FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL F.A.Q.
What is JuxMusic?
Juxtaposed Music, LLC (aka JuxMusic) is a boutique music licensing and music production company based in New York City that specializes in providing pre-cleared music by top-tier independent artists to film, television, advertising, and interactive media productions.
How does music licensing work?
All the music you hear in movies, TV shows, commercials or video games is licensed for use in those productions, which means that the artist/composer granted the right to use his/her music to the creators of these productions for a fee. Notice here we said “the right to use for a fee.” We didn’t say “sell.” Music licensed nonexclusively is not sold, so the artist/composer owns the rights to the music, and can license his or her music again and again.
What does pre-cleared mean?
JuxMusic offers its clients a streamlined music licensing experience, enabling them to secure music quickly, efficiently and under tight production deadlines. Pre-cleared means that there is no time-consuming approval period with a record label, publishing company or artist to slow down or stonewall the music licensing process. The fact that the music in our JuxMusic Collection is pre-cleared is what makes a quick turnaround possible, which in turn makes our service so valuable to our production clients.
What makes JuxMusic unique?
The quality of music in the JuxMusic Collection is second to none. Our clients have high standards for their productions so they appreciate that we are selective about the music that makes it into the JuxMusic Collection. Also, since JuxMusic is operated by experienced music producers and music supervisors, we have a real-world understanding of our artists’ careers and the priorities of our clients’ projects from each of their perspectives simultaneously, and offer both a tailored and specialized level of service.
SUBMISSIONS F.A.Q.
Where do I submit my music?
Artists of all genres and from all parts of the globe are welcome to submit their music! To start, go to the submit page on our website and upload two mp3 mixes that best present you as an artist. You will be notified of acceptance within 30 days of your submission. Once you become part of the JuxMusic roster, we will ask you to upload audiofiles via ftp client or send CDs of high-quality 16bit, 44.1kHz .wav stereo audiofiles to include in the JuxMusic Collection.
What fees are involved?
None. There are never any artist fees of any kind. JuxMusic gets paid when we do our job and land a placement on your behalf. We get paid when you get paid, and any revenue from your music that is generated through us is split 50/50 between you and JuxMusic.
If I sign up with JuxMusic, can I still pursue other opportunities with all of my music?
Of course you can! Ours is a 100% non-exclusive agreement. Get out there and make it happen!
Is this like a publishing deal? Am I giving up ownership of the copyright of my music?
NO. Our Agreement is completely non-exclusive and we do not own any of the rights to your music.
What if I sign or already have a record or publishing deal, can I still submit my music?
Any and all person(s), and/or entities that have control over any of the copyrights and intellectual property in the sound recordings and compositions you submit must sign the JuxMusic Licensing Representation Agreement.
ACCEPTED SUBMISSIONS F.A.Q.
Once my music is selected, what happens next?
JuxMusic will provide a link to a kit of materials for you to download, complete and return to us. At this time, you will also be able to send us as all the music that you would like us to work with; whether it’s just the original songs that got our attention, or your entire catalog of recorded music. If it sounds good, we want it all!
Who needs to sign the JuxMusic Licensing Representation Agreement?
You and anyone/everyone else who holds rights to the music, masters or publishing must sign the JuxMusic Licensing Representation Agreement. In signing this document, you take legal responsibility for any parties that have not been properly identified as rights holders. Juxtaposed Music, LLC and our clients are indemnified by the Agreement and we claim no responsibility to parties that have not been properly identified. Bottom line: Be certain that you have included all applicable parties (co-writers, band members, etc.) involved in the JuxMusic Licensing Representation Agreement Schedule A form and we’ll be good to go!
How long is the duration of the JuxMusic Licensing Representation Agreement?
The initial commitment is one year. The terms of the Agreement automatically renew every year upon completion of the first year, but without time restriction thereafter.
What kind of music has the best chance of being licensed for commercial use?
Our clients want well-written, well-played and performed music of all genres that is also well-recorded and mixed. After your initial .mp3 demo submission, all music submitted to the JuxMusic Collection should be great-sounding, mastered, 16 bit, 44.1khz .wav audiofiles that are immediately ready for placement.
Does JuxMusic need Master and Instrumental mixes?
By all means submit the best music you have, but presenting instrumental mixes to production clients definitely helps get your music placed. After you’ve printed your final master mix, go ahead and mute all the vocal tracks and print an instrumental mix. Having both versions available allows our clients to cut vocals in and out when editing your songs to their visual media projects. In fact, some clients will only consider songs that have both master and instrumental mixes immediately available!
May I submit a cover song?
With the exception of public domain music – NO COVERS PLEASE.
May I use samples from other commercial releases in the music I am submitting?
Unless you have explicit clearance to use a sample (which you must provide to us,) we can not accept music that has samples.
May I submit songs that have co-writers?
Yes of course! Just make sure you get their signature(s) on the JuxMusic Licensing Representation Agreement, and properly identify them on the Schedule A form.
