What a remix license is
A remix license is written permission to rework an existing track and release your version. A remix is a derivative work. It builds on someone else's recording and someone else's song.
That is why a remix almost always needs two sets of permission.
The two rights in every remix
The master (sound recording)
When you use the original vocals, stems or audio, you are using the master recording. It is usually owned by a record label. For independent releases, the artist often owns it. You need the master owner's permission.
The composition (publishing)
The remix still contains the song: the melody, lyrics and structure. These belong to the songwriters, usually through music publishers or a publishing administrator. You need permission from every party that controls a share.
The two owners are often different companies. A yes from the label does not cover the publishers, and the other way around. Ask who controls each side before you assume one person can approve everything.
Official vs unofficial remixes
Official remix
An official remix is licensed or commissioned by the rights holders. The label or artist usually supplies the stems. The terms are set in a contract: credit, fee or royalty, who owns the remix, and where it can be released. Official remixes can be distributed, sold and promoted like any other release.
Unofficial remix (bootleg)
An unofficial remix is made without permission. It may get attention, but it carries real risk. Platforms use audio fingerprinting, so tracks are often flagged. The owners can take them down, claim the income, or take legal action. Many distributors will not deliver a remix without proof of a license.
Some artists allow free, non-commercial remixes, for example for a contest or for social media. If so, get the terms in writing and stay inside them.
Is there a safe amount to use?
No. US courts are split on whether very small uses of a recording are allowed, and a remix usually uses far more than a small fragment. Changing the song's melody or character also takes it outside what the US compulsory license for covers allows. Plan to license.
How to ask for permission
- Identify the owners. Check the release credits for the label, and song credits or collecting society databases for the publishers.
- Make a short, clear request. Say who you are, link to your past work, and explain where you want to release the remix.
- Share a demo if you have one. Owners decide faster when they can hear it.
- Get everything in writing, including ownership of the remix and how income is split.
How it works on Clearhly
Clearhly is a marketplace where verified rights-holder businesses, such as labels, publishers, admins, songwriters and artists, list music they control. You can send a remix request directly to them. Clearhly is currently in private beta.
- Send a license request. Describe your remix, the parts you want to use and your release plans.
- Negotiate terms. Agree on fee or royalty share, credit, ownership and territory.
- E-sign the license on the platform.
- Pay through Stripe. Payment is held for 14 days before it is paid out to the rights holder.
Every rights holder on Clearhly goes through business verification and confirms, for each listing and share, that they own or control the rights they license. Your license is a contract directly between you and the rights holder. A license covering both the master and every composition share covers your use. The full legal terms are in the Terms of Service.
What affects the price
There is no standard rate for remix licenses. Terms are negotiated. These factors usually matter most:
- Deal model. A one-time flat fee, a royalty share on the remix, or both. Some owners pay the remixer instead when they commission the remix.
- Who owns the remix. Owners often want to own the remix master. If you want to keep rights, expect that to change the terms.
- The original track's profile. Bigger songs and artists usually come with stricter terms.
- How much you use. A full vocal remix uses more of the original than a track built around one short phrase.
- Release scope. Formats, territories, term, and whether the remix can be used in ads or film later.
- Number of owners. More publishers and co-owners means more approvals.
- Stems and credit. Whether the owner supplies stems and how the remix is credited.
This page is general information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need permission to remix a song?
Yes, if you plan to release, sell, stream or monetize it. A remix uses the original recording and the underlying song, so you need permission from the owners of both.
Who do I ask for permission to remix a song?
Ask the master owner, usually the record label or the independent artist, and the composition owners, usually the songwriters' publishers or administrator. A song can have several publishers.
Can I upload an unofficial remix to SoundCloud or YouTube?
Without permission it can be taken down or have its income claimed, because platforms use audio fingerprinting. Some artists allow non-commercial remixes, but get that in writing.
Is a remix fair use?
Usually you should not rely on it. Fair use is decided case by case in court, and a remix that reuses large parts of a recording is hard to defend.
How do remixers get paid?
It depends on the license. Common models are a one-time flat fee or a share of royalties from the remix, and the contract also sets who owns the remix.
Can I release a remix if I only use the acapella or stems?
Stems and acapellas are still parts of the original recording and song. You need the same permissions as for any remix.