Pre-internet, it was much harder for Anyone who contributes to creating or performing a musical work, a live performance, or a sound recording. to release their Typically, the recorded performance of a musical work protected as a phonogram under copyright law. without the help of a A company that invests in, manufactures, distributes, promotes, and monetizes sound recordings on behalf of the artist.. But now it's easier for independent, Artists that release their music without the support of a record label. to release their sound recordings, grow a fan base, and build a successful career with the help of a music distribution service.
Artists can choose to distribute via a A company or service that delivers music to digital streaming platforms and physical retail stores., which handles both physical and digital distribution, or via an A type of distributor that only distributes sound recordings to online stores and streaming platforms., which exclusively handles digital distribution. Learn more about the types of distribution in our Distribution and Marketing topic.
Note creators can't release a sound recording directly to most Digital Service Provider: an online platform that provides streaming or download services to consumers.. You must either have a record label or use a music distributor or aggregator to do it for you.
What is a music distributor?
A music distributor is a company or service that helps independent self-releasing creators and record labels deliver their music to digital streaming platforms (DSPs) and physical retail stores. Unlike a record label, they don't usually make a creative assessment of creators' sound recordings and don't require long-term agreements. You can usually release on a song-by-song basis.
Using a distributor is often easy for creators, simply sign up to your chosen service and follow the service's process to upload your sound recordings, accompanying Artwork used for commercial release of music., and release Data that describes other data, for example, information that describes creators, other rights holders, musical works, and sound recordings.. Some distributors offer additional services that help you market and promote your sound recordings, though that may come with an extra cost or greater share of your Money paid for the right to use a musical work, performance, or sound recording, typically, but not always, in the form of recurring payments..
When it comes to The ownership of rights in a song under copyright law and , music distributors are independent services so have no ownership of self-releasing creators' sound recordings. However, some services may offer a An agreement where a record label agrees to distribute the sound recordings of a self-releasing artist or an independent record label for a percentage split of the distribution or streaming royalties., which could involve a share in the royalties earned from the sound recording they distribute.
In terms of cost, some music distribution services are free to use but take a percentage of royalties, whereas others will charge an upfront fee in exchange for paying creators 100 percent of the royalties they collect.
What do music distributors do?
Music distributors can provide a range of services to self-releasing creators and independent record labels, including:
Deliver sound recordings to digital and physical retailers
Manufacture Tangible items such as CDs, vinyl records, and cassettes. where applicable
Manage metadata
Generate and assign International Standard Recording code: a unique identifier for sound recordings. and Universal Product Code: a barcode used to track sales and distribution of products; for example, each product (single, EP, or album) is given a UPC. or European Article Number: A retail barcode used to track sales of products. codes
Collect and pay Money paid to the copyright owners of musical works whenever their musical works are reproduced, usually as a sound recording, in a digital or physical format. to creators whose content they delivered.
In addition to the core services, some distributors may provide:
Marketing and Public Relations: a communication strategy or activity aimed at creating public awareness of, for example, a brand, person, or entity. tools or support
A program in which music distributors offer marketing support or financial investment to a creator in return for a royalty share.
To submit a song to be considered for inclusion in a curated playlist.
Music distributors managing the relationship between music publishers and creators.
A license to use a musical work with visual media in a so-called audiovisual work, such as movies, videos, TV shows, commercials, video games, or websites.
Delivering sound recordings to radio stations.
What are some examples of music distributors?
There are a number of distributors to choose from, and different services will be better suited to different creators.
Examples of global distribution companies in 2023 include:
FUGA
The Orchard (owned by Sony Music)
ADA (owned by Warner Music)
Ingrooves (owned by Universal Music Group)
Tunecore
Amuse
Click here to contact us and request to add your company to this list.
Video credit: Tiffany Orvet, Daniel Sundström, Eric Ivar Persson, David Wells, Tobias Leo Nordquist, Ponny Höijer, William Engström, Parapix