SoundExchange
Market: United States
Overview
SoundExchange is the U.S. collective that collects and distributes digital performance royalties for recording artists, master rights owners, and featured performers when their music is played on non-interactive digital services such as satellite radio, internet radio, and cable music channels.
Market / Platform Focus
Operating primarily in the United States, SoundExchange collects on behalf of rights holders when their recordings are used on eligible non-interactive streaming services. Equivalent bodies collect for non-interactive plays in other territories.
Yes — LabelGrid can register your recordings with SoundExchange. SoundExchange registration is part of how LabelGrid delivers your catalog — for record labels, distributors, and independent artists alike — so eligible US digital-performance royalties can be collected.
SOUNDEXCHANGE AT A GLANCE
- What it is: the US organization that collects statutory digital sound-recording performance royalties from non-interactive services — satellite radio, internet radio, and digital cable music — not a streaming store.
- Typical registration timeline: verify per SoundExchange — timing depends on their processing, not on a DSP go-live.
- What gets paid: the statutory digital-performance royalty, split 50% rights owner / 45% featured artist (paid directly) / 5% to a fund for non-featured artists.
- Territory: United States — equivalent bodies collect in other territories.
- Key identifier: ISRC on every recording, so plays can be matched to the correct payees.
- Royalties: your LabelGrid distribution earnings are tracked in LabelGrid’s royalty accounting, with automated splits from the Basic plan up — SoundExchange collections are paid out by SoundExchange separately.
LABELGRID
LabelGrid Integration
Through LabelGrid, you can simplify the process of delivering your recording information to SoundExchange, registering your recordings so eligible plays can be matched to the correct payees.
Getting Started
SoundExchange registration is handled by LabelGrid as part of your delivery — there is nothing to select. Prepare your recording metadata according to our specifications, and we’ll handle the registration and verification process.
LabelGrid provides the tools you need beyond distribution: catalog management for your metadata and releases, royalty accounting with automated artist statements from the Basic plan up, and promotion tools including smart links and pre-saves.
SoundExchange registration details
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| What SoundExchange is | The US organization that collects the statutory digital sound-recording performance royalty from non-interactive services (satellite radio, internet radio, digital cable music) — a rights-collection body, not a streaming store |
| What LabelGrid does | We can register (or help you register) your recordings so eligible US digital-performance royalties can be collected — Verify current SoundExchange support for your exact catalog and account setup |
| Royalty split | Statutory 50% rights owner / 45% featured artist (paid directly) / 5% to a fund for non-featured artists |
| Key identifier | ISRC on every recording, used to match plays to the correct payees |
| Metadata required | ISRC per track and accurate rights-owner and featured-artist details — Verify current SoundExchange support for full registration requirements |
| Producer / mixer / engineer payments | Handled by SoundExchange via a Featured Artist Letter of Direction, submitted to SoundExchange directly |
| Territory / coverage | United States — equivalent bodies collect in other territories |
| What pays into it | Non-interactive and satellite digital services (for example internet radio, satellite radio, digital cable music) — not on-demand streaming stores |
| Payouts | SoundExchange pays featured artists and rights owners directly; this is separate from your LabelGrid distribution earnings and accounting |
| Typical registration timeline | Verify per SoundExchange — timing depends on their processing, not on a DSP go-live date |
| Delivery method | Registration with SoundExchange by LabelGrid — Verify current SoundExchange support for the exact process |
Requirements can change — confirm current details with SoundExchange.
How long until my recordings are registered with SoundExchange?
Registration timing depends on SoundExchange’s own processing, so verify the current timeline with SoundExchange. Unlike a streaming store, SoundExchange does not “go live” with a playable release — it registers your recordings so eligible US digital-performance royalties can be collected and paid. LabelGrid can register (or help you register) your catalog; the featured-artist and non-featured shares, and any producer/mixer/engineer letters of direction, are administered and paid by SoundExchange directly.
Related: music distribution · royalty accounting · automated royalty splits (from the Basic plan up) · pricing · compare distributors · LabelGrid for labels · LabelGrid help center
WHY SOUNDEXCHANGE
Artist Benefits
Registration is a precondition for being paid — SoundExchange cannot pay an unregistered artist or rights owner. It covers certain types of digital performances that are not covered by traditional DSP payouts. This adds an important revenue stream for artists, labels, and session musicians.
Key Features
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Collects U.S. digital performance royalties for recordings
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Covers non-interactive digital streaming and broadcasts
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Supports both featured and non-featured artists
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Registers your recordings so eligible plays can be matched to the correct payees
DEEP DIVE
What You Should Know About SoundExchange
Digital Performance Royalties
SoundExchange collects a category of royalties that many artists miss: digital performance royalties from non-interactive streaming services. These include internet radio (Pandora's radio mode), satellite radio (SiriusXM), cable music channels, and other services where listeners don't choose specific songs.
Who Gets Paid
SoundExchange splits digital performance royalties: 50% to the rights owner (label/distributor), 45% to the featured artist, and 5% to non-featured performers — non-featured musicians and non-featured vocalists — through the AFM & SAG-AFTRA Fund. As a featured artist, you should register directly with SoundExchange to receive your 45% share.
Tips for Success
- Register directly with SoundExchange as a featured artist to claim your 45% share
- These royalties are in addition to streaming royalties from on-demand platforms
- SoundExchange collects from US-based digital radio services — important for US market revenue
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Try LabelGrid?
Distribute to all major platforms through LabelGrid — with SoundExchange registration handled for you. 7-day free trial. No charge until the trial ends.