Question 1

What are the two sides of a sync placement?

Accepted Answer

Master side: the recording is licensed for use, master owner gets a sync fee plus master backend (if applicable). Publishing side: the underlying composition is licensed, publisher gets a sync fee plus performance royalties through your PRO. Most placements pay both. Most artists collect only the master.

Question 2

What is a cue sheet?

Accepted Answer

A document filed with your PRO listing every piece of music used in a TV/film production, with timestamps. It is what triggers performance royalty payments. No cue sheet, no performance backend, regardless of how many people watch the show. Maude checks whether your placement has a cue sheet on file.

Question 3

How long until I see sync backend?

Accepted Answer

Master backend (if your deal has it) lands on the next distributor statement, 30–90 days out. Publishing performance from a PRO lands 6–9 months after the air date and pays in two or three installments over the following two years. International performance can take even longer. Long lags are normal; missing payments are not.

Question 4

What if my song was used and I got no sync fee at all?

Accepted Answer

Two possibilities: (1) it was licensed through a blanket license your publisher cut and the fee was bundled, or (2) it was used without a license and you have a clearance issue. Maude flags which one is more likely and what evidence to ask for.

Question 5

Does Maude handle TV, film, ads, video games?

Accepted Answer

All of it. The collection mechanics differ, ads usually pay only a sync fee with no backend, TV and film pay backend through PROs, video games pay through their own clearinghouse, and Maude adjusts the audit accordingly.

Did you collect on both
sides of that placement?

Did I get paid for both sides of every sync placement?

Things people ask before they trust her on this.

Maude handles five more jobs.

Did you collect on bothsides of that placement?

Did I get paid for both sides of every sync placement?

Things people ask before they trust her on this.

What are the two sides of a sync placement?+

What is a cue sheet?+

How long until I see sync backend?+

What if my song was used and I got no sync fee at all?+

Does Maude handle TV, film, ads, video games?+

Maude handles five more jobs.

Did you collect on both
sides of that placement?