Tag: Beatport Distribution

  • How to Upload Your Songs to Amuse: A Step-by-Step Guide

    How to Upload Your Songs to Amuse: A Step-by-Step Guide

    Amuse is a free and artist-friendly music distribution platform that allows independent musicians to upload their songs to major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and more. Known for its simple interface and no-cost entry point, Amuse also offers premium plans for additional features. Here’s an authentic guide on how to distribute your music through Amuse.

    A music artist in a vibrant, modern studio, sitting at a desk and uploading their song to Amuse on a smartphone. The app interface is visible on the phone, displaying options for adding music, cover art, and release details. Instruments, studio monitors, and a glowing neon sign in the background add a creative ambiance.

    1. Set Up Your Amuse Account

    Download the Amuse App:

    1. Visit the Amuse website or download the Amuse app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
    2. Sign up using your email or social media account.

    Complete Your Profile:

    • Add your artist name and photo.
    • Include links to your social media and other platforms for branding consistency.

    Select a Plan:
    Amuse offers both free and premium plans:

    • Free Plan: Keep 100% of your royalties but expect longer payout periods.
    • Boost or Pro Plans: Start at $24.99/year, offering faster payments, royalty splits, and Beatport distribution.

    2. Prepare Your Song for Upload

    Before uploading, gather all the necessary materials:

    Audio File:

    • Must be in WAV format (16-bit, 44.1 kHz).
    • Ensure your song is mixed and mastered for optimal playback quality.

    Cover Art:

    • Size: At least 3000 x 3000 pixels.
    • File type: JPG or PNG.
    • Follow platform guidelines: no URLs, social media handles, or copyrighted material.

    Metadata Details:

    • Song title, artist name, and release date.
    • Contributors (producers, featured artists, etc.).
    • ISRC and UPC codes (Amuse generates these for free if needed).

    Decide on Release Type:

    • Choose between a single or an album.
    • Specify if the song contains explicit content or is a cover (requires a mechanical license).

    3. Upload Your Music

    Step 1: Log in to the Amuse App

    • Open the Amuse app and click the “Create Release” button.

    Step 2: Add Release Information

    • Enter details like the song title, artist name, and release date.
    • Choose a genre and sub-genre to categorize your music.

    Step 3: Upload Your Song and Cover Art

    • Add your WAV file and cover art image.
    • Double-check that your audio and artwork meet Amuse’s quality requirements.

    Step 4: Select Platforms

    • Amuse distributes to all major platforms for free, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and TikTok.
    • Premium plans also allow distribution to Beatport.

    Step 5: Set Royalty Splits (Optional)

    • If you’re on a Pro plan, use the Royalty Splits feature to share earnings with collaborators.

    Step 6: Submit Your Release

    • Once all details are complete, click Submit Release.
    • Amuse will review your submission and notify you via email if any adjustments are needed.

    4. Understand Amuse’s Distribution Timeline

    Amuse typically reviews and distributes music within 10-14 days for free users. Premium users can expect faster processing.
    Pro Tip: Submit your release at least 3 weeks in advance for editorial playlist pitches.


    5. Promote Your Music After Upload

    Spotify for Artists:

    • Claim your profile and pitch your song to Spotify editorial playlists using the Spotify for Artists tool.

    Social Media:

    • Share engaging content like song teasers, lyric videos, or behind-the-scenes clips on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
    • Use Amuse’s pre-save links to generate excitement before your release.

    Run Paid Ads:

    • Use platforms like Facebook Ads and Google Ads to promote your release to a targeted audience.
    • Focus on Instagram Reels or TikTok Ads for music content as they have high engagement rates.

    Amuse Analytics:

    • Use the analytics dashboard to track how your release is performing across platforms and adjust your promotional strategy.

    6. Benefits of Using Amuse

    • Free Distribution: Unlike other platforms, Amuse allows you to release music for free and keep all your royalties.
    • Royalty Splits: Share revenue with collaborators easily with the Pro plan.
    • Direct-to-Beatport: Perfect for electronic and dance music artists.
  • Top Music Distributors for Independent Artists: Pricing, Features & Editorial Pitches

    Top Music Distributors for Independent Artists: Pricing, Features & Editorial Pitches

    As an independent artist, finding the right music distributor is crucial to ensure your music reaches the widest possible audience while offering fair pricing and valuable features. With so many options available, it can be challenging to navigate through the different plans, pricing models, and additional services like editorial pitches and placements on platforms like Beatport. In this article, we’ll break down the top music distributors for independent artists, focusing on pricing structures, features, and how they compare to one another.

