Split Sheet Example (Filled Out)
Here is a preview of the split sheet agreement SplitChord generates, with separate master and publishing splits, PRO and IPI details, and a signature from every contributor. Every field is explained below.
Sample split sheet agreement
This is a shortened preview. Your actual SplitChord agreements are far more comprehensive, with detailed, robust clauses that adapt to your specific split.
SPLIT SHEET AGREEMENT
Music Ownership & Royalty Division Agreement
ARTICLE I: COMPOSITION IDENTIFICATION
The undersigned parties hereby agree to the following ownership division for the musical composition and/or sound recording identified below:
Title: Neon Overpass
Primary Artist: Jory feat. Sofi Lind
ISRC: QZ-SC1-26-00042
ISWC: T-345.218.906-1
UPC: 000000000042
Label: Example Street Records (fictional)
Date of Creation: January 22, 2026
ARTICLE II: OWNERSHIP ALLOCATION
The parties agree that ownership of the Composition shall be divided as follows. Master Rights refer to the sound recording. Publishing Rights refer to the underlying musical composition (including melody and lyrics).
| Contributor | Role | Master % | Publishing % | PRO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Ellis Reyes | Songwriter (lyrics, melody), lead artist | 25% | 40% | ASCAP |
| Marcus Dale Whitfield | Producer, co-writer (chords, arrangement) | 50% | 35% | BMI |
| Ana Sofia Lindqvist | Topliner, featured vocalist | 15% | 25% | SESAC |
| Devon Michael Park | Recording and mix engineer | 10% | 0% | N/A |
| TOTAL: | 100% | 100% |
ARTICLE III: AGREEMENT & CONSIDERATION
This Split Sheet Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into by and between the undersigned parties (collectively, the "Contributors") in connection with the musical composition titled "Neon Overpass" (the "Composition").
WHEREAS, the Contributors have each made creative contributions to the Composition; and
WHEREAS, the Contributors wish to memorialize their respective ownership shares in the Composition and any sound recordings thereof;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Contributors agree as follows:
Page 1
ARTICLE IV: OWNERSHIP RIGHTS
4.1 Ownership Percentages. Each Contributor shall own the percentage of the Composition as set forth in Article II above. These percentages shall apply to all income derived from the exploitation of the Composition, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
4.2 Master Rights. The "Master Rights" or "Sound Recording Rights" percentages set forth herein represent each Contributor's ownership share in the specific sound recording of the Composition. This includes rights to income from
Full clause text is generated in the SplitChord app for your specific split. Shown below: the remaining clause titles only.
4.3 Publishing Rights
4.4 Administration
ARTICLE V: REGISTRATION & COLLECTION
5.1 Performing Rights Organizations
5.2 Copyright Registration
5.3 Publishing Administration
5.4 Royalty Collection
ARTICLE VI: REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES
(a) Original Work
(b) Authority
(c) No Encumbrances
(d) Sample Clearance
(e) Indemnification
ARTICLE VII: GENERAL PROVISIONS
7.1 Entire Agreement
7.2 Amendment
7.3 Governing Law
7.4 Dispute Resolution
7.5 Counterparts
7.6 Severability
7.7 Successors and Assigns
Page 2
SIGNATURE - CONTRIBUTOR 1
By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to all terms of this Agreement:
Jordan Ellis Reyes
Electronically signed on January 22, 2026
SIGNATURE - CONTRIBUTOR 2
By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to all terms of this Agreement:
Marcus Dale Whitfield
Electronically signed on January 22, 2026
SIGNATURE - CONTRIBUTOR 3
By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to all terms of this Agreement:
Ana Sofia Lindqvist
Electronically signed on January 23, 2026
SIGNATURE - CONTRIBUTOR 4
By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to all terms of this Agreement:
Devon Michael Park
Electronically signed on January 24, 2026
Generated by SplitChord • January 22, 2026
Page 3
All names, emails, codes, labels, and companies in this example are fictional. IPI, ISRC, ISWC, and UPC values are formatted for illustration only. Sample session: Room Nine Studio, Nashville, TN.
What's in a real SplitChord agreement
The preview above stops partway through Article IV. Here is what the full agreement generated in the app includes.
Up to 7 Articles and 20 detailed clauses
Composition identification, an ownership table, recitals, and Articles IV through VII (Article V when PRO or publisher info is listed) covering ownership rights, registration and collection, representations and warranties, and general provisions. A split with master and publishing shares plus PRO and publisher info gets all 7 Articles and all 20 clauses.
Clauses that adapt to your split
A Master Rights clause is added when anyone holds master points. A Publishing Rights clause is added when anyone holds a publishing share. A PRO registration clause appears when PROs are listed, and a Publishing Administration clause appears when a publisher is listed. Article V (Registration & Collection) is included only when PRO or publisher info exists.
A signature block for every contributor
Legal name, role, and master and publishing percentages for each person on the split, plus writer PRO and IPI/CAE, publisher details, and email when provided.
Electronic signatures with dated records
Each signature is placed on the agreement with the date it was signed, so everyone can see who signed and when.
Dispute resolution
Good-faith mediation first, then binding arbitration under the rules of the American Arbitration Association.
Warranties that protect every contributor
Originality, authority, no encumbrances, sample clearance, and indemnification.
Registration terms
When PRO or publisher info is listed, the agreement includes copyright registration within 90 days and pro-rata royalty collection.
SplitChord generates split sheet agreements for record keeping. This page is not legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a music attorney.
What Every Field on a Split Sheet Means
A split sheet is only as useful as the details on it. Here is why each field matters when it is time to register the song and get paid, whether you use SplitChord or a paper template.
