FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who is Loft 81 Music?

Do you accept submissions from Artists/Composers?

I have a production company, can I download songs to temp in my projects?

What is music licensing and what types are there?

What are Performance Royalties?

How much can I expect for licensing my music?

Can you guarantee my song will get licensed?

Who is loft 81 Music?
While Loft 81 is a relatively new company, its founders are certainly not new to the music business.  Formed by the joining forces of Terry Ilous, frontman and founder of the rock band XYZ, with two Gold Records under his belt, who is also a successful actor and voiceover artist, along with music industry veteran and producer/publisher, Rick McComas, who has worked with some of the biggest artists/writers in the business.

Loft 81 is currently in control or administers licensing for hundreds of songs from cutting edge independent writers and artists, as well as from songwriters/artists who have sold millions of records.

Our goal in starting Loft 81 is to aggressively market and solicit our catalogs to the Film, Television, Video Gaming, and Advertising markets, utilizing mailings, personal music supervisor and filmmaker contacts, and a state of the art online searchable music database. 

Do you accept submissions from Artists/Composers?
At this time we are not accepting general submissions. However, we will post speccific music searches from time to time. Please check back.

I have a production company, can I download songs to temp in my projects?
Yes.  All we ask you to do is register with us and you will receive a password and be able to sign in.  After signing in, there will be a download button next to the song on your search results.  When you have decided on the songs you would like to license, simply contact us.

What is music licensing and what types are there?
Synchronization License (Sync):  This license is granted by the copyright owner (i.e., the publisher or the writer/composer if they are self-published).  This grants the rights to sync the song or use it in another work, such as a film, television show, video game etc.  This license deals with any use of the song, whether it’s the original recording, a cover of the song, or even if someone on screen sings the song, the film or TV show will need this license, even if only a tiny portion of the song is used.

Master Use License:  This license grants the right to use the actual recording of a song in another work.  The master is owned by the record company or the artist/composer if the song is self released.  In addition, anyone who has recorded a cover of a song also owns their own master recording of that song.  The film or TV show etc. obtains a Master Use License from whoever owns the actual master recording they use.  (Remember they also need a Sync License to use the song in their Film or TV show.)

Mechanical License: This deals with making and selling copies of a sound recording only, such as CDs, cassettes, etc.  For example, one could make a cover of a popular song, and release the song on a CD.  As long as they follow the rules set up by the law, notify, and pay a compulsory rate to the publisher (this is paid to the publisher at a rate of (cents per copy) etc., and is a set rate), the publisher cannot stop them from releasing a cover version of that song as a sound recording (Note:  In most cases, by working with the publisher, a better deal than the compulsory rate, or at least a better payment schedule can be worked out).

However, if we were to try to license that master in another work, like a Film or TV show, the Film or TV show would also need to obtain a Sync License from the publisher.  Alternatively, if we were acting as music supervisor, we would obtain that license for them.

What are Performance Royalties?
Anytime a song is broadcast on radio, TV, etc., the broadcaster pays a performance fee to a Performance Organization (i.e.,  ASCAP, BMI, SESAC etc.).

How much can I expect to pay for a music license ?
Rates are determined by many factors, including:

• The popularity or demand for the music or composer/songwriter being considered.

• The budget of the production company.

• Whether or not a record company or music publisher is underwriting or otherwise involved in the financing of the music budget for the film.

• Whether there will be a soundtrack album for the film.

• The previous fee history for the composer or songwriter

• Other related elements of the deal - for example if multiple songs are being licensed from the same Artist or catalog.

Loft 81 will do all it can to negotiate the fairest fees possible for both parties in any licensing transaction.

For a more detailed breakdown of our pricing, please contact us.

Can you guarantee my song will get licensed?
Unfortunately no.  While we may think your song is perfect for a particular use, the decision to license a piece of music for film, TV, etc., is up to the Licensee (person licensing the song), and not up to us.

Disclaimer:  The information contained in this website is deemed to be correct.  Loft 81 Music is not responsible for any errors and omissions.