Music Distribution Aggregator Platform Evaluations
Discovering Which Distribution Platform Is Best For You
e chose to cover music distriubtion aggregator platform evaluations in this post, because Emerge exists to help artists and their labels weed through the noise. Choosing the best music distribution aggregator platform for distributing your music is a MUST in the digital age we live in. The distribution of music has changed tremendously during the past few years and even more since the beginning of 2020. The music space has transitioned into a dominantly digital age. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), 83% of total music revenue in the US are from streaming platforms. Before this 21st century digital model of music, distribution relied on the sharing of physical music in the forms of CD’s, tapes, and vinyl records. With this shift, making music available on different music streaming platforms is still relatively new and has staked itself as the new frontier for DIY musicians to conquer.
Deciding what music distribution service you should use is a decision that should be made carefully. The risks and factors built in to distributing music through your own accord are things not to be taken lightly. Before jumping into a deal with any distributors or trusting a distributor with your music, you have to know the benefits, resources and expenses that go into the different distribution options. What do the major labels use and what sets them apart from those used by DIY artists, and which ones will work most effectively for the path you’d like to take your music on?
White-Label Distribution Platforms
White label distribution platforms are the ones used by music distributors and record labels. They are mainly used for minimum 20-50 song distribution and have access to stronger networks than the remaining platforms. The three most popular white label distribution services with music distributors are: Sonosuite, FUGA, and Consolidated Independent.
Sonosuite
Sonosuite offers a space to have complete control over your distribution tools. One of the perks of Sonosuite is their royalty software that helps breakdown numbers for the music that’s been uploaded. This platform is reliable for distributors that need a place to upload multiple artists’ music and can utilize a platform to assist in distributing royalties.
FUGA
FUGA goes above the call for just music distribution across DSP’s. They offer a “full suite” of products with their packages. The comprehensive sales data program that FUGA offers helps consolidate those pesky documents you may have while waiting to input the data into a spreadsheet for all the artists under your repertoire. FUGA offers the most innovative features that are available for streaming services. FUGA would be the most bankable for distributors with a larger reserve of music or artists. This is thanks to their built-in softwares that make it easier to analyze the different stats on your catalogues of artists. Apart from the other white label distributors, FUGA has industry-leading royalty reporting software as well as marketing teams they can dedicate to help labels or distributors make the most out of their platform.
Consolidated Independent (CI)
Consolidated Independent (CI) has been around the longest and most innovative ones of the white label distributors. Starting in 2002, they’ve followed the ebb and flow of the industries distribution changes and have found ways to move through all of the changes. CI has opened up many of their services and are dedicated to keeping the independent industry alive. There’s a sense of community driven motivation in this distributor that could be lacking in the others if you’re focused on staying independent. Being around for a long time gives CI an upper-hand with the expertise and wisdom that they can offer to the artists they encompass.
Music Aggregation Platforms
Aggregator platforms have the most options in the distribution world. DIY artists utilize these to get their music onto the main DSP’s (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, etc.) Fees vary with all these distribution services and sometimes finding the one that fits your budget and gives you the most bang for your buck can be hard, and sifting through all of them can cause you to make a split second decision and choose one that’s not the best for you.
Knowing the benefits and fees that each distributor offers is key to making the right choice.
Sifting through each one can be time consuming and paralyzing when trying to make a decision. So let’s start with the most popular platforms and break down the fees and benefits that are offered through them. To make it easier to navigate, we will go through them in alphabetical order.
CDBaby
CDBaby currently has the most songs released through an aggregator platform showing over 10 million. One of the most accessible to artists and most popular, this one is tried a true.
Who can utilize this? Open to everyone
Breakdown of fees: Currently takes a 9% commission, 1 single is $9.95 and $29 to distribute an album. There is also a Sound Recording Copyright commission percentage of 9% taken.
How long will it take to upload my music? 1-2 days for major streaming platforms
Does this offer Revenue Reports? Yes, easily read.
More important information to know: Noting credits on the song is limited only to the songwriter.
DistroKid
DistroKid probably the most popular today with indie artist releases. The platform has an easily used interface and has shown to be very reliable with their releases and steady with their fees.
Who can utilize this? Open to everyone
Breakdown of fees: Fees are dependent on how many artists you’ll be putting music out through, but there is only an annual fee. One artist starts at $19.99 annually, two artists is $35.99 yearly, and grows from there. There is an option to upgrade to the Musician Plus Plan which costs $35.99/yearly but allows you to set a release date as well as allows 2 artists and customization of your label name and preorder date.
How long will it take to upload my music? Typically 2-7 days, unless you set up for your Musician Plus Plan that allows you to set a release date for your music.
Does this offer Revenue Reports? Yes, but not the easiest to read.
More important information to know: DistroKid allows credits to everyone involved in the project and also offers the splitting of revenue on their platform, which can be helpful for collaborations. The math can be done for you and those that need to get paid out have the ability to log in and cash out themselves. They make their money off of the subscription plan, so they do not take any money from your uploads or take any cuts of royalties.
LANDR
LANDR currently houses 1.3 million artists, and is considered one of the most simple of distribution services. If it’s simply just releasing music onto a platform, this could be the distributor solution for you!
Who can utilize this? Open to everyone
Breakdown of fees: Landr offers a free account allowing a distribution of 2 songs each month – For additional songs it is $9/single $29/EP or album and a 15% commission. Their upgraded plans charge yearly at the cost of $89 annually for unlimited releases, if you choose their $20 annual plan this comes with a 9% commission on + $5 for a single & $19 an EP/Album release.
