Digital Distribution
If you’ve been following my “first single release” journey for my new band deadsoulrevival.com you know I’ve been examining how we recorded, mixed, and promoted our upcoming release. You can download Black Roses and Down for the Last Time at the link above.
I’ve used a few digital distributors in the past both through record labels and independently. A few of these are the Orchard, Tunecore, and Membran (Europe).
For this latest album we’re using Tunecore both for the digital distro and publishing admin. I’ve released a few different projects with them and have no complaints.
Their model is that you are paying them a flat fee per year for each release. Releases can be singles or albums. You keep all the profits.
Because we want to release one song at a time we went with the single option. FYI you can’t put together a whole album on their system and then just release the songs one at a time. Makes sense.
There’s a way to combine all those singles into an album at a later date. More about that in a future post.
Tunecore is covering virtually all of the digital outlets (stores) large and small including streaming platforms. They have a deal where you can pay a one time $10 fee and they will add you to any new outlets for life. They also have some add-ons for Youtube and Facebook. Total cost to release the first single was about $40.
Included in all this is adding your release to Spotify. You will want to ask your digital distributor for your URI link. This will allow you to claim your artist page before your release comes out.
You can pick and choose your outlets by the way. I always just select them all.
Something interesting I learned with posting our first single is that your artwork can as expected have your logo and single title on it. But your single can’t have your album title on the artwork. It can even be no words, I believe they just don’t want anyone to be be misled or confused.
Tunecore also provides options to deal with cover songs so you won’t run into any red tape releasing them.
I have found Tunecore support to be very responsive. I’ve never felt lost in the shuffle. It’s usually the same artist rep that responds to my questions. This is invaluable!
I’ve had a few issues with publishing that they have been able to work out for me as well.
Until next time…
— — — — — —
If you haven’t already, make sure you sign up for my email list. I offer exclusive content, discounts and other goodies for my subscribers. Go to rockmixingengineer.com to subscribe. You’ll also get a free guide on recording heavy guitars and a sneak peak at my new recording course The Sound Visualization Method.
Also, in case you didn’t know, I mix singles, EPs, and Albums for Rock and Metal bands. You can check out my work and get more info at mattclarkmixer.com/secdir/ as well as get prices, etc.
— — — — — —
Need more fans? Download your free funnel and start building your list today.