How to Choose the Right Tracks for Sync Licensing

If you’ve ever uploaded music to a sync platform and heard crickets, you’re not alone.

Most artists assume, “If it’s a good song, it’ll get placed.”
But sync doesn’t work like that.

Music supervisors and sync libraries aren’t looking for the next pop star. They’re looking for tracks that fit scenes, drive emotion, and are easy to sync license.

So how do you know which of your tracks have real sync potential?

Let’s break it down.

First: What Are Sync Libraries Actually Looking For?

Music libraries serve editors, marketers, and creatives who need music for content. That means:

• Emotion and vibe > complexity
• Simplicity > novelty
• Licensability > fame

A good sync track often has:

A clear mood
Universal lyrics (if any)
Minimal or no samples
Solid production
Alternate mixes and stems

It doesn’t need to be a hit. It just needs to work.

1. Start With Instrumentals

Got a beat tape or cinematic score? Perfect.

Instrumental tracks often perform better in sync than vocal ones, because:

• They don’t compete with dialogue
• They’re flexible across genres
• They’re easier to loop and edit

If your vocals are front and center, consider uploading an instrumental version too.

2. Avoid Overly Personal Lyrics

Songs about your ex or your hometown are great for fans. But for sync, general wins.

Here’s what sync-friendly lyrics sound like:

“Remember when we kissed at 4th and Main?”
“I still think about you every night”

Think universal themes: love, ambition, freedom, transformation, etc.

3. Check the Structure

Does your song build? Drop? Resolve?

Sync tracks should move like a story. Many sync libraries (and That Pitch briefs) prefer tracks that:

• Start minimal
• Add layers
• Hit a clear climax
• End with a button (not a fade)

You want editors to feel something — and have an easy time cutting to it.

4. Check Your Rights

This is a deal-breaker.

You must control:

• 100% of the master
• 100% of the publishing

If you’ve got co-writers, samples, or label contracts, make sure everything’s cleared — or skip that track for now.

That Pitch can’t pitch music you don’t fully control. (And sync libraries definitely won’t risk it.)

5. Use Metadata Wisely

When uploading, always tag:

• Genre
• Moods
• BPM
• Instruments
• Vocal type (male/female/none)
• Similar artists

It’s not busywork. This is how sync libraries find your track in the first place.

The more accurate your tags, the more pitches you’ll land.

6. Prioritize What’s Already Ready

You don’t need a fresh mix to get started. Just make sure:

The track is mastered
You have WAV + MP3 + Stems
Metadata is filled out
Rights are cleared

Already have a track that fits the above? Great — upload it today.

Bonus: Still Not Sure? Ask Us.

If you’re a That Pitch member, you can submit tracks and get real feedback from our A&R team and even sync libraries themselves. We’ll tell you straight up whether it’s a fit — and how to improve it if not.

We don’t want you wasting time uploading music that won’t work. We want you placing music that will.

Wanna get your tracks into 100+ top music libraries?
Join free. Upload unlimited music. Keep 100% of your earnings.
👉 thatpitch.com