FAQ

Clear Music helps brands, agencies, game publishers, trailer teams and entertainment companies find, shape and clear music for global work. That can mean licensing an existing track, creating an original score, making a re-recording or delivering sound design.

We combine music supervision with hands-on rights clearance. We help shape the musical direction, assess what is realistic, negotiate with the relevant rights holders and keep the project moving towards delivery.

Our core services are music clearance, sync licensing, composition, re-records and sound design. We also support music supervision, voice-over and catalogue searches when they are part of a wider project.

We are based in Amsterdam and work with clients, collaborators and rights holders around the world. Our projects span Europe, the UK, the Americas, APAC and MENA.

We have supported work for brands, platforms, publishers and entertainment companies including Adidas, Red Bull, Cartier, Ferrero, Lenovo, Lamborghini, KFC, Genesis, Focus Entertainment, Saber Interactive, PLAION, Supercell, Riot Games, Netflix, Prime Video, HBO Max, Warner Bros. Discovery, Safehouse and Paradox Film.

Music clearance can be complex, fragmented and time-sensitive. We help brands and agencies assess the right route early, manage the rights process clearly and make sure the music fits the idea, budget and way the campaign will run.

Yes. We work with creative and advertising agencies, trailer teams, production companies, design studios, digital teams and entertainment marketers. We support pitches, campaigns, trailers and global releases.

Yes. We support campaigns across Europe, the UK, the Americas, APAC and MENA, working across territories, media plans and release windows.

Music clearance means securing permission to use music in a project. That usually involves clearing the master recording, publishing rights, usage terms, territories, media and any required approvals.

Sync licensing is permission to use music with moving images, such as an advertisement, game trailer, film trailer or online campaign. The work includes rights research, negotiation, approvals, usage terms and delivery.

Clear Music usually needs to clear both the master recording and the publishing rights. Depending on the project, Clear Music may also need to secure artist approval, label approval, publisher approval, territory, term, paid media and platform usage.

Yes. We handle sync licensing for brands, agencies, game publishers, trailer teams and entertainment companies across advertising, games, film, trailers, digital, social and paid media.

Yes. We work with famous songs, major artists, catalogue tracks, independent discoveries and re-records. We can assess whether a track is clearable, realistic for the budget and right for the intended use.

Yes. We clear and create music for game trailers, reveal films, launch campaigns and global game marketing, including rights clearance, re-records, trailer scores, sound design and final delivery.

Yes. We clear and create music for advertising campaigns, brand films, paid media, social content and global marketing. We help agencies and creative teams make music clear, usable and ready for release.

Yes. We support music clearance, music supervision, composition and re-records for film, trailers, streaming campaigns and entertainment marketing, across the required release, territory and media.

If a song cannot be cleared, we help find another route. That might mean a different track, a re-record, original composition, sound design, catalogue music or a revised music supervision approach.

A re-record is a new version of an existing song. It can be useful when the original master is unavailable, too expensive or not the right fit. The necessary publishing rights still need to be handled.

Ideally, before the edit is locked, before a track is promised to a client and before the final campaign budget is confirmed. Early involvement helps us assess what is clearable, realistic and right for the project.

Each project is priced around its scope, rights, usage, territories, timing and creative requirements. We build the quote around what the project actually needs and the budget available.

Share the track name and artist, project type, usage, territory, media, timing, deadline, budget range and whether the edit has already been built around the track. That helps us respond faster.

Yes. We welcome composers from around the world working across games, film, trailers, advertising and entertainment. Send a short introduction, relevant credits, showreel or selected work to composers@clearmusic.com.

Music licensing is the process of securing permission to use a piece of music in a project. This can include an advert, game trailer, film, series, brand film or online campaign.

The licence usually covers the recording, the underlying composition, the territory, the term, the media and the way the music will be used. Clear Music manages that process from the first track idea through to final approval.

Music licensing starts by assessing the song, the project and the intended use. We then identify the relevant master owner, publisher and other rights holders, check availability, negotiate the terms and secure written approval.

The final licence needs to match the actual campaign. That includes territories, media, paid usage, cutdowns, platforms and release dates.

To clear a song, we need the artist and track name, the project type, the intended use, territories, media, term, budget and deadline. It also helps to know whether the edit has already been built around the track.

We then assess whether the song is available, realistic for the budget and suitable for the campaign. Clear Music handles the rights research, negotiations, approvals and delivery.

Master rights relate to the specific recording you want to use. They are usually controlled by a record label, artist or other owner of the recording.

Publishing rights relate to the underlying composition, including the melody, lyrics and songwriting. These rights are usually controlled by publishers and songwriters. Both sides generally need to be cleared before a song can be used with moving images.

MFN means “Most Favoured Nations”. It is a licensing term that gives one rights holder the same fee and often the same key terms as another rights holder in the same transaction.

For example, a master owner and a publisher may both receive the same fee under an MFN structure. The exact wording matters, because MFN can apply to the fee, the term, the territory, the media or other parts of the licence.

Clear Music checks the MFN language carefully so the commercial position is clear before approvals are requested.

Music licensing costs depend on the song, the artist, the recording, the territories, the media, the term, the campaign size and the level of usage.

A global paid campaign usually costs more than a short organic social use. A well-known recording may also require a different budget from an independent track, cover or original composition. Clear Music helps clients understand the realistic options before they commit to the edit.

Union fees are payments connected to musicians, singers or other performers working under a union or collective agreement. They can apply to original recordings, covers, re-recordings, session work and certain usage arrangements.

The amount depends on the territory, union, session type, number of performers, recording length, usage, term and buyout structure. Clear Music helps coordinate the production and licensing requirements so these costs are considered early.

A re-recording is a new version of an existing song. It keeps the underlying composition but uses a newly recorded performance.

A cover or re-recording can be useful when the original master is unavailable, too expensive or not the right fit for the edit. It can also give the team more control over the tempo, arrangement, vocals, instrumentation and final build. The publishing rights still need to be cleared.

Music supervision helps connect the creative direction with a realistic music strategy. Before the edit is locked, the team can assess whether a track is available, affordable, editable and suitable for the campaign.

Early involvement can prevent a project from becoming dependent on a song that cannot be cleared or delivered in time. Clear Music can also develop alternative routes, including licensing, re-recording, original composition and sound design.

Yes. Clear Music works across international advertising, film, streaming, game and trailer campaigns.

We assess the territories, media, term, platforms, paid usage and release windows, then coordinate the relevant master, publishing and approval requirements. We also help develop alternative routes when the first track is unavailable or does not fit the campaign.

Clear Music was founded by former senior executives from Warner Bros. and Universal Music. Our core team includes senior executives, project managers and music supervisors. We also work with a flexible international team of almost 400 composers and sound designers, so we can build the right creative team for each project.