Music Terms Glossary I-P
This page contains links to music industry terms starting with letters I-P. Click on any link below for a more in depth definition of the term.
A-H || Q-Z
A-H || Q-Z
ISRC
If you are just getting started in the music industry, you might be wondering what ISRC is. This code is an important part of selling music if you your sales to recorded properly. Get the definition of ISRC.
If you are just getting started in the music industry, you might be wondering what ISRC is. This code is an important part of selling music if you your sales to recorded properly. Get the definition of ISRC.
Indie Label
Self funded label not connected to one of the Big Four labels.
Self funded label not connected to one of the Big Four labels.
Jewel Case
Jewel cases are one kind of CD packaging. Learn more about them and your other options when it comes to designing your CD packages.
Jewel cases are one kind of CD packaging. Learn more about them and your other options when it comes to designing your CD packages.
Label
What is a record label? Get the definition of record label and find out more about what they do.
What is a record label? Get the definition of record label and find out more about what they do.
Liner Notes
Album liner notes are the best part of the package to some fans. What are album liner notes? Find out more.
Album liner notes are the best part of the package to some fans. What are album liner notes? Find out more.
Licensing
Licensing music is a way that musicians and labels alike make money. Find out more about what music licensing means and how it could apply to your career.
Licensing music is a way that musicians and labels alike make money. Find out more about what music licensing means and how it could apply to your career.
Load In
Load in is a term used in concert promotion and show booking. Learn more about why knowing what time load in is is important to for your gig.
Load in is a term used in concert promotion and show booking. Learn more about why knowing what time load in is is important to for your gig.
Longbox
If you work in a distribution or in a record store, longboxes are bound to be a big part of your life. Find out what they are and how they can help you add up your CD count.
If you work in a distribution or in a record store, longboxes are bound to be a big part of your life. Find out what they are and how they can help you add up your CD count.
M&D
These kinds of deals are getting harder to find, but for an upstart indie labels, they can give you a real leg up on getting your business off the ground. Get the details on this kind of distribution deal.
These kinds of deals are getting harder to find, but for an upstart indie labels, they can give you a real leg up on getting your business off the ground. Get the details on this kind of distribution deal.
Manager
Artist managers run the day to day business side of things for musicians.
Artist managers run the day to day business side of things for musicians.
Master License
If you want to use a recorded version of a song in your visual media project, you will need a master license for music. A master license sometimes works in conjunction with a sync license - learn more about a master license for master recording rights.
If you want to use a recorded version of a song in your visual media project, you will need a master license for music. A master license sometimes works in conjunction with a sync license - learn more about a master license for master recording rights.
Mechanical Royalties
Understanding mechanical royalties can get a little complicated for bands, labels, and publishers alike. Learn the basics and find out who should be getting what.
Understanding mechanical royalties can get a little complicated for bands, labels, and publishers alike. Learn the basics and find out who should be getting what.
Multi Album Deal
Considering a record deal? Learn about multi album record deals and what they could mean to you.
Considering a record deal? Learn about multi album record deals and what they could mean to you.
Multiple Rights Deals
Multiple Rights deals are becoming more and more common in the music industry. Learn more about multiple rights music contracts, also known as 360 music contracts.
Multiple Rights deals are becoming more and more common in the music industry. Learn more about multiple rights music contracts, also known as 360 music contracts.
Music Trade Show
You can probably rattle off a list of music trade shows and music conventions, but exactly are they? Find out what happens at a music trade show and music convention so you know if you should be adding one to your calendar.
You can probably rattle off a list of music trade shows and music conventions, but exactly are they? Find out what happens at a music trade show and music convention so you know if you should be adding one to your calendar.
Net Neutrality
net neutrality internet neutrality free internet indie music net neutral internet neutrality
net neutrality internet neutrality free internet indie music net neutral internet neutrality
One Sheet
One sheets are sales tools for new releases, and the name gives a very important clue about what form they should take. Find out more about music one sheets.
One sheets are sales tools for new releases, and the name gives a very important clue about what form they should take. Find out more about music one sheets.
P.D. - Per Diem
Per diems, or PDs, are the way bands cover their living expenses while on tour. Find out more about music per diems and how much they should be.
Per diems, or PDs, are the way bands cover their living expenses while on tour. Find out more about music per diems and how much they should be.
PR
Music PR is a big part of promoting your album - it's how you get those reviews that make people want to check out your music. Learn more about music publicity and when you should shell out for it.
Music PR is a big part of promoting your album - it's how you get those reviews that make people want to check out your music. Learn more about music publicity and when you should shell out for it.
Payola
paying radio stations to play songs
paying radio stations to play songs
Performance Rights Act
The Performance Rights Act is making a lot of commercial radio stations in the US sweat. What is the Performance Rights Act and how does the Performance Rights Act impact commercial radio stations? Find out about the Performance Rights Act.
The Performance Rights Act is making a lot of commercial radio stations in the US sweat. What is the Performance Rights Act and how does the Performance Rights Act impact commercial radio stations? Find out about the Performance Rights Act.
Performing Rights Royalties
What are performing rights royalties and who should get them? Find out.
What are performing rights royalties and who should get them? Find out.
Physical Distribution
Physical music distribution is one avenue of music distribution that labels and musicians need to consider. Learn what physical distribution is.
Physical music distribution is one avenue of music distribution that labels and musicians need to consider. Learn what physical distribution is.
Platinum Album
The term platinum album sales is one that gets thrown around a lot but what is a platinum album? How many albums does a record have to sell to be platinum? Learn more in this definition of platinum album sales.
The term platinum album sales is one that gets thrown around a lot but what is a platinum album? How many albums does a record have to sell to be platinum? Learn more in this definition of platinum album sales.
Playlist
If you have a new single out, being on the playlist can be like winning the lottery. Learn more about coveted playlist spots and how they can help you.
If you have a new single out, being on the playlist can be like winning the lottery. Learn more about coveted playlist spots and how they can help you.
Press Kit
A music press kit is important to have to promote your new releases and concerts. Learn more about music press packs.
A music press kit is important to have to promote your new releases and concerts. Learn more about music press packs.
Producer Points
Music producers often get paid a deal that gives them points on a record - find out what album points are and how they affect a deal.
Music producers often get paid a deal that gives them points on a record - find out what album points are and how they affect a deal.
Promo
A music promo is primarily used to generate press coverage or obtain radio plays for a new release, but there are other uses. Find out more about music promos and how they differ from music demos.
A music promo is primarily used to generate press coverage or obtain radio plays for a new release, but there are other uses. Find out more about music promos and how they differ from music demos.
Promo Package
If you're going to make in this business, you need a good promo package. Find out what exactly a promo package is, and what should be in yours.
If you're going to make in this business, you need a good promo package. Find out what exactly a promo package is, and what should be in yours.
Promoter
What are the responsibilities of a promoter? A promoter can be hugely influential to your music career, so understanding their role is key.
What are the responsibilities of a promoter? A promoter can be hugely influential to your music career, so understanding their role is key.
Publishing
Of all of the subjects in music, song publishing is probably the most complex. Get a handle on the basics, because though it may be complex, music publishing extremely important for musicians.
Of all of the subjects in music, song publishing is probably the most complex. Get a handle on the basics, because though it may be complex, music publishing extremely important for musicians.