DIY Sync Kit: What to Include When Sending Music to Film and Streamer Buyers

Struggling to get your music into indie films or onto streamer slates? If you keep sending a single MP3 and waiting, youre wasting time. Film and streamer buyers in 2026 want submission-ready packages: stems, instrumentals, clean edits, complete metadata and a short, persuasive pitch note. This article gives you a practical, zero-fluff DIY sync kit you can assemble tonight — plus a downloadable checklist optimized for indie film teams and streamer commissioning groups.

Why a DIY sync kit matters now (top-line)

Content demand is hotter and more specialized than ever. Late-2025 and early-2026 industry moves — from new indie sales slates to broadcasters striking bespoke digital deals — show commissioning teams are producing more original and licensed content year-round. That means more opportunities, but also more competition and higher expectations. Buyers want tracks they can drop into a timeline without extra engineering work. A tidy, technically accurate, and rights-clear package significantly increases your chances of licensing and speeds up negotiation.

What you’ll achieve with a proper kit

• Faster reviews — buyers can audition multiple versions quickly.
• Smoother clearance — metadata and cue sheets reduce back-and-forth and legal delays.
• Higher perceived professionalism — clean submission increases trust and placement odds. Tips on creating converting presentation pages are covered in guides like Portfolio Sites that Convert in 2026.

Core contents: the must-have items in every DIY sync kit

Below is a prioritized list. If you can only deliver three things, make them: WAV masters, stems, and a one-page pitch note including rights details.

1. Master audio files

• Deliver a high-resolution stereo master: WAV or BWF, 48kHz / 24-bit (48k is standard for picture; some buyers accept 96k if requested).
• Also include a streaming-optimized MP3 (320 kbps) for fast previewing in email or DAM systems.
• Name files like: Artist - TrackName - Master - 48k24bit.wav and Artist - TrackName - Preview - 320kbps.mp3.

2. Stems

Stems are the single biggest differentiator between an amateur submission and a production-ready kit. They let mixers duck music under dialogue or remix to picture.

• Provide stems as separate stereo WAVs (48k/24-bit): drums/percussion, bass, guitars, keys/synths, lead vocal, backing vocals/harmonies, FX/atmospheres, and a full instrumental mix.
• Label stems clearly and include a stem map text file listing what each stem contains and its role (e.g., "Stem 01 - Drums - kick, snare, overheads").
• Include an acapella if available — very useful for title sequences or promos.
• Keep stems time-aligned and the same length as the master. Timecode or zero-point alignment at the start helps editors place music precisely.
• Store and deliver large stem packages using robust object-storage or NAS solutions — recent field reviews of object storage options explain checksums and transfer best practices.

3. Alternate versions and edits

• Instrumental version (full-length).
• Clean edit: profanity removed, if applicable.
• One-minute and 30-second edits (useful for promos and spots).
• Loop-ready two-bar and four-bar stems where relevant (labelled as "loop" and include BPM).

4. Technical metadata file

Embed metadata and include a clear separate metadata sheet. Missing or sloppy metadata is a major cause of lost revenue and delayed placements.

• Include: track title, version, artist, featured artists, songwriter(s)/composer(s), publisher(s), PRO(s) and CAE/IPI where applicable, ISRC (if you have one), label, release year.
• Ownership and licensing contacts: who owns the master and who controls the publishing? Include contact email and phone for licensing inquiries. Make sure your contact handling is integrated with your systems (CRM tips in Make Your CRM Work for Ads).
• Preferred territories and license types (e.g., worldwide, TV-only, streaming-only, theatrical). If you only want non-exclusive syncs, say so.

5. Cue sheet (filled example)

Commissioning teams and post houses will often ask for a cue sheet early. Provide a completed version so they don’t have to chase you. Below is what to include and a simple, copy-ready example.

• Fields to fill: Program/Production Title, Episode, Production Company, Date, Cue #, Cue Title, Cue Start Time, Cue End Time, Cue Length, Usage (background, montage, theme), Writer(s) name & share%, Publisher(s) & share%, PRO affiliation, Master Owner, Master Use %.

Cue example: "Episode: Pilot | Cue #: 003 | Cue Title: 'Midnight Drive (Instrumental)' | Start: 00:22:10 | End: 00:22:45 | Length: 00:00:35 | Usage: Background underscore | Writers: A. Smith (100%) | Publisher: Smith Music (100%) | PRO: ASCAP | Master Owner: A. Smith / Self-licensed | Master Use %: 100%"

6. Pitch note (one-page max)

Think of the pitch note as the 10–15 second verbal hook for your track. Keep it short, visual, and production-aware.

• Include: 1-sentence mood/scene fit, tempo/BPM, key, track length, notable instruments, explicit language flag, and licensing terms you want.
• Example template: "Bright, driving indie-electro (BPM 120, Key A minor) — 2:45 full mix. Ideal for opening montages, travel sequences. Includes instrumental and acapella. No explicit language. Available for worldwide non-exclusive or exclusive buyout. Contact: name@email.com." Use pitching templates from creator-to-media guides like Pitching to Big Media.