Song title, artist, and date
Use the title exactly as it will be registered and released. If the title changes later, note the working title too so nobody can argue it is a different song. The date anchors the agreement to the session where the song was created.
Studio or location
Recording where the song was written helps prove who was in the room. It also helps if you ever need to track down session files or witnesses. The agreement itself does not print a location, so keep it in your session notes (this sample session is listed below the document).
ISRC
The International Standard Recording Code identifies the master recording. Your distributor usually assigns it at release, so it is fine to leave it blank on day one and add it later.
ISWC
The International Standard Musical Work Code identifies the composition (lyrics and melody). It is issued after the song is registered with a PRO. Like the ISRC, you can add it once you have it.
Legal name and stage name
Royalties are paid to legal names, not artist names. That is why SplitChord agreements identify each contributor by legal name: the stage name "M.Dale" does not appear in the example, Marcus Dale Whitfield does. Keep stage names in your contributor profiles so nobody has to guess who "M.Dale" is years from now.
Role
Describe what each person contributed: lyrics, melody, beat, arrangement, vocals, engineering. Roles explain why the percentages look the way they do and prevent disputes later.
PRO
The Performance Rights Organization (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, GMR, PRS, SOCAN, and others) collects performance royalties for each songwriter. If a writer is not affiliated yet, write "Not affiliated" and update it when they join.
IPI number
The Interested Parties Information number is a writer’s unique global ID, assigned by their PRO. Names can be misspelled or shared by two people; IPI numbers cannot. A correct IPI is the fastest way to make sure royalties land in the right account.
Publisher
The publishing company (or self-publishing entity) that collects the publisher’s share for each writer. If a writer has no publisher, they are effectively their own publisher, and many write "Self-published."
Publishing %
Ownership of the composition: the words and music. This drives performance and mechanical royalties paid through PROs, The MLC, and publishers. Only people who wrote part of the song normally get publishing.
Master %
Ownership of the sound recording itself. This drives streaming payouts from your distributor and SoundExchange income. Producers, engineers, featured artists, or whoever funded the session may hold master points even if they wrote nothing.
Signatures and dates
A split sheet only counts when every contributor signs it. Each person should sign and date their own line. Signatures on different days are fine, as long as everyone signs the same version.
Publishing vs. Master Splits
Every song has two copyrights. Publishing is the composition: the lyrics and melody. Master is the recording: the actual audio file. They are paid by different organizations, so they need their own percentages.
In the example, Marcus Whitfield (M.Dale) holds 35% of the publishing for co-writing the chords and arrangement, but 50% of the master because he produced and funded the session. Devon, the engineer, has no publishing because he did not write anything, yet he holds 10% of the master. A single "ownership" column cannot capture that. Read more in Master Rights vs. Publishing Rights.
Why Totals Must Equal 100%
PROs, The MLC, publishers, and distributors check that shares add up. A song registered at 95% leaves money unclaimed. A song registered at 110% triggers a conflict, and royalties can be frozen until everyone agrees.
Common Split Sheet Mistakes
- Totals that add up to 95% or 110%. Every column must equal exactly 100%.
- Mixing publishing and master into one number. They are two separate copyrights and almost never split the same way.
- Using stage names only. Royalties are paid to legal names and IPI numbers.
- Waiting until the song is released. Fill it out before anyone leaves the session.
- Missing signatures. An unsigned sheet is a note, not an agreement.
- Editing percentages after people sign without getting everyone to sign the new version.
Want a Blank Copy?
Download our free split sheet template and fill it out using the example above as your guide.
More detail in our free split sheet template guide.
Split Sheet Example FAQ
What should a filled-out split sheet include?
A complete split sheet lists the song title, artist, date, and location, plus the ISRC and ISWC when available. For every contributor it records their legal name, stage name, role, PRO, IPI number, publisher, publishing percentage, and master percentage. It ends with an agreement clause and a signature and date from every contributor.
Is this the full SplitChord agreement?
No. This page is a shortened preview. A real SplitChord agreement includes the full text of Articles IV through VII (ownership rights, registration and collection, representations and warranties, and general provisions; Article V is added when PRO or publisher info is listed), with clauses that adapt to your specific split, plus a signature block for every contributor.
Do publishing splits and master splits have to be the same?
No. Publishing covers the composition (lyrics and melody) and master covers the sound recording. A producer might own 50% of the master but only 35% of the publishing, and an engineer might hold master points with 0% publishing. Each column just needs to total exactly 100% on its own.
What happens if the percentages on a split sheet do not add up to 100%?
PROs, publishers, and distributors will often reject or hold registrations that do not total 100%, which delays royalties. It can also create disputes over who owns the missing or extra share. Always double check that both the publishing column and the master column equal exactly 100%.
Do I need an IPI number to fill out a split sheet?
No. You can sign a split sheet without one and add the IPI number later. You will need it to register the song with your PRO, so it is worth adding as soon as you have it. Your IPI is listed in your PRO member portal.
Is a split sheet legally binding?
A split sheet signed by every contributor is a written agreement and strong evidence of ownership, which is far better than a verbal agreement. Enforceability depends on the terms and where you live, so consult a music attorney for advice on your specific situation.
Keep Reading
Skip the Paperwork. Use SplitChord.
SplitChord builds the full agreement previewed above on your iPhone, with publishing and master splits tracked separately, totals checked for you, and clauses that adapt to your split.
QuickSplit
Draft a split in seconds while everyone is still in the session.
Remote e-signatures
Collaborators sign from a link or QR code. No app needed.
Master + Publishing
Two separate splits, each validated to exactly 100%.