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Platforms

SoundExchange for music producers

SoundExchange collects digital performance royalties for sound recordings in the US, from services like SiriusXM and Pandora. It pays recording owners and featured artists. Here is how it works, as of October 2026.

By , a composer with 300+ tracks on audio stock and 12 years in production. Checked on SoundExchange's own pages on 26 October 2026.

Type
Rights society
How to join
Join as a memberFree registration for artists and recording owners
AI-made music
Not statedNo AI policy found on its site

In short. SoundExchange pays royalties for recordings played on non-interactive digital services in the US, such as SiriusXM, Pandora and webcasters. It pays the owner of the recording and the featured artist, not songwriters. Registering is free, and you can register from outside the US. It does not collect for YouTube or other video. Royalties nobody claims expire after three years.

How to join

"It is free to register with SoundExchange." Recording artists and owners of sound recordings sign up to receive their royalties. "Registering with SoundExchange is required to claim and receive your domestic U.S. statutory royalties."

  • Outside the US. You can register. "We require a W-8BEN tax form from all non-U.S. registrants." Without it, 30% is withheld from payments.
  • Producers, mixers and engineers don't register as a party of their own. A featured artist can send them part of the artist's share with a Letter of Direction.

Codes, Content ID and royalties

What it collects. Digital performance royalties: "fees that service providers such as Pandora, SiriusXM, and webcasters are required by law to pay". SoundExchange calls them non-interactive platforms.

The split, set by law:

  • 50% to the owner of the sound recording
  • 45% to the featured artists
  • 5% to a fund for non-featured artists, such as session players

What it doesn't collect.

  • "SoundExchange does not collect royalties for videos or other visual media (including YouTube and VEVO)." For YouTube, see YouTube Content ID.
  • "SoundExchange does not currently collect or distribute royalties for songwriters or publishers." Those go through a society such as ASCAP or BMI, and The MLC.

ISRC. SoundExchange runs a public ISRC search. A Letter of Direction lists each recording it covers, with the ISRC if there is one. See ISRC, ISWC and UPC.

How you are paid

  • Quarterly, at the ends of March, June, September and December. You need at least $10 for direct deposit, or $100 for a check.
  • Monthly, if you are paid by direct deposit and have at least $100 due.
  • Time limit. SoundExchange collects as far back as three years. "after 3 years royalties expire" and it may release unclaimed royalties.

What to keep in your catalog

  • The ISRC of each recording you released, and the featured artist name on it.
  • Who owns each recording, you or a label, so the right party registers it.
  • Letters of Direction you signed for producers or mixers, and the recordings they cover.
  • When you registered each recording, since unclaimed royalties expire after three years.

Sources