Collaborating Without the Drama: Split Sheets

Why this matters

Most fights between collaborators aren't about the music. They're about money and credit, discovered after a song starts earning. A split sheet is a simple written agreement, made before release, that says who wrote what and who gets what share.

What goes on a split sheet

• Song title and date.
• Every contributor's name (or artist name), role and contact info.
• Songwriting shares. Who owns what percentage of the composition: lyrics, melody, topline.
• Master shares. Who owns what percentage of the recording, if that's separate.
• Each person's performing rights organization (PRO) and publisher, if they have one.
• Everyone's signature.

The percentages must add up to 100% in each category.

Have the conversation early

The best time to talk about splits is before you start, or right when the song is finished. Some simple starting points:

• Equal split. Everyone who worked on the song gets the same share. Simple and friendly.
• By contribution. Lyrics and melody are split based on who wrote what.
• Beat plus topline. The producer and the writer each take a share of the composition, as agreed.

There's no single right answer. What matters is that everyone agrees and it's written down.

AI and splits

If an AI tool generated part of the music, it doesn't get a share. But be honest about which parts each person made. That's also what matters for ownership. See Who Owns Your AI Music?.

Use it every time

Use a split sheet even with friends, even on "just a fun one." Especially with friends. Use the AIE Split Sheet tool: fill it out, have everyone sign, and keep a copy with your release files.

For how the money actually flows once splits are set, see GET PAID: The AI Creator's Royalty Playbook.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. For a contract with real money involved, talk to a qualified music attorney.