    1. DistroKid: Affordable and Fast

    Best for: Quick distribution with no upfront fees, yearly subscription model.

    • Pricing: DistroKid offers a $19.99/year flat fee for unlimited uploads, which is great for artists who release a lot of content. For additional services like additional artists or “Teams,” there are more pricing options available.
    • Per Song / Per Album: With the annual plan, all songs and albums are included for free.
    • Additional Features:
      • Beatport: DistroKid includes distribution to Beatport, one of the biggest platforms for electronic music.
      • Editorial Pitches: DistroKid offers a “HyperFollow” feature to help promote your music directly to followers, though editorial pitches to blogs or curated playlists may require additional outreach.

    Pros:

    • Affordable pricing with unlimited uploads.
    • Fast delivery to digital platforms.
    • Includes Beatport and other major platforms.

    Cons:

    • Additional fees for advanced features (e.g., YouTube Content ID, or additional artist management).

    2. CD Baby: Traditional Distributor with More Features

    Best for: Artists who need a wide range of services and want to distribute globally.

    • Pricing: CD Baby offers two pricing models:
      • Per Song: $9.95 for a single song.
      • Per Album: $29 for an album (up to 12 tracks), with additional fees for more tracks.
    • Additional Features:
      • Beatport: CD Baby offers distribution to Beatport, which is ideal for electronic and dance music artists.
      • Editorial Pitches: CD Baby provides a feature called “Sync Licensing,” which connects artists with opportunities for placements in TV, movies, and advertisements. While they don’t directly pitch to editorial playlists, they offer connections for broader opportunities.

    Pros:

    • Global distribution to over 150 platforms.
    • Offers music publishing and sync licensing opportunities.
    • One-time fee per song/album (no subscription model).

    Cons:

    • More expensive compared to subscription-based services like DistroKid.
    • No specific editorial playlist pitching (artists must handle that themselves).

    3. TuneCore: Great for Serious Artists and Labels

    Best for: Artists looking to distribute globally with detailed reporting.

    • Pricing:
      • Per Song: $9.99 per year for singles.
      • Per Album: $29.99 for the first year of album distribution.
      • TuneCore requires yearly renewal, so it’s important to account for ongoing costs.
    • Additional Features:
      • Beatport: TuneCore includes Beatport, ensuring your music gets to the right audience, especially for electronic and dance music producers.
      • Editorial Pitches: TuneCore offers a “Music Publishing Administration” service that helps get your music into editorial playlists and sync placements, giving you a better chance of being featured.

    Pros:

    • Global distribution with multiple platforms included.
    • Advanced sales and streaming reporting tools.
    • Sync licensing and editorial pitching services for additional exposure.

    Cons:

    • Higher upfront cost compared to subscription-based services.
    • Yearly renewal fees can add up over time.

    4. Amuse: Free Distribution with Premium Features

    Best for: Independent artists who need a free option with room to grow.

    • Pricing: Amuse offers both a free plan and a $24.99/month premium plan called “Amuse Pro” that includes additional features like faster releases, premium support, and advanced analytics.
    • Per Song / Per Album:
      • Free Plan: Includes unlimited song and album uploads with no upfront fees.
      • Pro Plan: Offers additional features and benefits at a low monthly subscription.
    • Additional Features:
      • Beatport: Amuse distributes to Beatport, making it an attractive choice for electronic music artists.
      • Editorial Pitches: Amuse does not offer editorial pitches directly, but they focus on data-driven distribution, giving you better control over where your music goes.

    Pros:

    • Free plan available, ideal for new or independent artists.
    • Fast distribution with global reach.
    • Affordable Pro plan with enhanced features.

    Cons:

    • The free plan lacks advanced tools like editorial pitching.
    • Limited customer support on the free tier.

    5. AWAL: The Elite Distributor with Advanced Opportunities

    Best for: Serious independent artists or those signed to a label who want exclusive services.

    • Pricing: AWAL doesn’t offer a traditional pricing structure, as it’s an invite-only platform. They work with select artists and take a commission on the revenue generated (typically 15-20%).
    • Additional Features:
      • Beatport: AWAL is known for its strong relationships with electronic music platforms like Beatport, making it ideal for DJ/producers.
      • Editorial Pitches: AWAL offers top-tier editorial pitching opportunities, including pitching to curated playlists on Spotify and Apple Music, as well as opportunities for radio and sync placements.

    Pros:

    • Excellent editorial pitch opportunities and playlist placements.
    • Distribution to all major platforms, including Beatport.
    • Advanced tools and analytics for artists.

    Cons:

    • Invite-only system makes it harder for new artists to join.
    • High commission on revenue.