REKN
Neighbouring rights society · United States

How to register with SoundExchange.

Register with SoundExchange to collect digital performance royalties for your master recordings on non-interactive digital radio: SiriusXM, Pandora, internet radio stations, and more.

⏱ 15–25 minutesNeighbouring rights
1

Create Your SoundExchange Account (Free)

Register at register.soundexchange.com. Select both roles if applicable:

  • Featured Artist — for royalties from your own performances
  • Sound Recording Copyright Owner (SRCO) — if you own the master recording (most independent artists)

    • You will need:

  • Government-issued photo ID
  • W-9 tax form (for US residents) or W-8BEN (for non-US residents)
  • Bank account details for direct deposit
  • A list of recordings and their ISRC codes
    • Register at SoundExchange →
    Why this matters

    SoundExchange is the only US organization authorized to collect digital performance royalties for master recordings from non-interactive radio. Under US law, terrestrial radio does NOT pay recording royalties — but non-interactive digital services (SiriusXM, Pandora, iHeartRadio) are required to by statute. If you don't register, these royalties are permanently redistributed.

    Common mistake

    Only registering as a Featured Artist and not as a Sound Recording Copyright Owner. Independent artists who own their masters qualify for both — registering for only one means leaving the other share uncollected.

    2

    Add Your Bank Account for Direct Deposit

    Set up direct deposit in your SoundExchange account settings. Payment schedule:

  • Monthly if you've accrued $100 or more
  • Quarterly if you've accrued $10 or more

    • SoundExchange also supports Cash App for US registrants as an alternative to bank deposit.

    Why this matters

    Without a payment method on file, SoundExchange holds your royalties until you set one up. Older held payments may require additional claim documentation.

    Common mistake

    Leaving this step incomplete and then wondering why no payment arrives. SoundExchange won't send payments without banking details on file.

    3

    Submit Your ISRC Codes

    ISRCs are how SoundExchange matches radio play reports to your recordings. Submit them via your account's recording catalog section.


    If you don't know your ISRCs, log into your distributor (DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, etc.) and look in the track details for each release.


    Each recording needs its own ISRC. Radio edits, remixes, and live versions each have separate ISRCs and should be submitted separately.

    Find ISRCs in DistroKid
    Why this matters

    Without ISRCs, SoundExchange cannot match a play report from SiriusXM or Pandora to your recording. The royalty is collected but remains unmatched — and eventually redistributed to top earners.

    Common mistake

    Assuming SoundExchange already has your ISRCs. They do not — you must submit them. Even a single missing ISRC means that recording's plays are unmatched.

    4

    Set Up a Letter of Direction (LOD) for Producers

    If you work with producers or engineers who should receive a share of your SoundExchange royalties, set up a Letter of Direction (LOD).


    An LOD instructs SoundExchange to automatically divert a specified percentage of your featured artist royalties to a named creative participant (producer, mixer, engineer) every distribution cycle.


    Both you and the recipient must be registered SoundExchange members for this to work.

    SoundExchange LOD Program →
    Why this matters

    The LOD program eliminates the need for manual payment tracking with collaborators. Producers who are owed a royalty split receive it automatically from SoundExchange — protecting your relationships and simplifying accounting.

    Common mistake

    Paying producers manually and forgetting to set up an LOD. Without it, you must manually track and pay their SoundExchange share — which is easy to overlook as your catalog grows.

    5

    Search for Unclaimed Royalties

    Search SoundExchange's unclaimed royalties database immediately after registering. If your music has been played on digital radio before you registered, those royalties may still be claimable.


    Search by artist name, recording title, or ISRC.

    Search Unclaimed Royalties →
    Why this matters

    Retroactive claims are possible — SoundExchange holds unmatched royalties for a period before redistributing. Many artists discover years of unclaimed royalties the first time they check.

    Common mistake

    Not checking immediately after registering. The retroactive claims window is limited. Check now, not later.

    Rekon tracks whether you're actually registered with SoundExchange — and 36 others.

    Connect your platforms once and Rekon flags every registration gap automatically, with the exact fix for each.

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    Rekon is independent of SoundExchange. It is not affiliated with, authorised by, or sponsored by it.