SoundExchange

What is SoundExchange?

SoundExchange collects digital performance royalties — a completely different revenue stream from what ASCAP or BMI collect. While PROs handle songwriter royalties for the composition, SoundExchange handles royalties for the sound recording (the master) when it's played on digital platforms.

They collect royalties from:

• Satellite radio — SiriusXM
• Internet radio / webcasting — Pandora, iHeartRadio, and thousands of online radio stations
• Cable TV music channels — Music Choice and similar services

These are royalties for the sound recording (the master), NOT the composition. Both artists AND labels get paid.

Who needs SoundExchange?

You need to register with SoundExchange if you are a:

• Featured artist — the performer credited on recordings (lead vocalist, band name)
• Non-featured artist — session musicians, backup singers (paid via AFM/SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund)
• Sound recording copyright owner — labels, or self-released artists who own their masters

What royalties does SoundExchange collect?

SoundExchange collects digital performance royalties from these sources:

SoundExchange vs ASCAP/BMI

This is the most common point of confusion. Here's the simplest way to understand it:

You need BOTH — they don't overlap. When your song plays on Pandora, ASCAP/BMI collects for the composition and SoundExchange collects for the recording. Two separate payments, from two separate organizations.

Before you start

Gather these before starting your registration:

• SSN or ITIN — required for tax purposes (SoundExchange reports earnings to the IRS)
• Legal name — must match your government-issued ID exactly
• Discography / catalog info — your released recordings. ISRC codes help but are not required
• Bank account for direct deposit — to receive your quarterly payments

Step-by-step registration

1. Go to the SoundExchange website Visit soundexchange.com/artist-registration and click the registration button.
2. Choose your registration type Select either "I'm a Featured Artist" or "I'm a Sound Recording Owner" (label). If you're an independent artist who self-releases, register as both — you'll collect both shares.
3. Create your account Enter your legal name and email address. Use the name exactly as it appears on your government ID — this is how royalty payments are issued.
4. Verify your identity Provide your SSN or ITIN for tax verification. SoundExchange is required to report royalty payments to the IRS, so this step is mandatory.
5. Add your recordings to your catalog Enter your released recordings. Include ISRC codes if you have them — this ensures accurate matching. You can always add more recordings later.
6. Set up direct deposit Add your bank account information for quarterly royalty payments. This is the fastest way to receive your money.
7. Submit your registration Review everything and submit. There is no fee — SoundExchange registration is completely free. Processing typically takes 1-2 weeks.

After registration

What happens next

• Add ALL your recordings to your catalog — the more complete it is, the more royalties you collect. Missing recordings mean missing money.
• Include ISRC codes whenever possible. Ask your distributor for a full list of your ISRCs.
• SoundExchange pays quarterly, though they're working toward more frequent distributions.
• Check the "unmatched royalties" database — money may already be sitting there waiting for you to claim it.

Keep your catalog updated

Every time you release new music, add the recordings to your SoundExchange account. New releases start generating digital performance royalties immediately — but only if SoundExchange knows about them.

Common questions