Yes, you can pitch songs with leased beats for TV and film sync, provided your license tier explicitly grants Synchronization Rights. Most basic non-exclusive leases restrict commercial sync clearance, requiring an upgrade to an Unlimited or Exclusive license to guarantee 'One-Stop' approval for music supervisors.
Landing a sync placement — whether on a Netflix series, indie film, or major ad campaign — is one of the fastest ways to build credibility and generate serious income as an independent artist.
But here's where most artists get stuck: they don't know what license tier actually grants sync rights. This guide breaks down exactly what you need to know to pitch confidently and avoid legal roadblocks.
What Are Synchronization Rights?
Synchronization rights (or "sync rights") refer to the legal permission needed to pair music with visual media — film, TV, ads, video games, trailers, or online content.
When a music supervisor wants to use your track, they need to clear two things:
- • Master Recording Rights — permission to use the specific recorded version
- • Publishing/Composition Rights — permission to use the underlying song (melody, lyrics)
With leased beats, the producer retains partial rights to the instrumental composition. This is why your license tier matters — basic leases typically don't grant the clearance music supervisors need.
Why Music Supervisors Want "One-Stop" Clearance
Music supervisors work under tight deadlines and budgets. They prefer tracks where they can clear all rights through a single point of contact — this is called "One-Stop" clearance.
If you can't provide One-Stop clearance, supervisors have to:
- • Track down and negotiate with the beat producer separately
- • Wait for approvals that may never come
- • Risk the deal falling through due to uncleared rights
Most supervisors will simply pass and move to the next track. Don't let paperwork kill your placement.
Licensing Safeguard: Sync Rights Comparison
Basic Lease
No Sync- Streaming distribution (Spotify, Apple)
- Music video uploads
- TV/Film sync placements
- One-Stop clearance
- Sync placement fees
Unlimited License
Sync Ready- Streaming distribution (Spotify, Apple)
- Music video uploads
- TV/Film sync placements
- One-Stop clearance
- Sync placement fees (50/50 split)
Exclusive Rights
Sync Ready- Full master ownership
- Unlimited commercial use
- TV/Film sync placements
- One-Stop clearance
- Negotiate your own sync fees
How to Get Sync-Ready with Khrome Beats
If you're serious about pitching to film, TV, or advertising, here's what you need to do:
- 1. Upgrade to Unlimited or Exclusive — This grants you the sync rights and One-Stop clearance supervisors require.
- 2. Get Your Stems — Many placements require separated instrumental and vocal tracks. Unlimited and Exclusive licenses include full stems.
- 3. Document Your Splits — Keep a clear record showing the 50/50 writer/publisher split between you and Khrome Beats (for non-exclusive) or your full ownership (for exclusive).
- 4. Register with Your PRO — Make sure the song is registered with ASCAP, BMI, or your performing rights organization to collect performance royalties from broadcasts.
Sync Placement Checklist
What Happens When You Land a Sync Placement?
When your track gets placed, you'll typically receive:
- • Upfront Sync Fee — A one-time payment negotiated based on the placement (split 50/50 with producer on non-exclusive licenses)
- • Performance Royalties — Ongoing payments every time the content airs, collected through your PRO
- • Exposure — Your music reaching potentially millions of new listeners
Sync fees range from a few hundred dollars for small indie projects to $50,000+ for major placements. Performance royalties can generate passive income for years.
Ready to Get Sync-Ready?
Upgrade your license or go exclusive to unlock sync placement opportunities.
Sync Licensing FAQs
It means the sync coordinator can clear both the master recording and the underlying publishing rights instantly through you, without tracking down third-party producers. This makes your music significantly more attractive to music supervisors who often work under tight deadlines.
Upfront sync fees are typically split 50/50 between the artist and the producer, while performance royalties are collected via your PRO (ASCAP/BMI). With an Exclusive license, you can negotiate your own terms since you own the full master.
Yes, with an Unlimited or Exclusive license you can pitch to as many opportunities as you want. However, once a song is placed exclusively in a major project, that specific placement may come with exclusivity terms from the licensee.
Most sync placements require: unmastered or TV-mix WAV files (instrumental and vocal stems separated), proper metadata with all writer/publisher info, and proof of clearance rights. Khrome Beats provides stems with Unlimited and Exclusive licenses.
The Bottom Line
Yes, you can absolutely pitch songs with leased beats for sync placements — but only if your license includes sync rights.
Basic leases are great for streaming and building your catalog. But if you're aiming for TV, film, or ad placements, you need to level up to an Unlimited or Exclusive license.
Don't let a $50 lease cost you a $5,000 sync placement. Invest in the right license and own your opportunities.