Glossary / Release

Industry terms

Master recording

The master recording is the final, released version of a recorded song, and whoever owns it owns the rights to that specific recording.

Also called: master, masters, sound recording

By Aulto · Last reviewed

Why do people talk about "owning your masters"?

The owner of the master decides where the recording is used and collects the money it earns as a recording. Artists signed to labels often don't own their masters; independent artists usually do.

How is a master different from the song?

The song is the composition: the melody and lyrics. The master is one recording of it. A cover version is a new master of the same song.

Example

When a film uses an existing track, it licenses two things: the song from the publisher and the master recording from whoever owns it.

  • Streaming royalties

    Streaming royalties are the money streaming services pay out when your music is played, split between the owners of the recording and the owners of the song.

  • ISRC

    An ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is a 12-character code that identifies one specific recording, so its plays and sales can be tracked and paid.

  • Music distributor

    A music distributor delivers your releases to streaming services and stores, and collects the money they earn from plays and sales.

  • Cover art

    Cover art is the square image that represents a release on every streaming service, store and smart link page.

  • Drop

    A drop is a release that goes out at a set moment, like a new song, a merch line or a product, announced ahead so people show up at once.

  • Hook

    A hook is the part of a song, or the first seconds of a video, built to grab attention and make people stay.

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