Producer credit
Can producers earn royalties?
Watch: Can producers earn royalties?
Producers can earn songwriting royalties
The producer’s role in the studio varies greatly between genres
Clarify what the producer’s role will be, and get your agreements in writing
What is a producer?
The term ‘producer’ means lots of different things to different people across music genres.
If the producer is involved in the writing of the songs and the creation of the music, then yes, the producer can earn songwriting royalties through APRA AMCOS.
As Sally explains in the video, a producer in electronic music may be a solo artist who makes all their own songs. Which would entitle them to songwriting royalties.
Whereas in other genres, the producer may take more of a ‘directing’ role to get the best performance from a band in the studio.
Royalties from APRA AMCOS
APRA AMCOS only distributes royalties generated the actual composition (music & lyrics), not from sound recordings (master).
It is common for producers to receive a cut of the royalties if they, for example, have created beats, instrumentals, or musical backings that were used. When a producer has contributed to the writing and musical construction of songs they are often given a cut of the songwriting credit.
Sound recording
APRA AMCOS does not distribute royalties generated from sound recordings. Recorded Music NZ and record labels manage those agreements, rather than APRA AMCOS. When you’re working with someone who is only involved in the studio production of your music, it’s more likely they could be due shares from the master (sound recording), but not the composition. Alternatively, you all might come to an agreement where a fee is paid for production in the studio with no royalties attached.
The crucial thing is to talk about the work ahead of starting, then get all agreements, (whether for songwriting shares, shares in the Master, or flat fee payment) in writing and signed, or otherwise verified, by all those involved.
Got more Q's?
We've got them answered.
When do I get paid royalties?
APRA pays domestic royalties every three months and processes overseas royalties monthly.
AMCOS processes royalties quarterly—within 60 days of the end of each calendar quarter, usually just before the 60th day. All amounts over $10 are paid.
Who can join APRA?
If you write or compose your own songs, you may be eligible to join APRA. You'll also need to match one or more of the following criteria:
- You or someone else performs your songs live OR
- Your songs are broadcast on radio or TV OR
- Your songs are available to stream online.
You can't join if you're a member of an overseas Performing Rights Organisation. If you're in a band, only the members who write or compose music need to join.
Who can join AMCOS?
Joining AMCOS is separate from joining APRA. You may want to join AMCOS if you have unpublished works released on a recording for sale to the public or reproduced in a production music recording. You can join AMCOS if:
- You're a copyright owner of musical works;
- You don't already belong to an overseas mechanical rights organisation;
- At least one of your works is unpublished and has been commercially reproduced eg: available on a digital music service like Spotify or Apple Music, released as a physical product by a third party, or reproduced in a production music recording.