What is Sound Recording?

A sound recording is the captured audio performance of music, speech, or other sounds that has been fixed into a physical or digital format. This recording represents the specific performance that listeners hear, such as a studio recording of a song or a live performance captured on audio. Sound recordings can exist in formats such as digital files, vinyl records, CDs, or other audio media.

In copyright and music licensing, a sound recording is distinct from the musical composition. The composition refers to the written music and lyrics created by the songwriter, while the sound recording refers to the actual recorded performance of that composition. Different artists may record their own versions of the same composition, resulting in multiple sound recordings of the same song.

Ownership of a sound recording typically belongs to the master rights holder, which may be a record label, producer, or the artist themselves if they financed the recording. These rights allow the owner to control how the recording is distributed, streamed, licensed, or used in media such as films, advertisements, and digital platforms.