SoundExchange
SoundExchange, Inc. · United States
- Who can join
- Performers, Record producers
- Joining fee
- Free: 'It is free to register with SoundExchange.'
- Yearly fee
- Not published. An administrative rate of 4–6% is deducted from royalties.
- Processing time
- Not published (once processed, an Account Services rep emails a link to set up a SoundExchange Direct login)
- Apply online
- Yes. You register online and manage the account afterwards in SoundExchange Direct (web or app).
- Members from abroad
- Yes, non-US registrants can join. A W-8BEN is required, otherwise 30% is withheld. A treaty country plus a tax ID on the W-8BEN may reduce withholding.
- Featured artists and sound recording copyright owners (usually the label) register to receive US digital performance royalties from non-interactive services (SiriusXM, Pandora, iHeart).
- Non-featured performers (session musicians, backing vocalists) are not paid directly. Their royalties go through organisations such as AFM and SAG-AFTRA.
- Songwriters and publishers are not paid by SoundExchange. Register only if you are also a featured artist or own the recordings.
- Producers, mixers and engineers are paid only through a Letter of Direction submitted by the registrant (artist). LODs are not retroactive unless stated.
Sources and notes
Registration (US statutory royalties) is separate from membership. Membership means signing Membership and Mandate agreements so SoundExchange can collect your royalties abroad.
SoundExchange collects up to 3 years back, and unclaimed royalties expire after 3 years.
Payments: monthly direct deposit at $100+; otherwise quarterly (Mar/Jun/Sep/Dec) at $10 by direct deposit or $100 by check. Local-currency deposit is offered in many countries.
Performer royalties are paid only to the performer, a company they wholly own, heirs/estates, partner societies, or LOD payees. Managers cannot be paid directly.
SoundExchange says it does not work with paid royalty 'brokers'; you do not need one to be paid.
Sources — SoundExchange's own pages, read on 2026-10-06. Fees and rules change: the society's site is the reference.
- www.soundexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SX_RegistrationGuide_1Sheeter_final.pdf (who can join, documents, processing time)
- www.soundexchange.com/what-we-do/for-artists-labels-and-producers/ (eligibility)
- www.soundexchange.com/frequently-asked-questions/ (eligibility, members from abroad, joining fee, yearly fee, application link, notes)
- www.soundexchange.com/register/ (online application)