Onestop is a boutique music licensing agency representing a 100% one-stop catalog of over 20,000 pre-cleared songs from independent artists, bands, and composers. The company provides music licensing, supervision, and curated playlist services for film, TV, advertising, and digital media. Onestop is a Lead Sponsor of the UK and European Guild of Music Supervisors. The team operates with 2 key executives covering sync and distribution, and is actively hiring a Business Development lead for US sync licensing. Best suited for independent artists whose music is fully self-owned (both master and publishing) and for supervisors who need fast one-stop clearance.
How Onestop Works
Onestop operates as a boutique agency with a curated one-stop catalog. Every track in the catalog is pre-cleared for both master and publishing rights.
The process works as follows:
- Curated catalog: Onestop maintains a catalog of over 20,000 pre-cleared, one-stop songs. Every track is carefully chosen to fit creative visions across film, TV, ads, and digital media.
- One-stop clearance: Because all tracks are one-stop, clients can clear both master and publishing in a single transaction. This eliminates the multi-party negotiation that often delays sync deals.
- Music supervision: Onestop provides expert guidance on selecting, licensing, and placing music. The team handles creative music strategy, rights negotiation with labels and publishers, and clearance within budget.
- Curated playlists: The team creates curated playlists for specific project needs. This saves supervisors time in the music search process.
- Custom music: For projects where catalog tracks will not work, Onestop offers custom music production from its roster of composers.
- Global reach: Onestop is actively expanding its US presence, hiring LA-based sync licensing business development staff. The company signs US-based artists, labels, publishers, and vintage catalogs.
Submission / Application Details
Onestop represents independent artists, labels, and publishers through direct relationships. The company is actively seeking new talent.
- How to apply: Contact Onestop through their website at theonestop.com with a portfolio of work.
- Required materials: A portfolio demonstrating range and production quality. All tracks must be one-stop (both master and publishing controlled by you).
- One-stop requirement: All tracks in the Onestop catalog must be one-stop. If you do not own both rights for a track, it cannot be included.
- Genres sought: The company represents contemporary and vintage music across genres, from modern indie to vintage gems.
- No application fee: Onestop does not charge a submission fee.
- Response time: Onestop does not publish a guaranteed response time. They will contact you if your music fits their catalog needs.
Real-World Example
A music supervisor needs an indie pop track for a European car commercial. They search the Onestop catalog and find a pre-cleared track from an independent Barcelona-based band. Because the track is one-stop, the supervisor clears both master and publishing in a single call. The deal closes in 24 hours. The sync fee for a European TV commercial use typically ranges from $3,000 to $10,000 depending on territory and duration. The band receives their split of the fee within 30 days.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
Onestop offers independent artists a boutique alternative to large licensing platforms. The company's one-stop model rewards artists who own both their master and publishing rights.
Consider these points:
- One-stop advantage: If you own both your master and publishing, you are more useful to Onestop. One-stop tracks close deals faster and command higher fees.
- Boutique curation: Onestop curates its catalog carefully. Your music sits alongside a select pool of tracks, not buried in a massive library.
- Dual-market access: With offices in LA and Barcelona, Onestop covers two major media markets. This gives your music exposure to both North American and European supervisors.
- Guild partnership: Onestop's partnership with the UK and European Guild of Music Supervisors gives it industry credibility and access to supervisor networks.
Drawbacks / Things to Consider
- One-stop requirement: All tracks in the Onestop catalog must be one-stop (both master and publishing controlled). If you do not own both rights for a track, it cannot be included.
- Small team: Onestop employs approximately 2 to 3 people. The company has limited bandwidth for active pitching compared to larger agencies.
- Limited public information: Onestop does not disclose its full client roster, fee structure, or catalog details publicly. You must contact them directly for specifics.
- Relatively young company: Onestop is a newer agency. Its supervisor relationships and industry footprint are still developing.
