What Music Distributor Pays the Most? Exclusive Insights!

Kristian Gorenc Z

Nov 2, 2023

In today's digital age, the music industry has been revolutionized by streaming platforms and digital music distribution. With such platforms, getting your music to a global audience has never been easier. But with so many distribution services available, you might be asking yourself: which music distributor pays the most? Let's delve into this matter.

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Understanding Music Distribution

For those unfamiliar, to get your music on platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, TikTok, Instagram Stories, Deezer, Tidal, and many others, you need a music distributor. These companies handle the distribution process for you, ensuring your songs reach a wide audience across various platforms.

The Big Players in Independent Music Distribution

The music distribution landscape is populated by numerous companies, including:

• Viberate
• DistroKid
• TuneCore
• CDBaby
• AWAL
• Amuse
• Ditto Music
• FreshTunes
• Horus Music
• LANDR
• ONErpm
• RouteNote
• Songtradr
• Soundrop
• Spinnup Music
• Stem
• Symphonic Distribution
• UnitedMasters

It's important to note that the aforementioned companies are primarily tailored for independent musicians. There are also distribution entities like INgrooves, The Orchard, and Believe that mostly cater to labels. The Orchard is owned by Sony, INgrooves by Universal, and Believe, a French entity, owns TuneCore. These distributors might work directly with artists, but they usually take a commission of around 20% for their services.

What Should Independent Artists Look For?

The ultimate goal for any artist using these services would be to have one distributor that collects 100% of all sound recording and composition royalties globally. This means no hassle of registering or collecting funds from different sources. While some distributors are closer to making this a reality, no one has fully achieved it yet.

And here's the golden rule: While you can use multiple distributors for different releases, you can only use one distributor per release.

Rights and Ownership

An essential point to remember is that these independent music distribution entities don’t own any rights to your music or copyrights. They are not record labels and don't offer label deals. They simply provide services, ensuring you retain 100% of your rights regardless of your chosen distributor. Even if a commission is taken, it's solely from your revenue.

Viberate: An Excellent Choice for Independent Artists

For independent artists seeking comprehensive music distribution services, Viberate offers a holistic solution. Here's how it works:

• Digital Music Distribution for Independent Artists: Viberate enables artists to release their music, monetize it, and retain 100% of their rights. This includes distribution to all major digital platforms, access to promotional tools for a streaming boost, and complete music analytics.
• Release Process:
• You Upload Your Tracks: To sell music online, artists first upload their .WAV audio files, add titles, artwork, and choose the platforms for release. They can also add collaborators and set royalty splits.
• Viberate Sends Tracks to Streaming Services: Artists can relax as Viberate manages the distribution, informing them once the tracks are live.
• Promotional Tools: Artists receive free promotional tools like pre-save and share links. Additionally, the music distribution dashboard provides a detailed fanbase breakdown and an advanced Spotify playlist pitching tool, ensuring a boost in streams.
• Direct Payment: Artists can access real-time statistics and withdraw all earnings once they are processed by the streaming platforms. Collaborators can easily sign up and withdraw their shares too.
• Sell Music on All DSPs: With Viberate, distributing music as an independent artist is seamless. They deliver music to platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, Tencent, YouTube, Tidal, TikTok, and more, ensuring artists retain 100% of their rights.
• Promotion: The platform offers pre-save and share links, allowing artists to promote their new music releases efficiently.

In conclusion

when evaluating which music distributor pays the most, it's essential to consider the full spectrum of services, rights retention, and promotional tools provided. Viberate stands out as a prime choice for independent artists in this regard. Navigate to their FAQ section to explore a complete list of DSPs and start your music distribution journey now.