Music Brief
Specification document describing music needed for a sync opportunity.
Definition
A music brief is a specification document that describes the music needed for a synchronization opportunity—whether for film, TV, advertising, or games. Briefs typically include mood, tempo, genre, duration, and reference tracks that indicate the desired sound.
Understanding briefs is essential for sync agents pitching catalogs and for artists creating music with sync potential. Well-interpreted briefs lead to appropriate submissions that have a real chance of placement.
Why It Matters
Sync success depends on submitting music that matches what supervisors need. Accurate brief interpretation separates productive submissions from wasted effort.
For artists and sync professionals, brief literacy directly impacts placement success rates.
Examples in Practice
A brief for a car commercial requests "uplifting, driving indie rock with female vocals, 60 seconds, builds to triumphant finale."
The sync agent reviews their catalog against the brief, selecting five tracks that match the specific requirements.
An artist tailors new songs to common brief patterns they've observed in their genre, improving sync potential.