What is Sync?
Sync = Music + Visuals
· There are two sides to every sync: the song and the recording
· APRA AMCOS doesn’t issue sync licences—but we do pay royalties
If you’re a songwriter, composer, or artist, understanding sync is essential. Sync (short for synchronisation) is the process of pairing music with visual media—think film, TV, ads, games, or even YouTube videos. It’s one of the most powerful ways to get your music heard and earn royalties.
It’s been said that, “Sync is where music meets storytelling—it’s the emotional glue between sound and screen.”
The two sides of sync
- The Musical Work: This is the written song—lyrics, melody, composition.
- The Sound Recording: This is the recorded version of the song—what you actually hear.
Both sides require permission to be used in sync (Arts Law PDF). That means two separate licences.
You’ll find sync in:
- Films
- TV shows
- Video games
- Advertisements
- Social media & YouTube videos
If music plays alongside visuals, it’s a sync.
How sync is arranged
- A Music Supervisor sources music for visual projects
- They seek permission from:
- Music publishers (for the song)
- Record labels (for the recording)
- Or directly from the creator if they own their rights
Each sync deal is unique and negotiated per song. The licence fee becomes the sync royalty.
Sync royalties are negotiated upfront—but ongoing royalties come from broadcast or streaming.
Licensing & Royalties
- Sync licence = upfront fee
- Ongoing royalties = paid when the program airs or streams
- APRA AMCOS collects and distributes royalties for musical works
- But APRA AMCOS does not issue sync licences—they don’t negotiate sync deals
TL;DR: Sync in a nutshell
- Sync = music + visuals
- Two licences needed: one for the song, one for the recording
- Music Supervisors arrange syncs
- APRA AMCOS pays royalties but doesn’t issue sync licences
- For legal advice, check out Arts Law
- For general info, visit the Resources tab on the APRA AMCOS website
See also
Frequently asked questions
Does AMCOS collect my synchronisation (sync) royalties?
Yes we can – provided you are an existing AMCOS writer member and the work in question is currently registered in our database. If the work is already registered with APRA but you are not yet an AMCOS member, you can easily join AMCOS. Contact us to request an AMCOS application form. Once your application is processed we will attach AMCOS membership to all of your existing registered works with APRA.
If your work is already registered with APRA, and you're an AMCOS member (or have applied for AMCOS membership), and you'd like AMCOS to administer your sync agreement on your behalf, please send us an email with the details. We'll get back to you and explain next steps.
Do I need a music licence to use music in an online video?
There are separate rights involved when licensing music for an online video.
First you need to seek permission to synchronise the musical work (composition) and master rights (sound recording) to the picture. APRA AMCOS does not have the permission to license synchronisation, so this request must be directed to the rights holders. To find the rights holder/s of a particular work, head to our works search.
Once you have cleared the synchronisation you will need to approach APRA AMCOS for a Communication Licence. This licence covers you for the communication of works online (i.e. the right to “broadcast”). For more information please contact us.
Can I earn royalties if my music is used on YouTube?
Yes. Our licence agreement with YouTube covers the streaming of all music videos including music embedded in User Generated Content (UGC).
You may find that your works have been being synchronised as part of other users’ uploaded content to YouTube. It is important to understand that the synchronisation rights of a work are owned by the original copyright owner/music publisher. Therefore, a work cannot be used without gaining permission from the copyright holder (that means you or your publisher!).
If you discover that your musical work has been used without your consent, there are two options available:
- Contact the user who has used your work and license them directly.
- Contact us and we will endeavour to have the video taken down from YouTube on your behalf.
Please note, if you want to upload cover versions of songs to a User Generated Content site (UGC) where a visual element is present (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok etc), you may need to clear the synchronisation rights with the music publishers/original copyright owners.
