music licensing

A session musician breaks down how cover recording payment really works, and why distributor choice affects everyone on the track.

Covering a song banned somewhere doesn't clear the ban — your cover can still be blocked in that same territory.

Delisted games don't affect cover licensing rules — here's what actually matters when the source is gone.

Sampling the original recording in a cover requires a separate master license — mechanical licensing alone doesn't cover it.

How mechanical licensing and royalty payouts actually work when you release a cover song for charity.

A clear breakdown of when cover artists need insurance and when licensing alone covers the real risk.

What actually changes — and what doesn't — when you cover a song that's gone viral because of an ad campaign.

What a split sheet is, when cover artists actually need one, and how to write one that prevents payout disputes.

What to agree with session musicians before recording a cover, so licensing and royalties go smoothly.

A cover with a sampled interpretation needs two licenses, not one. Here's how to identify and clear both layers.