This article demystifies one of the most misunderstood subjects in the music business: what producers are truly entitled to earn. While producers earn publishing royalties by law when they contribute to the musical composition, their share of the masters is not a statutory right but a product of negotiation, contribution, and contractual agreement. The article provides a grounded, practical framework for understanding producer compensation beyond industry myths and assumptions by clarifying the legal distinctions between publishing and masters and examining how producers actually participate in both.
