Music Distribution - How to Release Your Track?
You’ve recorded a track, you have a finished master - what’s next? Time for distribution, which means delivering your music to streaming platforms. This guide explains how it works and what options you have.
What Is Music Distribution?
Section titled “What Is Music Distribution?”Distribution is the process of delivering your music to streaming platforms:
- Spotify
- Apple Music
- Tidal
- Deezer
- YouTube Music
- Amazon Music
- And many others
You can’t upload music directly - you need a distributor (aggregator) who acts as an intermediary between you and the platforms.
How Does Distribution Work?
Section titled “How Does Distribution Work?”Step by Step:
Section titled “Step by Step:”-
Prepare files
- Master in WAV format (44.1 kHz, 16-bit or higher)
- Cover art (3000x3000 px, JPEG or PNG)
- Metadata (title, artist, genre)
-
Choose a distributor
- Register on your chosen platform
- Upload files and complete information
-
Set release date
- Minimum 2-4 weeks before planned date
- Longer = better chance for playlisting
-
Distributor sends to platforms
- Each platform verifies the material
- Track appears on release day
-
Earn from streams
- Platforms pay for each play
- Distributor passes funds to you (minus commission)
Popular Distribution Services
Section titled “Popular Distribution Services”For Beginners:
Section titled “For Beginners:”| Service | Model | Commission | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DistroKid | Annual fee (~$20-35/year) | 0% | Unlimited releases |
| TuneCore | Per-release fee | 0% | Detailed statistics |
| CD Baby | One-time fee | 9% | Good for singles |
| Amuse | Free tier | 0-15% | Free basic option |
For Advanced Users:
Section titled “For Advanced Users:”| Service | Model | Commission | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWAL | Selective | 15% | Portfolio required |
| The Orchard | Label services | Negotiated | For professionals |
| Believe | Label services | Negotiated | Large network |
What Do You Need to Prepare?
Section titled “What Do You Need to Prepare?”1. Audio Master
Section titled “1. Audio Master”| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Format | WAV (preferred) or FLAC |
| Sample rate | 44.1 kHz or higher |
| Bit depth | 16-bit or 24-bit |
| Loudness | -14 LUFS (recommended for streaming) |
| True Peak | Max -1 dB |
2. Cover Art
Section titled “2. Cover Art”| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Size | 3000 x 3000 px (minimum) |
| Format | JPEG or PNG |
| Color | RGB |
| Quality | No compression artifacts |
What to avoid:
- Streaming platform logos
- Price information
- Text like “exclusive” or “limited”
- Blurry photos
3. Metadata
Section titled “3. Metadata”- Track title - exactly as it should display
- Artist name - consistent spelling across all releases
- Genre - main and optionally sub-genre
- Language - lyrics language (or “Instrumental”)
- Explicit - contains inappropriate content
- ISRC - identification code (distributor can assign)
How Long Does Distribution Take?
Section titled “How Long Does Distribution Take?”| Platform | Typical Time |
|---|---|
| Spotify | 2-5 business days |
| Apple Music | 1-3 business days |
| Tidal | 2-5 business days |
| YouTube Music | 1-3 business days |
| Deezer | 2-5 business days |
How Much Will You Earn from Streams?
Section titled “How Much Will You Earn from Streams?”Rates per stream vary between platforms:
| Platform | Average Rate per Stream |
|---|---|
| Tidal | ~$0.012 |
| Apple Music | ~$0.008 |
| Spotify | ~$0.003-0.005 |
| YouTube Music | ~$0.002 |
Example: 10,000 streams on Spotify = approximately $30-50
Copyright - What You Need to Know
Section titled “Copyright - What You Need to Know”ISRC and UPC
Section titled “ISRC and UPC”- ISRC - code identifying the recording (assigned by distributor)
- UPC/EAN - code identifying the release (album/EP)
Performing Rights Organizations
Section titled “Performing Rights Organizations”If you’re the author of lyrics or music, consider registering with a performing rights organization (like ASCAP, BMI, PRS):
- Collects royalties for public performances
- Protects your copyright
- Requires membership
Beat Rights
Section titled “Beat Rights”Before releasing - make sure you have the rights:
- License from the producer (lease or exclusive)
- Your own production
- Revenue split (split sheet) with the producer
Flightcore and Distribution
Section titled “Flightcore and Distribution”What We Offer:
Section titled “What We Offer:”| Service | What It Includes |
|---|---|
| Mastering for streaming | Loudness and quality optimization |
| File preparation | Proper formats and parameters |
| Consultation | Help choosing a distributor |
What We Don’t Do:
Section titled “What We Don’t Do:”We don’t handle direct distribution - that’s your decision as an artist, which distributor best fits your career model.
Checklist Before Release
Section titled “Checklist Before Release”- Audio master in proper format
- Cover art 3000x3000 px
- All metadata prepared
- Beat/production rights confirmed
- Distributor account created
- Release date set (min. 2-4 weeks ahead)
- Promotion plan prepared
Summary
Section titled “Summary”Music distribution is:
- Choose a distributor - DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby
- Prepare files - WAV master, 3000x3000 cover
- Plan the release - minimum 2-4 weeks ahead
- Promotion - that’s your job as an artist