veteran artist in the business say, “ own your own publishing” seems like good advice. Wouldn’t it be safer to sign up under songwriter and publisher then split percentages even across both categories ? I’m a novice and trying to get into this arena. Thanks for any help !

Thanks for clearing that up. Your videos are super informative.. I've subscribed already!

Amazing information you are giving really great information to those people who are so confused and yes it's really helpful im sure your channel will grow giganticaly 👍👍👍👍

@8:00 I get my royalties from Ascap my music plays on radio and tv. So make sure you own your music it can be done in the US,CA,UK Etc!

Thank you for this free knowledge!

Really liked the video, but I don't think you can choose 100% for yourself at ASCAP if you have no publisher. I just tried they need the 50-50 split. Is there any solution for that in case I don't want to apply as a self-publisher at ascap?

FYI... BMI now charges $75 for a writer account.

Thanks for this! BMI now charges $75 to sign up as a writer. It was not announced publicly. 😕

5:00 so basically BMI don't understand what percent means

brilliant tutorial! thank you so much!

Great...! A lot of useful information for composers today...!!! Please, could you do some video on what's needed for sign up on "Sound Exchange" and, more detailed about its advantages for cover and translator artists, (for poetic translation covers of Hendrix, Stones, Beatles and all the 50s, 60s, 70s Rock, Blues hits into Spanish...)...??? Thanks a lot...!

thank you! i could't decide until i watched this video.

Thank you for this awesome video! 👍🙏 Keep posting you're great!

Free Game!!! I Love it. I see now, I've been missing out on royalties now thanks Guy!

Thankx man you helped this poor boy

Thank you man. God bless.

Thank you

Ryan is the GOAT!!

Thx Ryan, great video!

Excelente video hermano.! Gracias! saludos desde Latinoamerica

you sir gained a new sub great video and super clear. Good job.

It’s been two weeks since I registered with BMI and still haven’t got verified I’m bout to sign up with ASCAP

Thanx for this upload. Subscribed

ASCAP is free now too today is 4/15/23

Your videos are very informative! I applied to BMI but they don’t have customer service. Anyone have any luck contacting BMI recently? I have been trying to contact them for a month. I spoke with one person and they said they would help but never called back. Then I emailed and was told my inquiry was sent to another department. I never heard back, emailed again and no reply. I called again and I only get voicemails. I called ASCAP to check if they have customer service and I got ahold of a real person in a couple minutes!

Thank you for your info

Your a blessing Thank you so much ! God bless you!

DOES ASCAP AND BMI WORK FOR EVERY COUNTRY? I LIVE IN INDIA AND WAS WONDERING IF MY SONG GETS PLACED IN AN INDIAN DRAMA THEN WILL BMI COLLECT REVENUE FROM THEM ALSO?

Thanks for all the good explanations man. I have a question, if you just moved to US and you never got a IPI in your country, how can you get one in the US? Thanks in advance for the info. Cheers!

Very good information

thanks

Hello , so BMI can help me copyright my song too?

Very Informative Thanks

this was so helpful, thank you!

Thanks ❤

Thanks for the Knowledge

8:41 this guy very real real quick

This video just helped me so much! Thank you!

Great Info

I only do beats ..I don't rap, sing or anything. Is there a point for me to singin in in to any of this? Or is DistroKid enough?

Thank you very much for a golden info

Thank you for this!

dope information appreciate the help

Excellent breakdown

Is the P.R.O. even worth it if you're not on radio or movies? Do you even make any money at all on it?

Very awesome, thanks

Very good

Thank You Ryan! If I have CD Baby Publishing (vs standard distribution), I would list them as publisher at 100% and myself as the other 100% then?

Thank you for sharing the information. My question: I registered for ASCAP as a composer on some compositions on my album released in 2017. But, I want to register all of my compositions on my new album. Do I have to cancel my ASCAP membership first even though my compositions of mine I'm going to register with BMI are totally DIFFERENT ones? On BMI registration site, it says I have to provide them with the proof of cancelation of my membership with ASCAP. Why? Should I cancel my membership with ASCAP and re-register my old compositions registered with BMI and register my compositions on my new album?

This info is gold! Thank you

So,, can you register your song with ASCAP after you distribute your music through Tunecore? or should my song be registered first with ASCAP

This guy is so helpful definitely subscribed

Could you explain how BMI pay royalties? How to transfer money. How that process is done ?

Thank you!

Aight my friend told me bout that, but where is this on DistroKid? I'm lost

It's not allowing me to download from the site. This is great information....

Thanks for this! Very helpful (:

Dope video! If I register on BMI as a songwriter and later create a publishing company can I switch over all my music to my publishing company after I register as a publisher ?

Can you do both?!

What if your a independent record label LLC owner and your registering your artists music...what would you register as a Publisher or a songwriter if you was using BMI OR ASCAP?

You have a new subscriber 🙌🏽

I love the informations here thanks alot

Also are you getting more money from BMI since its out of 200 % verses ascap ?

If someone else purchases a beat from me and then registers their song through Bmi/Ascap do they need my CAE/IPI # to register it?

What if I’m a artist and I own a entertainment company and a record label. Do I need BMI or ascap? Also what about United masters?

great video bro

Hi. Thanks for helpful information but i have got a question. Whether all the places from which ASCAP and BMI collect my royalties in US, the same way will control and collect also oversees in my case in Armenia.

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