Why Loop Makers Deserve Publishing And How to Secure It

In modern music production, loops and melody packs are at the foundation of countless songs across genres. A simple guitar riff, a moody synth lead, or a piano melody from a loop kit can evolve into a full song. Yet too often, the people who create those loops - the loop-makers - don’t get the credit or compensation they deserve.

If you make loops, it’s important to recognize: you are part of the composition - not just a provider of sounds. That means you deserve publishing, royalties, and proper recognition. Here’s how publishing works, why it matters for loop-makers, and what you can do to claim what’s yours.

What Is “Publishing” And Why It Matters

“Publishing” refers to the rights to the underlying musical composition: the melodies, chord progressions, song structure, and (if present) lyrics.

When a composition gets used - whether through a streaming release, a performance, or synchronization in a film, commercial, or TV show - it generates several revenue streams:

• Performance royalties (radio/streaming/venues/TV)

• Mechanical royalties (when the song is reproduced: streams, downloads, physical sales)

• Sync licensing fees/royalties, when the track is placed in media like films, ads, games, etc.

If you contributed a loop or melody that becomes central to the song, you contributed to its composition and you are legally entitled to a share of those publishing royalties and any sync licensing income. Without publishing, your contribution might be uncredited, and you may miss out on long-term earnings even if the track becomes successful.

Why Loop-Makers Are Frequently Undervalued

Many times, a producer takes a loop, builds around it, and pitches the final beat to an artist. The loop might end up being the signature hook of the song. But unless the loop-maker has a publishing agreement or proper registration in place, they often:

• Receive no songwriting credit.

• Get no backend royalties or publishing income.

• Have no way to track how the song performs or gets used.

In effect, the loop maker's contribution vanishes into the background despite being fundamental to the composition. This undervaluation happens partly because many people don’t fully understand how publishing works, or they treat loops as “samples” or “sound content” rather than compositional contributions.

How Loop Makers Can Claim Publishing for Their Work

If you create loops and want to be recognized and compensated fairly, here are concrete steps you can take.

1. Negotiate Publishing Splits Early

Before you hand over a loop (or sell it, lease it, send it to a producer/artist), clearly negotiate what share of publishing you should receive. Be transparent about whether the loop is royalty-free or whether you want to retain a share of the songwriting publishing. Many loop makers aim for a 10–25 % publishing share, depending on how central the loop is to the final song. In some cases, it may warrant more; in others, slightly less. The key is to communicate expectations up front — don’t wait until after the song is done.

2. Register with a PRO

Once the song is finalized and you have publishing shares agreed, make sure you or your publisher properly register the composition with a Performing Rights Organization (PRO) like ASCAP or BMI (or the relevant PRO for your territory). That way, when the song is streamed, played, broadcast, or used publicly, you’ll be in line to receive performance royalties.

Similarly, if mechanical royalties or sync income are involved, the publishing must be properly registered — with accurate metadata, splits, and credit — for you to collect your share. Without that registration, royalties and licensing income can slip through the cracks.

3. Work With a Publishing Company that Values Loop-Makers

Rather than trying to manage registrations, metadata, splits, foreign royalties, and sync pitches yourself - all of which can be time consuming and complex - many loop makers benefit from partnering with a publishing company that treats loop-makers as full composers/songwriters.

One example is Elizabeth Music Group (EMG), which offers publishing deals and administrative support for loop creators. EMG ensures that:

• Loop-makers get credited properly when their loops are used in songs.

• All necessary registrations are handled globally, so royalties from different territories are collected.

• You have access to a community of producers, writers, and other loop makers — often via an exclusive Discord server — for collaboration and feedback.

• Your music is pitched actively for sync placements (film, TV, ads, etc.), maximizing the chance that your loops result in tangible earnings beyond just streams.

By teaming with a publishing partner that understands the value of loops, you transform from “loop-kit seller” to “co-writer/composer” and make sure you get long-term credit and income.

Elizabeth Music Group was founded by a loop maker named TheZachMichael.

The Bigger Picture: Loop Makers as Songwriters

If you’re a loop-maker, here’s a fundamental mindset shift: You’re not just building kits - you’re writing music.

Whether you hand off a loop to a producer, or someone buys your melody pack - if that melody becomes part of a released song, you deserve recognition and your share of publishing income. Because publishing isn’t just about current revenue - it’s about protecting your contribution, building a catalog, and ensuring long-term income across streams, sync, and global uses.

Loop makers who treat their loops as compositional contributions and manage publishing often turn their loop catalogs into long-term income streams, not just one-off sales.

If you decide to go this route: negotiate splits early, register correctly, and consider working with a publisher like Elizabeth Music Group who sees loop-makers as creators, not just vendors.