Music Publishing for Producers: How to Protect Your Beats
If you’re a music producer, you’ve probably spent countless hours creating the beats that artists depend on to bring songs to life. But while producers often focus on sound design, mixing, and placements, the business side, especially publishing, is just as important. Understanding music publishing is how you protect your beats, secure your ownership, and maximize your long-term income.
This guide breaks down music publishing for producers in simple, practical terms, with insights from Elizabeth Music Group, a global music publisher built by musicians, for musicians.
Why Producers Need Publishing
A lot of producers think publishing is only for lyricists. Not true.
If you contribute any original musical composition - melody, chords, drum patterns, sound selection, arrangement - you are a songwriter in the eyes of the law. That means you’re entitled to publishing royalties.
Skip this step and you’re leaving money on the table.
Publishing pays you when your music is:
Streamed
Downloaded
Played on radio
Synced in TV, film, games, ads, or YouTube
Performed live
Used on social media platforms
The 2 Copyrights Every Producer Should Know
Every beat contains two copyrights:
1. The Master (Sound Recording)
This is the audio file - the WAV/MP3 you export.
Usually owned by:
The producer (if unreleased)
A label or artist (if you sell/lease it)
Master money comes from:
Streaming revenue
Master side sync fees
Sales
2. The Publishing (Composition)
This covers the underlying song: the melody, chords, drum programming, etc.
Publishing royalties are separate from master royalties and producers often forget this part entirely.
Publishing is where long-term money is.
How Split Sheets Protect Your Beats
A split sheet is a simple document that states who owns what percentage of the song.
Producers should always get:
Your publishing share (usually 50% if you’re the sole producer)
Master points (usually 3 points if the song is a major label release)
Clear understanding of what happens if the song gets placed or released
Without a split sheet:
Others can claim percentages that are yours
Elizabeth Music Group stresses this as one of the biggest issues producers run into when artists release music without proper paperwork. Your beat isn’t protected until your split is in writing.
Why Publishing Matters
Let’s say your beat gets placed and the song blows up on Spotify. Great - except Spotify doesn’t pay you publishing directly.
Your publishing royalties flow through:
PROs (BMI, ASCAP, SESAC, etc.)
Mechanical agencies
Global collection societies
YouTube Content ID systems
Sync royalties from supervisors
Foreign publishing royalties
This is where most producers lose money - they simply don’t know where to collect it.
A publisher like Elizabeth Music Group handles:
Global royalty collection
Song registration across dozens of global platforms
Catalog organization
Sync pitching
YouTube publishing monetization
Back catalog discovery (finding unclaimed royalties)
Instead of you figuring out 50+ collection societies worldwide, they do it for you.
Sync Licensing for Producers: The Biggest Opportunity
More producers than ever are making real income from sync licensing.
Your instrumental alone can be placed in:
TV shows
Films
Commercials
Trailers
Video games
Sports programming
YouTube content
Sync fees can range from a few hundred dollars to six figures.
Working with a publisher like Elizabeth Music Group increases your chances because they actively pitch to music supervisors - not just register your songs. Every member of EMG’s publishing roster has access to their exclusive Discord community which houses new sync briefs that are free to submit to!
How to Protect Your Beats Today
Whether you’re just starting or already have placements, here’s what you should put in place immediately:
1. Create Split Sheets for Every Beat Used by an Artist
No exceptions, no excuses.
2. Register With a PRO
This gives you the writer share of your publishing.
3. Don’t Release Without Paperwork
If an artist uploads your beat as a song without splits, it becomes a headache later.
4. Work With a Publisher
Especially if you want sync opportunities or global collection.
5. Keep Track of Your Catalog
Organize:
Beat titles
Collabs
Release dates
Writers
ISRCs & UPCs
6. Protect Your Unreleased Beats
Use timestamps, backups, and non-exclusive agreements until contracts are signed.
How Elizabeth Music Group Helps Producers
Elizabeth Music Group supports producers through:
Publishing collection for global royalties
Sync pitching for TV, film, ads, and games
Catalog cleanup for songs already released without proper registration
Back royalties recovery (sometimes tens of thousands are unclaimed)
Community resources via Discord for collabs, opportunities, and education
Transparent reporting so you always know what you’re owed
Their philosophy is simple: built by musicians, for musicians. Producers get clarity, protection, and real opportunities - not confusion and industry runaround.
Conclusion
Your beats are more than files - they’re intellectual property. The producers who win in the long run understand the business side just as well as the creative side.
By securing your publishing splits, registering your works, and partnering with a company like Elizabeth Music Group, you set yourself up to:
Protect your rights
Get paid fairly
Grow long-term passive income
Turn your catalog into a real asset
You worked hard to make your beats. Make sure they work just as hard for you.
