Burnett Music is a full-service music company based in Los Angeles, founded in 2014, that provides original music composition, sync licensing, publishing administration, and music supervision for film, TV, brands, and games. The company employs approximately 21 people across the US, UK, and Germany. Best suited for composers and artists seeking a partner that handles both custom composition and catalog licensing across global media.
How Burnett Music Works
Burnett Music operates as a multi-service music company. The team handles original scoring, sync licensing, music supervision, and publishing administration under one roof.
The process works as follows:
- Custom composition: Burnett's roster of composers creates original scores for film, TV, games, and brand campaigns. The company matches composers to projects based on style and experience.
- Sync licensing: Burnett licenses music from its catalog for media use. The catalog includes works by the company's signed composers and artists.
- Music supervision: The company provides full music supervision services, including music search, clearance, licensing, and cue sheet management.
- Publishing administration: Burnett handles publishing administration for its writers, collecting royalties worldwide and managing copyright registration.
- Global network: With team members across the US, UK, and Germany, Burnett can service clients in multiple time zones and territories.
Real-World Example
A game developer needs an original score for a new release. Burnett Music assigns a composer from its roster who specializes in orchestral and electronic hybrid scores. The composer writes 40 minutes of original music over a 3-month period. The fee for a game score of this scope typically ranges from $20,000 to $80,000 depending on the game's budget, platform, and distribution. Burnett handles the contract, publishing administration, and royalty registration.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
Burnett Music represents a modern full-service model where composers get both creative work and administrative support from a single partner.
Consider these points:
- Composer-focused: Burnett signs composers and writers, not just catalog tracks. If you are a composer who creates original music for media, this model fits your career path.
- Global reach: With team members in three countries, Burnett can service international projects. This expands your potential client base beyond your home market.
- Publishing administration included: Burnett handles royalty collection and copyright management. This saves you from hiring a separate administrator.
- Multi-service efficiency: Having scoring, licensing, supervision, and administration in one company reduces the number of partners you need to manage.
Drawbacks / Things to Consider
- Small company size: With 21 employees, Burnett has less capacity than major publishers. The company may turn down projects during busy periods.
- No public submission portal: Burnett does not run an open submission form for catalog tracks. You must contact them directly with a portfolio.
- Limited public client information: Burnett does not prominently disclose its specific client roster or past placements on its website. You must request this information directly.
- Composer-focused model: Burnett primarily serves composers who create original music. If you are a recording artist looking to license existing songs, this may not be the right fit.
- Relatively young company: Founded in 2014, Burnett has about 12 years of operating history. This is less established than legacy publishers with decades of catalog accumulation.
Company Type and Licensing Model
Burnett Music is a full-service music company. The team handles original music composition, sync licensing, music supervision, and publishing administration under one roof. This multi-service approach means clients can source custom scores, license catalog tracks, and manage rights clearance through a single partner.
The licensing model combines per-placement sync fees with project-based pricing for custom work. Sync licensing fees are negotiated per placement. Custom composition and supervision projects are quoted individually based on scope, timeline, and budget. Publishing administration terms vary by agreement.
The company operates through its in-house composer collective, Neon Orchestra. Burnett signs composers and writers to its roster, not just catalog tracks. This composer-focused model differentiates Burnett from pure library companies that acquire finished music.
Catalog and Clients
Burnett Music's production music library contains over 12,000 unique titles. The catalog spans orchestral, electronic, rock, pop, indie, and cinematic genres. All tracks include full stems, edits, and alternate versions for edit flexibility.
The catalog is airing on every major broadcast network and featured in global advertising campaigns.
Notable clients and placements include:
- Amazon MGM Studios ("American Gladiators" series, original theme "Rise Up" by Jelly Roll)
- HBO ("Celtics City" documentary, music supervision by James Tanner)
- NBC ("Songland," winning song "Be Nice" by Black Eyed Peas and Snoop Dogg)
- Apple (Apple Watch digital campaign, "Malcriada" by Jarina De Marco)
- Deadpool 2 (original song contribution)
- "This Is The Year" film (music supervision, indie rock curation)
- "Billy Knight" film (music supervision and executive music production)
- "Cotton Candy Bubble Gum" (music supervision by Rebekah Muir-Zecker)
Founder James Burnett's credits include "Craving" by Arty, Audien, and Ellee Duke (number 1 on Billboard Dance), "Settle" by Jordan Smith (number 1 on iTunes), and "Alone" by Jan Blomqvist and Malou. He is a member of the band Little Dume.
The company employs approximately 21 people across the US, UK, and Germany. It was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA.
Payment Structure
Burnett Music uses project-based pricing for custom composition and supervision work. A game score of 40 minutes of original music typically ranges from $20,000 to $80,000 depending on the game's budget, platform, and distribution.
Sync licensing fees from the catalog are negotiated per placement. Rates vary based on media type, territory, and usage duration. Burnett handles publishing administration for its writers, collecting royalties worldwide and managing copyright registration.
Composers signed to the roster receive project fees for custom work. They also earn performance royalties through their PRO when placements air on broadcast or stream on platforms that report to PROs. Burnett handles royalty registration on behalf of its writers.
Specific split percentages between Burnett and its composers are negotiated per agreement and are not publicly disclosed. The company does not run an open submission portal. Composers must contact Burnett directly with a portfolio.
Comparison: Burnett Music vs Other Sync Licensing Companies
| Company | Company type | Licensing model | Catalog size | Exclusivity | Artist payout | Typical fee range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burnett Music | Full-service music company | Per-placement + project-based | 12,000+ titles | Exclusive | Project fees + royalties | $20,000 to $80,000 (custom) |
| Score a Score | Custom music + supervision | Project-based | Not disclosed | Exclusive | Project fees + royalties | $15,000 to $100,000 |
| Bleeding Fingers | Custom scoring company | Project-based | Not disclosed | Exclusive | Project fees + royalties | $25,000 to $100,000 |
| Secret Road | Sync agency + supervision | Per-placement negotiated | Not disclosed | Exclusive | Split of licensing fees | $2,000 to $15,000 |
| Cutting Edge Group | Music supervision + financing | Project-based | Not disclosed | Exclusive | Project fees + royalties | $20,000 to $100,000 |
Videos
Similar Sync Licensing Companies
- Score a Score - Custom music and music supervision for film and TV
- Bleeding Fingers Music - Custom scoring company for film and television
- Secret Road - Sync licensing and music supervision agency
- Cutting Edge Group - Music supervision and creative music services
Related Resources
- Sync Licensing Companies Directory
- Sync License Glossary Term
- Visit Burnett Music for inquiries