Technical specs & best practices (practical settings)

• Sample rate / bit depth: 48kHz / 24-bit standard. Provide 44.1k/24 if the buyer requests music-first delivery, and 96k if explicitly asked.
• File formats: WAV / BWF for masters and stems; MP3 320kbps for previews. Avoid AAC and low-bitrate MP3s as primary delivery.
• Loudness: Dont over-compress. Masters should be dynamic — film mixers frequently request lower loudness so they can place dialogue. Aim for -14 LUFS integrated as a safe preview target, but include unprocessed stems as well. Field capture and monitoring workflows are summarized in recent toolkit reviews like the narrative journalists' toolkit.
• DAW export: Bounce stems with fades disabled (unless the end is intentional). Include a short silent head/lead (1 second) so editors can sync quickly.
• Time alignment: Zero-point align all stems and master. Include a timecode note if you worked to picture reference.

Packaging and delivery: how to send it

How you send a kit matters as much as what's in it. Make the buyer's life easy.

• Zip folder structure:
  • /Audio/Masters
  • /Audio/Stems
  • /Audio/Edits
  • /Docs/Metadata.txt
  • /Docs/CueSheet.pdf
  • /Docs/PitchNote.pdf
• Delivery methods: For demos, use a streaming private link (SoundCloud private, Dropbox preview, or password-protected page). For final delivery use a secure file-transfer (WeTransfer Pro, Dropbox Transfer, or your label's DAM) with a downloadable ZIP containing the full kit. If you handle large masters and archives, consider cloud NAS or object storage platforms reviewed in cloud NAS reviews and object storage field guides.
• Include checksums: Add MD5 or SHA256 hashes for large masters if sending to post houses — its a pro move that prevents data corruption issues. Storage reviews explain checksum usage in depth (object storage).

Pitching strategy: short email + attachments

Send one short email and one link. Do not attach a 1GB ZIP to your first outreach.

• Subject: Project/Buyer + track mood + length. Example: "Pilot Sizzle — 'Midnight Drive' (Instrumental, 00:35)"
• Body: 2–3 lines: visual fit, one-line rights info, single streaming preview link, and a note that full kit is available on request or attached as ZIP for clearance teams.
• Follow-up: If you havent heard back in 10 business days, send a polite, one-sentence reminder with a new 20–30 second scene-specific edit attached. Use pitching cadence templates like those in Pitching to Big Media.

Copy-paste email template: "Hi [Name], I have a cue that fits chase/montage scenes: 'Midnight Drive' — upbeat indie-electro, BPM 120 (00:35 preview). Instrumental + stems available. Non-explicit. Full sync kit available on request. Best, [Your Name] [phone/email]"

2026 trends that change how you package sync kits

Recent industry moves (late 2025 and early 2026) — like broadcasters expanding bespoke digital deals and streamer commissioning teams growing in-house — mean buyers are working faster and at scale. That places a premium on metadata accuracy and quick technical readiness. Key trends to account for:

• More in-house commissioning: Streamers and larger broadcasters are producing more original content and want music they can lock quickly. That increases demand for exclusive options and rights clarity.
• Metadata automation: Rights management platforms and automated cue sheet generation are becoming standard; clean, machine-readable metadata speeds placement and payment.
• AI-assisted discovery: Music supervisors increasingly use AI to surface tracks that match mood and tempo. Accurate tags and short descriptors help your track get surfaced — see work on discovery in AI-powered discovery.
• Social-first edits: Buyers may request 15s/30s vertical or muted versions for promos. Include social edits to stand out; short-form packaging techniques are discussed in Short‑Form Growth Hacking.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Sending only an MP3 and hoping for a miracle.
• Incomplete rights info: vague ownership statements cause delays and kill deals.
• Overcompressed masters with no stems — mixers cant duck music under dialogue.
• Files named "FinalMix.wav" — use descriptive, consistent naming conventions.

Step-by-step example workflow (one-hour kit assembly)

1. Export master and stems from your DAW at 48k/24-bit (15 minutes).
2. Create 30s and 60s edits and an instrumental (15 minutes).
3. Fill metadata.txt and a cue sheet template (10 minutes). For serialized shows and cue-sheet workflows, see file-management guidance in file management for serialized shows.
4. Write a one-paragraph pitch note and format a ZIP with folders (10 minutes).
5. Upload ZIP to your delivery service and craft a short outreach email (10 minutes). Consider secure delivery and NAS/object-storage options in cloud NAS reviews.

Downloadable checklist

Use this checklist to package every submission. Click to download a plain-text copy you can keep on your desktop.

• Download the plain-text checklist

Final notes & next steps

Sync opportunities are increasingly won by creators who combine musical quality with packaging discipline. In 2026, efficient metadata and production-ready stems are as valuable as a great hook. Use the checklist above every time you pitch, and youll reduce friction, speed up placements, and get paid faster.

Ready to send your first pro kit? Start by assembling the basic files (master, stems, instrumental) and use the included email template. If you want a ready-to-send ZIP template or a one-on-one review of your kit, subscribe to our newsletter or reach out to mixes.us for an expert sync kit audit.