- glossary -

a

Accuracy

• the precision in ensuring all metadata, splits, and other important details about a song or music project are correctly recorded and reported.

Ads

• Paid promotional content, often on social media or streaming platforms, used to reach a targeted audience to promote music or an artist.

Album

• A collection of audio recordings issued as a single item, often containing multiple songs or tracks.

Analyze

• The process of reviewing data & performance metrics like audience engagement, streaming statistics, & revenue reports to guide future decisions.

Assign

• To transfer rights or ownership of a work or piece of music to another entity, often through a legal contract.

Author

• The person who writes the lyrics or composes the music for a song.

Audience

• The group of people who listen to or consume an artist’s music, often referred to as fans or listeners.

 b

Brand

• The image, identity, and reputation that an artist cultivates to define themselves in the market.

  c

Catalog

• A collection of songs, compositions, or works an artist or songwriter has created and registered for publishing and distribution.

Composer

• The individual(s) who creates the melody or instrumental parts of a song.

Composition

• The original musical work, including the melody, lyrics, and harmony, typically written by a composer and lyricist.

Content

• Any material (audio, video, text, images) that an artist creates to engage their audience, promote their music, or build their brand.

 Contributors

• Individuals who participate in creating a song, such as writers, producers, featured artists, and session musicians.

Cover

• A new performance or recording of a previously released song by another artist.

   d

Demo

• A preliminary recording of a song used to showcase its potential to collaborators, labels, or potential buyers.

Digital

• Refers to formats and distribution methods using technology, such as streaming, downloads, and digital distribution platforms.

Digital Distribution

• The process of distributing music on digital platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal through online distributors like DistroKid or TuneCore.

Digital Watermark

• technology used to embed information into digital media (audio files, videos) to track usage, prevent unauthorized distribution, and verify ownership.

Distribute

• The act of making music available for consumption, usually through digital platforms, physical media, or streaming services.

Distributor

• A company or platform that helps artists get their music onto streaming platforms, online stores, and other digital spaces for consumption.

    E

EIDR – Entertainment Identifier Record

• A unique and global identification system for a wide range of audiovisual products, from television and movies to radio programs.

Engagement

• The level of interaction an artist receives from their audience, such as likes, comments, streams, and shares.

     f

Fan Base

• A group of loyal listeners or supporters of an artist, who regularly engage with their music and content.

Feature

• A guest appearance by another artist on a track, often contributing vocals, instrumentals, or production.

      g

Grants

• Financial awards given by organizations or governments to fund specific creative projects, typically without the expectation of repayment.

GRID – Global Release Identifier

• A system for identifying digital sound recording releases, as well as other data, for digital distribution​​

       h

        i

Industry Standard

• Established norms, practices, or guidelines in the music industry, including formats, processes, and quality benchmarks.

influencers

• People with a significant following on social media who can promote an artist’s music to their audience, often in exchange for a fee or partnership.

Instrumentals

• The musical elements of a track, excluding vocals, that contribute to the overall sound.

Instrumental Version

• A version of a song that features only the instrumental track, with no vocals.

ISO International Standards Organization

• An international standard-setting body that promotes worldwide standards.

ISRC International Standard Recording Code

• A unique identifier assigned to sound recordings and music videos created in conjunction with ISO.

ISWC International Standard Musical Work Code

• ​A unique identifier assigned to musical works used by PROs, publishers, record companies, and other interested parties on an international level.

ip intellectual property

• intangible creations of the human intellect. The best-known types are patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets.

         j

          k

           l

Legal Aspects

• Definition: The legal elements involved in the music industry, such as contracts, copyrights, royalties, licensing, and intellectual property rights.

Licensing Agreement

• Definition: A contract granting permission for others to use your music in exchange for payment or royalties, commonly seen in sync licensing deals.

Lyrics

• Definition: The words and text of a song, often written by a songwriter or lyricist.

            m

             n

Networking

• building relationships with other professionals in your industry, often to create opportunities for collaboration or career growth.

              o

Organization

• A structured group or entity that helps support, advocate for, or manage aspects of an artist’s career, such as PROs, associations, or labels.

Ownership

• Legal rights or control over a piece of music, including master recordings, compositions, and publishing rights.​

               p

Partnership

• Collaborative agreements between an artist and a brand, where both parties promote each other in exchange for mutual benefits.

Performance

• The live or recorded presentation of music by an artist in front of an audience.

Performer

• The individual or group who delivers the live or recorded rendition of a musical work.

Performing Rights Org. (PRO)

• Organizations like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC that collect and distribute performance royalties to songwriters, composers, and publishers.

Physical

• Refers to tangible music formats, such as CDs, vinyl, or cassette tapes, as opposed to digital formats.

Platform

• A digital service or website where artists can upload, share, and distribute their music, such as pdx radio, Spotify, YouTube, or Bandcamp.

Production

• The process of creating, recording, mixing, and mastering a song or album, often involving a producer and sound engineers.

Promotion

• Activities and efforts designed to increase visibility and awareness of an artist or their music, often through ads, social media, and PR campaigns.

Publishing

• The process of managing, licensing, and collecting royalties on songs or compositions, typically through a publishing company.

Publishing Administrator

• A service or company that manages the administrative tasks of collecting and distributing royalties on behalf of a songwriter or composer.

                q

                 r

Recognition

• Public acknowledgment or validation of an artist’s work, contributions, or success in the music industry.

Registering

• The process of officially listing or documenting your music with relevant pro organizations, to ensure you receive royalties and legal protection.

Release

• The process of making new music available to the public, often accompanied by promotion and distribution.

Reproduction

• The act of making copies of a musical work, whether digitally or physically, for distribution or sale.

Revenue Reports

• Financial statements showing income from streams, sales, licensing, and other revenue sources related to music.

Roles

• The specific duties or contributions of each individual involved in the creation or performance of a song, such as writer, producer, or performer.

                  s

Sheet Music

• Written notation of a song’s melody, lyrics, and chords, used by musicians to perform or learn the song.

Society

• An organization or group formed to promote and protect the interests of its members, such as a Performance Rights Organization.

Split Sheet

• A legal document that outlines the ownership percentages of each contributor involved in the creation of a song, specifying how the royalties and rights will be divided between songwriters, producers, featured artists, and any other contributors.

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