How to split a song with a producer

The short answer: a producer gets a share of the song only if they helped write it. Their pay for producing the recording usually comes separately, through a fee and points on the master.

Two things you can own: the song and the recording

Every released track has two separate copyrights. The composition is the song itself, meaning the melody, lyrics and core musical parts. The master is the specific recording. A split sheet covers the composition. Master ownership is a separate agreement, usually between the artist, label and producer.

When a producer gets writer credit

If the producer created parts that define the song, such as the chord progression, a signature hook or riff, the topline melody or lyrics, they're a co-writer and belong on the split sheet. In modern pop, hip-hop and electronic sessions the track is often a big part of the writing, so producers are frequently credited as writers.

If they only arranged, recorded, mixed or polished parts someone else wrote, that's production work. It's typically paid through a producer fee and "points," which is a percentage of master royalties.

Even splits vs contribution splits

Many rooms split evenly between everyone who wrote, for example 33.33% each for three writers, no matter who wrote which line. It's fast, it avoids arguments, and it's the most common approach in professional co-writes. Others split by contribution, such as 50% for the track and 50% shared between the topliners. Either is fine as long as everyone agrees before leaving the session and signs.

Put it in writing the same day

List every writer's legal name, their percentage, their performing rights organization (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC or GMR), their IPI number and their publisher. Everyone signs. You'll need those exact percentages when you register the song.

Common questions

Does a producer automatically get songwriting credit?

No. A producer gets songwriting credit only if they contributed to the composition, such as melody, lyrics, chords or a defining musical part. Production work alone is usually paid through a fee and points on the master.

What are producer points?

Points are percentage points of master recording royalties, commonly somewhere around 2 to 5 percent of the artist's royalty for independent deals, though terms vary widely. They are separate from songwriting splits.

What is the most common way to split a song?

An even split between every writer in the room is the most common approach in professional co-writing sessions.