FAQs
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Dreaming The Future Together is dedicated to empowering independent artists by providing expert music publishing, label services, and creative consulting. We help you manage your music, maximize your earnings, and expand your creative reach—all while maintaining full control over your work. With us, you're never alone on your journey.
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We offer a range of services including Music Publishing Administration, Creative Consulting (Composition, Music Supervision, Orchestration, etc.), and Digital/Physical Sheet Music distribution. Whether you're looking to protect your music rights or need help navigating the creative process, we've got you covered.
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We help you manage the complex side of the music business so you can focus on what you do best—creating. From ensuring proper royalty collection to offering creative guidance, our team supports you every step of the way. With our expertise, you’ll maximize the potential of your music while retaining full ownership.
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Mechanical royalties are earned when your music is reproduced (e.g., CDs, downloads). Performance royalties are earned when your music is performed publicly (e.g., live concerts, streaming). Synchronization royalties come from licensing your music for use in films, TV, commercials, or video games.
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Publishing Administration focuses on managing your music rights, collecting royalties, and ensuring proper copyright protection. Label Services help with music distribution, marketing, and promotion, handling the release and visibility of your music. Both services are essential, but they focus on different aspects of your music career.
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Copyrighting your music protects your creative work and ensures that you have legal rights to it. Without it, someone else could claim ownership or use your music without compensation. Copyrighting is the first step in securing your music and maximizing its potential.
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Dreaming The Future Together encourages all artists to establish their own music publishing entity to retain greater control and ownership of their work. We’re here to support you every step of the way, whether you’re setting up your publishing company, exploring co-publishing opportunities with us, or simply need expert administration services. Our goal is to empower you at whatever stage you’re at in your creative journey, ensuring your music thrives.
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No matter your background or expertise, we are here to help you understand our services and how they can apply to your idea, plan, or vision. We can help you figure out your options for getting your music out in the world; or explain what roles you need to hire for for your project. Contact us here to schedule an initial consultation.
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Signing up with a Performing Arts Organization ensures that your public performances are tracked and that you receive royalties for them. They handle the collection and distribution of performance royalties, so you get paid every time your music is performed publicly. It's a key part of protecting your rights.
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We prioritize your full ownership and creative control while offering hands-on, personalized support. Unlike larger, one-size-fits-all companies, we focus on building strong relationships and ensuring you have the tools and resources needed to thrive in the music industry.
Glossary of Terms
Music Publishing Terms
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An upfront payment given to an artist or songwriter against future royalties. It’s essentially a loan that is recouped from earned royalties.
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The legal protections and entitlements that artists have over their creative works, including ownership, royalties, and licensing.
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A license that allows users (like radio stations or streaming platforms) to play any song from a Performing Rights Organization's (PRO) catalog.
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The legal protection that gives creators exclusive rights to their music, including reproduction, distribution, and performance.
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Royalties earned when a sound recording is streamed on digital platforms like Spotify, Pandora, or satellite radio.
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A license that allows for the reproduction of a musical composition in physical or digital formats, such as CDs or downloads.
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Royalties earned from the reproduction of a song, such as digital downloads, physical sales, or streaming.
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The information embedded in a music file that includes details like song title, artist name, and copyright data, essential for royalty tracking.
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An organization like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC that collects and distributes performance royalties to songwriters and publishers.
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Royalties earned when a song is played publicly, including live performances, radio, TV, or streaming.
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The process of managing the rights, royalties, and registrations for musical compositions to ensure proper payment and protection.
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Payments made to rights holders (songwriters, artists, publishers) for the use of their music. These include mechanical, performance, and sync royalties.
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The copyright for a specific recorded performance of a song, typically owned by the artist, label, or producer.
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A document that details the percentage of ownership each creator has in a song, crucial for royalty distribution.
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A license that allows music to be used in visual media like films, TV shows, or commercials.
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Royalties earned when music is licensed for use in visual media.
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The portion of royalties paid directly to the songwriter, separate from the publisher's share.
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Operates the equipment during recording sessions, ensuring all audio is captured clearly and at the highest quality.
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Works with singers to get the best vocal performance during recording sessions, often coaching and guiding vocal delivery.
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Supports the recording engineer by setting up equipment, managing cables, and ensuring the session runs smoothly.
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Creates and manipulates audio elements for specific effects or ambiance, often used in film, TV, or experimental recordings.
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Focuses on creating rhythmic and melodic loops that form the foundation of songs, especially in genres like hip-hop and electronic music.
Recording Roles
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The person overseeing the entire creative and financial process of a music project. They ensure the vision is realized and manage budgets, teams, and timelines.
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Responsible for the creative and technical direction of a recording. They guide the overall sound, manage the studio process, and work directly with artists and engineers.
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The professional responsible for combining all individual audio tracks into a cohesive final mix, balancing levels, and applying effects.
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A specialist who polishes the final mix of a song, ensuring it sounds great across all playback systems and formats.
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A professional musician hired to perform on recordings or live sessions without being a permanent member of the band or group.
Theatrical Music Department Roles
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Oversees all musical elements of a production, ensuring consistency and quality. They coordinate with the director, composer, and other departments to align the music with the artistic vision.
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Leads the overall musical vision for a theatrical production, guiding singers and musicians during rehearsals and performances.
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Provides administrative and technical support to the Music Director or Supervisor, often handling sheet music preparation, scheduling, and communication for the Music Department.
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Develops and harmonizes vocal parts for singers in a theatrical production.
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Creates detailed instrumental arrangements from the composer’s material for use by the orchestra or band.
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Prepares sheet music for the performers, ensuring accuracy and clarity in all scores and parts.
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Provides live piano accompaniment during rehearsals, supporting singers and dancers as they prepare for the performance.
Press
Additional Resources
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THESE RESOURCES:
How Does Music Publishing Work? Royalties, Copyrights & More (Soundcharts)
Music Publishing: Everything You Wanted To Know (But Were Afraid To Ask) (Sound On Sound)
A Guide on How to Set Up a Music Publishing Company (Medium)
An Independent Songwriters’ Guide to Music Publishing (Anara Publishing)
How to Publish a Song: 6 Pros and Cons of Self-Publishing Music (Soundcharts)
How to Start a Music Publishing Company (Dark Horse Institute)
How to Start a Music Publishing Company (Music Gateway)
Music Publishing 101: How to Get Started With A Performance Rights Organization (PRO) (Reverbnation)
Music Publishing 101: How To Make Money With Your Music (Musician On A Mission)
Music Publishing Explained: How Artists Get Paid for their Songs (Careers in Music)
Music Publishing: A Primer for Independent Musicians (Indieflow)
Seven Steps to Starting Your Own Music Publishing Company (Songtrust)
Starting A Music Publishing Company (Yona Marie Music)
What is Sync and Why is it Important? (Anara Publishing)
What’s The Difference Between a PRO and a Publishing Administrator? (Tunecore)
When Should a Musician Create Their Own Publishing Company? (LawyerDrummer)