How long will it take to upload my music? 1-2 days to upload to major streaming services.
Does this offer Revenue Reports? Yes, easily read.
More important information to know: Landr could be the right choice if your main goal is simply to release music for the sake of having music out there. Landr has one of the most complex plan builds when it comes to the music platforms, but seems the most simple to use. Especially with the musicians that just want to release for those that want their music on a distribution service and don’t have too complicated of a background. Additionally, their customer service is not the greatest. It’s almost impossible to speak to a real human if you run into any issues.
OneRPM
OneRPM mainly focused on Latin artists, shows growth in Latin American countries (Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico) they’ve kick started the Semi-Label model in these countries and have proven successful. The aggregator is growing in the US and can be a great place to start with distribution, there are a plethora of tools at your disposal within the program.
Who can utilize this? Open to everyone
Breakdown of fees: There are no distribution fees, but there is a 15% commission taken.
How long will it take to upload my music? Within 24 hours to the major streaming services.
Does this offer Revenue Reports? Yes, easily read.
More important information to know: Although OneRPM does not have distribution fees, they make their money off of the 15% commission taken from the distribution fees. This is a great place to start if you don’t have much knowledge of different marketing tools, but want to learn how to do it all yourself. The tools and services offered through OneRPM can be a great asset to kickstarting a project.
Revelator
Revelator also a distribution service that accepts through applications. This can pose to be very useful by copyrights holders and have dedicated their platform to simplify the complexities within the music distribution world; royalty splits & copyright owners as well.
Who can utilize this? Submission only.
Breakdown of fees: Fees are not shown on website, but they do offer discounts with longer-terms.
How long will it take to upload my music? Up to 7 days
Does this offer Revenue Reports? Yes, they are on an Excel sheet, but you can clearly see the numbers.
More important information to know: Revelator is a great option to utilize if viewing copyright stats and offering the constructive views of rights platforms.
SongTradr
SongTradr offers an outlet for artists to connect with other brands and creators that are searching for songs to add to commercials or TV shows, etc.
Who can utilize this? Open to everyone
Breakdown of fees: Annual fee that fluctuates with the amount of artists releasing music. One artist is $20/yearly, two artists $63.70/yearly, five artists $93.10. There are different pricing plans as well, ranging from Starter, Lite, and Pro.
How long will it take to upload my music? 2-7 days.
Does this offer Revenue Reports? Yes, easily read.
More important information to know: SongTradr is a great place to upload your music if your dream is to have your music in a reputable ad, or you’d like the option for your song to be featured on a show. The platform connects song makers directly with buyers. It helps advertise your music and offers buyers the ability to search for the type of song they’re looking for. This can be helpful if one of your goals is milking the sync licensing. Fan tipping is also a perk of SongTradr and allows fans to directly tip artists that they love. Sync Licensing is a strong play within SongTradr.
Symphonic
Symphonic is a distribution service that’s a great platform to use if you’re looking to grow. They provide a large database to assist with distribution. However, in order to utilize this distribution process you have to submit an application for approval.
Who can utilize this? Submission only.
Breakdown of fees: No annual fee.
How long will it take to upload my music? 3-5 business days. When initially submitting music make sure to give yourself at least 4 weeks before you’d like to release the songs.
Does this offer Revenue Reports? Yes, not the best, but they’re readable.
More important information to know: Releasing music through Symphonic can be lucrative because there is the option to pitch your music for playlists. They release to over 200 DSP’s and are able to get your music onto a Spotify playlist. There is additional Privacy Protection that you can pay for in order to have all pirated music removed for an additional charge.
Semi-Label Platforms
Semi-Label platforms are distribution platforms that you can utilize as a music aggregator platform but can turn into a record deal or distribution deal like the ones offered through the white label services.
AWAL (Artists Without A Label)
AWAL is currently a leader in the progressive structure of distribution to label service.
Who can utilize this? Submission only.
Breakdown of fees: No annual fees, but there is a 15% commission taken.
How long will it take to upload my music? About 4 weeks.
Does this offer Revenue Reports? Yes, they are readable.
More important information to know: AWAL has a track record of helping a percentage of their artists reach success with money from streaming, although this isn’t true for majority of their artists. The opportunity to grow if your music is doing well, is very enticing.
Asume
Amuse also one of the successful semi-label structured distribution services.
Who can utilize this? Open to everyone.
Breakdown of fees: Free, but if you’d like to sign up for Pro status there is the option to pay $60/yearly.
How long will it take to upload my music? About 2 weeks with the Pro status.
Does this offer Revenue Reports? Yes, but they’re not great.
More important information to know: Amuse has proven to be one of the strongest “Semi-Label” distributors. The more traction you gain the more likely you are to get a deal with Amuse. They have a list of ways to help grow your music. One of the biggest (almost) success stories is Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” that was released initially through Amuse. Amuse offered a deal to Lil Nas X, but he then ended up signing with Colombia Records in a competitive buy for the signing. With the ability to upload your music for free and have the exposure that Amuse offers, this could be a great outlet for those that are searching for stardom.
What is the Best Music Distribution Platform for Me?
Finding the right distribution service can be hard and daunting when deciding the best place to distribute your music. When releasing music, not all artists have the same intention or expectation. In the end, there are many things to consider and getting to know the track record of your chosen distributor is crucial to make sure you’re getting the most for your money.
The decision for how your art is sent to the public is important. Knowing your options and locating intent are key to being the most successful you can be. I hope this guide helps in your search for the best distribution service for you and your art.
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