Music Distributors: A Comprehensive Guide

Music Distributors: A Comprehensive Guide

Posted by Peter White on

Digital Music Distribution is your Gateway to a Global Audience.

The company you choose to distribute with is a critical decision in your career. In the past, brick-and-mortar music distributors were the sole gateway for record labels and independent artists to reach their audiences.

Here's what that looked like with vinyl (similar manufacturing processes occurred for CDs and tape cassettes).

First, your song would be recorded and mastered, ensuring that the sound quality was suitable for vinyl. The song would then be recorded onto a physical master disc, such as a DDP or a PMCD, that contained the mastered audio of the song. This disc would then be sent to a pressing plant, where it would be converted into a lacquer disc, also known as a master disc. This disc was then coated with a thin layer of metal, such as silver or nickel, to create a metal master.

 

Second, the metal master was used to make a metal stamper, which is a negative impression of the grooves of the master disc. The stamper would be attached to a hydraulic press, which would press the PVC pellets into vinyl discs. The discs were then trimmed, labeled, and cooled.

Third, the newly minted records were manually placed into the inner paper sleeves and album covers. The final step was to send the albums in their jackets through a shrink-wrap machine. After that, they were ready for distribution. But the process wouldn't end there. From that stage, you would have to secure distribution at record shops across the country, made sure they stocked the records, and then made sure you had all the logistical steps in place to get the vinyl on shelves. You had to know the right people to make this process work.  From start to finish, this process could take months.

So there were a lot of steps, and it was an incredibly expensive process. Artists had to have money behind them in order to afford this. Often that money would come from a label which would also have large share of the royalty and control the artist's project and branding to a great degree.

However, with the digital revolution, digital music distribution has taken center stage, becoming the go-to method for sharing music with the world. 

The barrier to entry is lower. Now, I could make a song on Logic Pro X, or an iPad for that matter, and have it deliver to streaming stores such as Spotify in less than 24 hours. What's more, I could do this for almot zero cost. Seriously. 

Right now LANDR's base plan gives you unlimited releases for $23.99 a year. Distrokid offers a similar one for $22.99 and TuneCore does as well at $19.99. All of them let you keep 100% of your royalties too. And they deliver to over 250+ DSP (Digital Service Providers) such as Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Spotify, and more...

So it is easier than ever to get your music out there. But here's the real question: which distributor should we choose? 

So many options!

In this guide, we'll dive deep into the world of digital music distribution, exploring how it works, and examine the top players in the field to help you make informed choices for your music career.

Part 1: How Digital Music Distribution Works.

Traditionally, music distributors served as intermediaries, getting records into physical stores while record labels focused on promoting and selling those records. These middlemen would often take a percentage of the revenue, leaving artists with a smaller piece of the pie.

While this traditional model still exists to some extent, the role of distributors and record labels has undergone a significant transformation. More time is now dedicated to the online medium, and physical music sales have dwindled. Even CD Baby shut down their physical distribution--which probably was related to the cost of manufacturing physicals.

Moreover, physical distributors primarily concentrate their resources on top-selling records, and even then they are usually part of a novelty campaign such as vinyl prints or CDs paired with a merch line. So it's not even worth focussing on physical distribution really. Indeed, digital distribution is the most important avenue for sharing your music.

 

How Digital Music Distribution Works Today

The goal of digital distribution is to get your music on popular platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, and even social media sites like YouTube and TikTok. These platforms act as digital record shops where users can stream, download, and purchase your music, earning you royalties based on usage.

Digital music stores receive music from digital distribution companies, replacing the days of shipping vinyl records. This shift has made the distribution process faster, more cost-effective, and easily accessible to artists of all sizes.

There's an abundance of music distribution services available, each with its pricing structure and features. It's crucial to research and understand their fees and service offerings in order to make an informed decision. Here are some of the best music distribution services available today:

1. LANDR.  LANDR offers unlimited distribution to over 150 stores for a base price of $23.99 annually, or you can use their studio plan which includes a ton of sample credits for their sample store, unlimited MP3 mastering using their proprietary AI mastering software, 8+ music production plugins, and additional music production courses. It offers so much more than that, but I will dive into that in a separate post. Regardless, it's safe to say LANDR does a lot more than just distribution. And with the introduction of the LANDR Studio subscription (and all its bells and whistles), they've brought in numerous tantalizing features that make the service a unique offer. 

One standout feature of LANDR is the customer service. I have distributed several songs there, and I have sometimes come across issues with the stores. For example, Amazon Music displayed my music on the wrong artist's page once. I brought this issue to the attention of LANDR and their support team quickly helped me sort things out so that the corrections could be made in a matter of days. Ultimately, you want a distributor that will be attentive to your needs, and I feel like LANDR does just that. 

landrGet 34% off LANDR Studio using this referral code

And full disclosure, I will receive a commission if you use my code, but it's a company and service I believe in, and I know they will earn your trust too. I only partner with companies I truly believe in.

Lastly, LANDR now goes the extra mile by offering YouTube Content ID. This allows you to detect and monetize your streams whenever someone uses your content on YouTube.

On the back end, keeping track of your streams and sales is a breeze with LANDR's reporting dashboard. It offers clear insights into your fan base and helps you make informed decisions about your next career moves. You can see your top cities, countries, and much more! Here's a look at some of my details:

 

2. TuneCore. TuneCore is a trusted name in the digital distribution sphere, known for empowering independent artists to share their music with a global audience. With TuneCore, you can distribute your music to top streaming platforms like Apple Music, Amazon, Spotify, Google Play, and YouTube Music just as with LANDR.