- No guaranteed placements: Being in the Onestop catalog does not guarantee sync placements. The team pitches actively, but placements depend on supervisor demand.
Company Type and Licensing Model
Onestop operates as a boutique sync placement agency with a 100% one-stop catalog. Unlike production music libraries that create music in-house, Onestop represents existing music from independent artists, bands, and composers. Every track in the catalog is pre-cleared for both master and publishing rights, meaning clients can clear a sync license in a single transaction without negotiating with multiple rights holders.
The company offers three service lines:
- Music licensing: Clients license pre-cleared tracks from the 20,000+ song catalog. Fees are negotiated per placement based on media type, territory, and duration.
- Music supervision: The team provides creative music strategy, track sourcing, rights negotiation, and clearance services for film, TV, advertising, and brand campaigns.
- Custom music: For projects where catalog tracks do not fit, Onestop commissions original music from its roster of composers.
Onestop does not operate a subscription model. All licensing is per-placement. The company was nominated for "Best Sync Team: Sync Agency" at the Canadian Sync Awards by the Guild of Music Supervisors, Canada.
Catalog Size and Genre Coverage
Onestop maintains a catalog of over 20,000 pre-cleared, one-stop songs. The catalog is curated rather than open-submission, meaning each track is individually selected for quality and sync suitability.
Genres represented include indie, pop, rock, electronic, folk, hip-hop, alternative, Americana, soul, R&B, Latin, and disco/funk. The company also represents vintage catalog music, including tracks from the 1960s and 1970s. Notable placements include music in Netflix's "Emily in Paris" (season 5, episode 4), where two vintage Italian records from partner label Kutmusic were licensed.
Client Base
Onestop serves clients across film, television, advertising, and digital media:
- Film studios and independent film productions
- TV networks and streaming platforms (Netflix placements confirmed)
- Advertising agencies producing commercials
- Digital media companies and brand content producers
- Music supervisors working on behalf of production companies
The company is a Lead Sponsor and partner of the UK and European Guild of Music Supervisors, giving it direct access to supervisor networks.
How They Pay Artists
Onestop operates a per-placement payment model. When a track is licensed:
- The sync fee is negotiated based on media, territory, and duration
- The artist receives their split of the sync fee (specific split percentages are negotiated per agreement and not publicly disclosed)
- Payments are typically processed within 30 days of license execution
- Artists retain ownership of their masters and publishing (Onestop represents, not owns)
- Performance royalties are collected separately through the artist's PRO when the music airs on broadcast media
Because all tracks must be one-stop (artist owns both master and publishing), the payment process is simplified. There are no co-writer disputes or label splits to negotiate after a placement is secured.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Onestop | Secret Road | Marmoset | Musicbed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalog type | One-stop songs (20,000+) | One-stop + custom | Curated indie catalog | Curated indie catalog |
| Licensing model | Per-placement | Per-placement | Per-placement + subscription | Subscription + per-placement |
| Custom music | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Music supervision | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Team size | 2-3 people | 10-20 | 50+ | 50+ |
| Founded | 2018 | 2008 | 2004 | 2012 |
| One-stop requirement | Yes (all tracks) | Partial | No | No |
Videos
Similar Sync Licensing Companies
- Secret Road - Boutique music licensing agency specializing in one-stop and custom sync placements for film and TV
- Marmoset - Portland-based music licensing agency with a curated catalog of indie artists for film, TV, and advertising
- Musicbed - Music licensing platform offering curated indie music for filmmakers, brands, and agencies
- Felt Music - London-based music library and sync agency representing independent artists for film and TV placements
Related Resources
- Sync Licensing Companies Directory
- Sync License Glossary Term
- How to Get Your First Sync License: Complete Guide
- Sync Licensing Companies vs Music Libraries: Which Is Right for You
- Do You Own Your Masters: Guide for Independent Artists
- Use our Sync Licensing Fee Calculator to estimate fair pricing
- Visit Onestop for inquiries