MUSIC LICENSING F.A.Q.
How do JuxMusic production clients find music for their projects?
Our clients usually rely on our knowledge of the JuxMusic Collection to find music for them, or they browse the Collection with their own personalized accounts. We often present our clients with playlists or CDs of songs for them to consider after consulting with them about their project.
What happens once my music is selected for a project?
Once a client selects your music, we issue a Master Use & Sync License Agreement to the client. This document states the terms of use and license fee for your music. The client signs it, and the check to JuxMusic is cut. From there, 50% of the license fee immediately hits your JuxMusic account. We pay artists at the end of each fiscal quarter, which means you will receive a quarterly check and statement for the total amount that your tracks were licensed for and where / how they were used.
What do production clients do with my music?
They can only do what is agreed upon in the aforementioned Master Use & Sync License Agreement, which may include: sync to footage for film, television, DVDs, videos, games or websites, or run in television ads, in limited territories or worldwide.
Will my music be edited?
Clients may need to edit your music to make it perfectly suit the needs of their project. They can start and end the music at different places in the song, cut different sections together, or raise or lower the the overall level. That’s pretty much it though. They would need your multi-track master to do anything else.
Will JuxMusic let me know if/when my music is used?
Yes. The artists in the JuxMusic Collection are the lifeblood of our business, and although the importance of focusing our attention on the immediate and changing needs of our clients is very high, notifying you when your music is placed in a production is news we will gladly share and celebrate with you.
May I approve a specific license proposal?
Occasionally a client will wish to license a song for exclusive use, in which case JuxMusic will seek the written approval of all rights holders. For non-exclusive licenses – which are much more common, we retain the right of approval on your behalf. This is what allows us to provide the fast and streamlined service that is so valuable to our clients. We treat this right of approval as a responsibility though, and accept song placements with discretion. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t be able to attract and retain the high caliber of music that makes JuxMusic possible.
Do you re-title music submitted for licensing?
Our JUX tag is added to the end of the original song title listed on the cue sheet for the placements that JuxMusic secures. All other placements of your music, namely the ones that JuxMusic does not secure, will not have the JUX tag added to the title on the cue sheet. This is how we ensure that JuxMusic is paid only for the placements we secure.
PAYMENT AND ROYALTIES F.A.Q.
How much will I receive from synch license fees when JuxMusic licenses my music?
Synch license fees vary greatly depending on the type of usage, duration, and territory. These terms become defined, and the licensing fee established in the Master Use & Sync License Agreement between the client and JuxMusic. For instance, use of your song in an internal corporate shareholder meeting held within one calendar year may pay around $100 for the synch license fee. At the other end of the spectrum, when your music is used in perpetuity for a major worldwide motion picture release, the synch license fee can be five, ten, even twenty thousand dollars or more. Plus, that same film placement could bring subsequent license agreements for the DVD release, television broadcasts, and advertising.
And then there are the royalties…
I get paid royalties?
Almost all of the placements secured by JuxMusic pay Performance Royalties. Which means your song’s synch placement can pay you again and again for years into the future. But please know this: in order to receive royalties, you must register with a Performing Rights Organization. (ASCAP, BMI and SESAC are the three major PROs in the US.) The moment one of your songs is placed, JuxMusic will notify your P.R.O. of the exact media and details of the placement. Your P.R.O. will then track your plays and mail royalty checks directly to you. We can’t stress enough how important it is that you register your songs with a P.R.O. and keep your contact information with them current. Doing so gives your music the power to make a lot more money for you.
Do I need to be a member of a Performing Rights Organization? (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC)
Yes. If you are a member of ASCAP, BMI or SESAC, whenever a production with your music airs, your P.R.O. will mail you a royalty check. If you are not a member of ASCAP, BMI or SESAC (or a foreign P.R.O. if you are overseas,) nobody will mail you a royalty check. Check out each P.R.O. on your own and become a member of the one you like the most.
How much will I receive from royalty payments when JuxMusic licenses my music?
Like synch license fees, royalty payments vary greatly depending on the type of usage, duration, and territory terms established in the Master Use & Sync License Agreement between the client and JuxMusic. Over the long term, royalty payment totals often far exceed the amounts of synch license fees. Further questions about your royalties will be answered with a much greater level of detail and accuracy by contacting your P.R.O. directly.
What is JuxMusic’s pay structure?
Gross revenues for every placement secured by JuxMusic are split 50/50 with the artist. This means that single-use/synch license fees secured by JuxMusic are split with artists 50/50, and we cut checks to distribute artists’ shares every quarter. Once a production airs, Performance Royalty payments are mailed directly to artists and publishers individually by the Performing Rights Organizations (ASCAP,BMI, SESAC.) Artists receive their half of the royalties in the form of 100% of the writers share. JuxMusic receives our half of the total royalties in the form of 100% of the publishers share.
Terms of the JuxMusic Licensing Representation Agreement may be open for negotiation at our discretion.