One standout feature of Tunecore is its Music Publishing Administration pack. This comprehensive solution helps you manage licensing and royalties, ensuring you get paid for your music usage in various media. I personally use Tunecore for their publishing services, as I have found them to be far superior to Songtrust, which is another player in the space you've likely heard of--albeit a very unreliable one in my opinion. I'll do a write-up on why they are not a great service on another day. 🤝

What's neat about Tunecore is you can use it to handle both your distribution and your publishing needs. So it can be a one stop shop for your music royalties. Indeed, there are other royalties you can collect out there (there always are), but Tunecore will cover your bases very well! 

Just like LANDR, Tunecore also provides valuable insights through robust statistics, helping you track your sales and performance across different platforms. You can also see where your songs are gaining popularity, which is another helpful feature.

And here's a cool stat I found about them.

The company reported $1 billion earned by artists in July 2017 and by 2020, TuneCore artists had reached $2 billion (since inception) in earnings. To date, over 1 million independent artists have used TuneCore’s platform and thousands of them are making over $100,000 each annually.

3. CD Baby. CD Baby is another solid distributor. Let's look at some of the features:

A notable feature of CD Baby is its sync licensing opportunities, opening doors for your music to be featured in TV shows, films, and video games. Additionally, CD Baby collects SoundExchange royalties on your behalf, ensuring you receive your earnings from digital radio. Their sync department may be able to help you get some placements. In my experience, this is really only the case with distributors if you have some clout or decent streams on your project. But in any event, this is a nice possibility to have! 

4. Distrokid. Known for affordability, DistroKid is the go-to choice for budget-conscious independent artists. However, I have learned that some artists have expressed concerns about pricing transparency and ongoing costs to keep their songs live on streaming platforms.

 

For the most part, DistroKid is appreciated for its artist-centric approach, allowing you to maintain full control of your music and release at an affordable price. It also offers video-making add-ons, enhancing your creative options. While its base rate annual fee is budget-friendly, artists should be aware of additional add-ons that can increase costs.

 

So what's it all mean?

Each of these services has its pricing model, whether it's a per-album/single fee or a yearly fee (LANDR, Tunecore).  Choosing the right distributor is a critical professional decision, so ensure it aligns with your needs, resources, and goals. My best advice is to sign up for a couple services, and explore them. I wouldn't necessarily release on different platforms as that would become very confusing, but I would make an account and check out the back end of the interface and see how it feels to you. Ultimately, you should go with the one you feel most comfortable with, as all of the ones mentioned in this article are excellent options!

Looking To the Future:

 

Future Trends in Digital Music Distribution

As technology continues to evolve, the landscape of digital music distribution is poised for exciting changes. Here are some future trends that will shape the industry:

1. Blockchain and Music Distribution

Blockchain technology, known for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, is expected to play a significant role in music distribution. It can create a decentralized and transparent ledger system, ensuring fair remuneration and improved royalty tracking for artists. I have yet to see a single music startup build a viable model for this. Again, I think it's a potential for us to keep on our radar, but up until now I haven't been very impressed by the opportunities. For example, I have heard about blockchain powered streaming services that pay their artists royalties in the form of their own token, but these seem very sketchy to me. What's more, I don't see the general public jumping from Spotify or Apple Music to one of these obscure services.

2. AI in Music Discovery?

It is said that artificial intelligence will increasingly drive music discovery on streaming platforms. AI algorithms will generate personalized playlists and recommend new songs based on listeners' habits. This will lead to more accurate music recommendations and predictive insights in theory. Full disclosure: I am not sure what the applications will be besides Spotify recommending you songs that you're more likely to like.

3. Social Media Platforms as Distribution Channels

Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram are becoming kingmakers in music. For better or worse. They can catapult songs to viral status, making them attractive platforms for artists and labels. As these platforms evolve and incorporate more music-friendly features, they will become increasingly important in the music distribution landscape, and perhaps more important than even Spotify and Apple Music.

Here's one example...

 

4. Direct-to-Fan Platforms

Direct-to-fan platforms such as Bandcamp and Patreon enable artists to distribute music and other content directly to their fans in exchange for a subscription fee. This model fosters a closer connection between artists and their fans, providing a sustainable income stream, especially for independent artists. I think these two paltforms, and others in this space, will continue to grow. Fans are desperate for real, authentic interactions with their favorite artists. A more personalized fan-centered place for communities to gather (other than Facebook groups and Telegram channels) seems likely.

5. Immersive Media Formats

With the rise of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), we may see more immersive media formats in music distribution. Artists could release VR concerts or AR-enhanced album covers, offering fans new ways to experience their music. Again, a lot depends on whether people actually want this, or find utility in it. 

 Conclusion:

Digital music distribution has revolutionized the music industry, providing artists with unprecedented access to a global audience. Whether you choose LANDR, TuneCore, CD Baby, DistroKid, or another service, each platform offers unique advantages to help you reach your music goals. Explore these options and see what works best for you. Honestly they are all solid, and you can't go wrong if you pick one and then focus on going 100% with your project. 

Lastly, as you embark on your music distribution journey, remember that success also depends on your marketing efforts. While distributors can help get your music out there, building a strong online presence and engaging with your audience are what's really crucial. Post engaging content on socials, livestream to connect with your fans, and make sure they are always aware of your upcoming projects and releases. There's no shortcut to success, but with the right distribution service, a solid marketing strategy, and an engaged fan base, your music project will take flight! 

Until next time,

Astara

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