Master recordings explained

Master recordings are the original recordings of audio performances. The term covers recording as well as post-recording mixes and production edits: masters are the copyrighted recordings that are used for analog and digital duplication.^[1] Master refers only to the recorded performance of a song; it does not cover the composition of recorded material, which is a separate copyright that belongs to the songwriter unless ownership of the copyright is transferred or sold to a separate entity.^[2]

Notes and References

1. Book: Passman, Donald S. . All you need to know about the music business . 2006 . Free Press . 978-0-7432-9318-1 . 6th ed.; [rev. and updated] . New York.
2. Book: Osborne, Richard . Owning the masters: a history of sound recording copyright . 2023 . Bloomsbury Academic . 978-1-5013-4593-7 . New York London Oxford New Delhi Sydney.