Do I need The MLC if I already use a publishing admin?

Usually not, because a publishing admin that collects your US digital mechanicals registers your songs with The MLC for you. You’d be doing the same job twice.

The MLC’s four questions page says that when an administrator registers your works and collects digital audio mechanicals for you, you’re “probably NOT a self-administered songwriter.” Your admin deals with The MLC on your behalf. Our guide to mechanical royalties explains what that money is and where it comes from.

There are two catches.

First, a distributor isn’t a publishing admin. Distribution alone doesn’t collect mechanicals. Some companies sell both, and The MLC’s answer on admins tells you to confirm exactly which services you signed up for.

Second, check the work actually got done. Ask your admin whether your shares are registered, then look your songs up in The MLC’s free Public Work Search. Any song your admin doesn’t cover is self-administered. For those, you join The MLC yourself. Membership is open to songwriters as well as publishers and admins, and it’s free.

This matters because unclaimed money doesn’t wait forever. The MLC holds unmatched royalties for at least 3 years, then pays what’s left to publishers and self-administered songwriters by market share. A song nobody registered earns you nothing from that.

If you’re still picking an admin, see Songtrust vs TuneCore Publishing.