This interview is with Carlos Palop, CEO at UniteSync.

Carlos Palop, CEO, UniteSync

Carlos, can you tell us a bit about your journey in the music industry and what led you to specialize in the intersection of music publishing and technology?

Sure thing! My experience in the music scene has changed dramatically. I started as a DJ and producer, making and sharing tracks, but I soon became curious about the business side of things—especially how artists and songwriters get paid. Early on, I started monetizing content online with affiliate marketing and driving organic traffic, which helped me understand how digital platforms operate.

As I dug deeper into music publishing, I discovered how messy and tricky the royalty-collection process is. It was frustrating to see talented artists miss out on cash because they didn’t know where to go for their rights or how the system functioned. That’s when it hit me that tech could make a difference.

That’s how UniteSync came to life. I wanted to create something that would help musicians keep track of what they’re owed and do it clearly, automatedly, and can grow quickly. Songwriters should spend time creating rather than getting caught up in red tape. That’s the challenge we tackle every single day.

Your platform, UniteSync, is a testament to your understanding of the challenges artists face. Could you share a pivotal moment in your career that solidified your passion for using technology to solve these issues?

Absolutely. One of the biggest moments for me was when I helped a songwriter find royalties they didn’t even know were missing.

It was early on in UniteSync’s journey while I was trying out different ways to spot unclaimed royalties. I looked through a catalog and discovered a chunk of cash that had been stuck in the system for years because the right claims were never submitted. When I reached out to the songwriter to tell them what was going on and how much they were owed, they had this mix of disbelief and relief. They’d been making music for years, thinking they weren’t earning much from publishing, but really, the system had just let them down.

That moment really hit me. It showed me that the problem was not just some theory—it was very real and it was affecting real lives. From then on, I got really passionate about creating something that could stop these kinds of losses from happening. That’s what drives UniteSync: ensuring no artist or songwriter misses out on the money they’ve rightfully earned.

Many artists struggle with understanding the complexities of music publishing. What's the biggest misconception you've encountered, and how can artists better educate themselves in this area?

One of the biggest myths I've come across is that music publishing royalties will just magically appear if your music is doing well. A lot of artists think that if they're on Spotify, YouTube, or getting radio play, their cash will automatically come rolling in. But here's the reality: if you’re not actively claiming your rights, a big chunk of that money might slip through your fingers or end up in someone else's pocket. The world of music publishing can be pretty confusing, with all these different types of royalties like performance, mechanical, and sync, plus multiple collection societies and overlapping rights.

It's no wonder many artists feel discouraged and steer clear of it altogether. Yet, just getting a grip on the basics can really boost your income. So how do you educate yourself? Start easy. Learn the basics, like what a PRO (Performing Rights Organization) does, how a publisher is different from a distributor, and how to get your songs registered correctly. There are tons of great resources online, and platforms like UniteSync are designed to make things simpler for artists, so you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself.

At the end of the day, knowing what’s going on is super important. Even if you’ve got a team helping with your publishing, understanding how it works lets you keep your career safe and make sure you're getting what you truly deserve.

You've emphasized the importance of artists reclaiming unclaimed royalties. What's one actionable step any musician can take today to start tracking their earnings more effectively?

The first thing any musician can do right now is to take a good look at their catalog and see if their songs are registered the right way with the proper organizations. Here’s an easy way to tackle it: List out all your songs – don’t forget collaborations, co-writes, and anything else you've officially put out there. Check if they’re signed up with a PRO – look at places like ASCAP, BMI, or PRS. If you can't find them, you could be missing out on performance royalties. Search for your songs in mechanical-rights databases – for instance, the MLC in the U.S. collects digital mechanical royalties. A lot of artists don’t even know there’s unclaimed cash waiting for them. Double-check your songwriter splits – if you’ve worked with others, make sure the percentages are accurate.

A wrong split could mean missing out on payments. Try using a royalty-tracking tool – if you want something a bit more automatic, platforms like UniteSync can spot unclaimed royalties and help you collect from every available source. Even if you’re not ready to jump into the deep end of publishing, just taking the time to check what's registered and where can really open your eyes. Many musicians find out they’ve been leaving money on the table for years without even knowing it.

With the rise of AI in music, how do you see the role of traditional publishing evolving, and what opportunities should artists be aware of in this changing landscape?

AI is shaking up the music scene, and traditional publishing is feeling the impact, too. I think publishing isn’t disappearing—it's changing, and artists who embrace these changes will benefit from them. One significant change is how we track royalties and manage rights. AI makes it easier to see where and how music is used, meaning less money gets lost in the shuffle.

But here’s the catch: There's a ton of treated content out there now, making things a bit trickier regarding rights. So, artists and songwriters must proactively claim their work and ensure they get what they deserve. Another massive shift is in how AI helps create music, as we’ve already seen it and its production. Many worry this could diminish human creativity, but I see it as a chance to grow.

Artists who use AI tools can work faster, try out new sounds, and even find new ways to get their music licensed. The main thing to remember is that publishing is still super important, but how we manage rights is moving toward automation and AI insights. Artists should monitor platforms that help them better track their royalties and protect their work in this tech-driven world.

How can artists leverage data and analytics to make more informed decisions about their music publishing strategy, particularly in the digital age?

Data and analytics are changing the landscape for artists, especially in music publishing. Knowing where your royalties come from and how your music is doing can make a big difference in your choices. First, keeping tabs on where your money comes from is super important. Many artists focus mainly on streaming cash but forget about those essential publishing royalties.

If you use tools that track things like PRO payments, mechanical royalties, and sync opportunities, you’ll get a clearer picture of your income. Regional performance matters, too. Streaming and performance data can tell you where your fans are hanging out. If a song is blowing up in a specific country, you must ensure you’re signed up with the local collection societies to snag those royalties.

Also, spotting trends in how your songs are used can be a game-changer. If a track is trending on TikTok or getting played a ton on the radio, that’s a strong hint that you should push for more sync licenses or promote it strategically. Seeing the difference between streaming income and publishing payouts can also point out issues. If your stream numbers are solid but your publishing money is lacking, it might indicate that your songs aren’t registered correctly or that your royalties are waiting to be claimed.

AI-driven royalty tracking is making this whole process smoother. Services like UniteSync analyze a large amount of publishing information to assist artists in finding unclaimed royalties and matching works. The aim is to ensure that every dollar earned goes straight to the correct creator. Ultimately, artists who get their data don’t leave things to chance. They make smart decisions based on real insights. The more they know, the better they can maximize earnings and grow their careers without a hitch.

Transparency and fair compensation are crucial for artists. How can technology contribute to creating a more equitable music industry for both creators and rights holders?

Tech is shaking up the music scene big-time by making it easier and fairer for musicians and those who own rights. A significant issue in music publishing has always been that artists often have no clue where their royalties come from. They might not know how much they should get or if their rights are being appropriately monitored. This leads to confusion and money getting lost or mixed up. Using data automation and AI, we can track royalties in real-time and more effectively find unclaimed earnings.

Forget the old systems that take forever to process payments. Members can match song data immediately, so artists can get paid what they deserve and on time. Then there's a niche, which is becoming a game-changer. Although new, a secure, decentralized database for music rights could resolve ownership disputes and help artists monitor their royalties without extra intermediaries. Another giant step is the rise of direct-to-creator platforms. In the past, managing music rights was usually the responsibility of a few big companies, leaving indie artists out of the loop.

Now, tech is letting artists register their songs, claim royalties, and handle their publishing, giving them far more control over their work. Here at UniteSync, we're jumping on these changes to find missing royalties and make the claims process more manageable, so artists won't miss out on what they're owed. The more open and transparent this system is, the less money slips through the cracks, making the whole industry fairer for everyone involved.

Looking ahead, what emerging trends in music publishing and technology are you most excited about, and how do you think they will empower artists in the future?

I’m excited about how technology advances music publishing toward greater efficiency, transparency, and artist empowerment. A few emerging trends will have a massive impact on the industry. One of the most significant shifts is AI-driven royalty tracking and rights management.

We’re moving toward a system where technology can automatically detect missing royalties, correct metadata errors, and ensure payments reach the right creators. This is a game-changer for artists, especially independent ones because it removes the guesswork and manual labor involved in managing their rights.

Another trend is the expansion of direct-to-creator platforms. The traditional publishing system has always been complex and challenging to navigate. Still, now, artists have more tools to register works, claim royalties, and manage their catalogs without needing a major publisher. This means more control, more transparency, and fewer intermediaries taking a cut of their earnings.

I’m also keeping a close eye on blockchain and smart contracts. While the technology still needs to mature, the potential for decentralized rights management is enormous. Imagine a world where ownership and royalty splits are recorded on an immutable ledger, reducing disputes and ensuring artists are paid instantly when their music is used.

Additionally, the rise of AI-generated music and content identification tools creates new challenges and opportunities. The need for robust copyright protection and licensing solutions will grow as AI music becomes more common. Artists who understand how to leverage these tools—whether to monitor their rights or even collaborate with AI—will have a competitive advantage.

At UniteSync, we’re constantly looking at integrating these innovations into our work. The ultimate goal is to make publishing work for the artist, not vice versa. As technology evolves, artists who stay informed and adapt to these changes will be the ones who thrive in the new music economy.

What advice would you give to aspiring music tech entrepreneurs who want to make a real difference in the lives of musicians and the industry as a whole?

My top tip for anyone looking to enter the music-tech scene is to research the issues musicians face. It's tough to focus on creating a flashy product, but it won't make a real difference if it doesn't tackle the problem. Make sure to spend time chatting with artists, songwriters, and industry professionals so you can get an authentic feel for their struggles, such as missing out on royalties, bad contracts, or not knowing where they stand. After finding a problem worth that, keep things simple and efficient.

The music biz has a reputation for being complicated, and many artists don’t have the know-how to deal with all the techie stuff. The best solutions are the ones that make things easier instead of adding more hassle. Another important takeaway is to be ready for some bumps in the road. The music industry doesn’t always listen to new ideas quickly, and you might run into some pushback if you're trying to break things up. But don't get discouraged! If your solution helps artists, they'll become your biggest fans, and that’s what makes real change. Also, remember to do partnerships and integrations. The music world is scattered; one platform usually can’t do it all.

Making sure your tech works well with what's already there—like PROs, distributors, or streaming services—can help your idea take off and become essential. And lastly, always keep the artists at the center of your work. It's easy for iconic tech companies to start chasing after big companies and industry giants, but the creators need help the most. If you keep them in mind as you develop your ideas, you’ll be thinking about real change and creating something valuable.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Thanks! We’re in a super-exciting time for artists and music right now. Finally, tech is getting up to speed with what creators need, and there are more chances than ever to take charge of your rights, earnings, and how you shape your career. For musicians, I recommend staying updated, asking lots of questions, and not just thinking the system is working for them by default. The more you learn about publishing and royalties, the more control you’ll have over your path.

For those diving into music tech, this is your opportunity to develop solutions that truly make a difference. The industry still needs to be more inclusive and equitable. The more we advocate for new ideas, the closer we’ll get to a world where creators are genuinely valued for their work. At UniteSync, we’re all about ensuring every artist and songwriter gets what they deserve without the usual mess and delays that have held them back for too long. And we’re just getting warmed up!