I started researching two companies for digital distributon of my album and singles. First I looked at CdBaby. I could not get answers to simple questions on their web site: details on cover art, specs for song submission. Nothing on cover art, except go to someone else. Then I learned they subcontract important services, bringing up more questions: How is the musician protected from subcontractors who siffon off revenues? Who audits these people? Are they even audited?
Then I went to Tunecore and learned more bad info on them, like changing contract terms, exclusivity issues, collecting youtube royalty revenues. There are a lot of dissatisfied Tunecore users, I discovered. Now what? Who do I check out next? Is there any one reliable, trustworthy, digital distributor out there? I decided to go slow, and not rush into the market. Are there any recommendations out there? Satisfied users? Let me know. I will research them carefully. Ted in Mexico
Tunecore, CDBaby, Choosing a Distributor is a mine field. Advice?
-
- Banned
- 43 posts since 29 Apr, 2014
-
- KVRAF
- 4801 posts since 1 Aug, 2005 from Warszawa, Poland
-
SuitcaseOfLizards SuitcaseOfLizards https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=2363 - KVRAF
- 10879 posts since 3 Apr, 2002 from Austin, TX USA
Quoted for agreement. Since you're going to have to do all the heavy lifting (marketing, art, etc.) yourself, you might as well go with someone that focuses on getting your music to your customers.Zombie Queen wrote:Bandcamp.
CD Baby has always seemed a bit Net-clueless to me, and Tunecore.. omg.. don't get me started!
Everyone I know uses Bandcamp to distribute their albums, I have a Bandcamp presence myself, and I buy almost all my new music via Bandcamp - as a user and customer, it's a pretty decent experience.
Your mileage may vary, but it's worth looking into.
Bandcamp: https://suitcaseoflizards.bandcamp.com/
Linux Mint, Waveform 13 Pro, U-He synths, Audio Damage effects,.
Linux Mint, Waveform 13 Pro, U-He synths, Audio Damage effects,.
-
- Banned
- Topic Starter
- 43 posts since 29 Apr, 2014
I will check out bandcamp again. Now I am looking at Distrokid and Amadea. Amadea has a nice web site, but they say it takes 4 weeks to distribute a song. Very slow. And once you sign, no cancellations are allowed for one year. That's not good. If you are dissatisfied, or if they screw up, you have to wait one year. Off my list. Distrokid looks good, but I have not checked into the details yet. It's the small details that can hurt a career. I want to make sure that no one interferes with my copyright ownership. Another preference of mine is that I choose the sample of the song that is published. I don't just want the standard, start from the top, because I write songs that build towards the end. The best parts of the song are always in the last third or half.
-
- Banned
- Topic Starter
- 43 posts since 29 Apr, 2014
Bandcamp is NOT a distributor. Gone from my list. I am down to Distrokid and CDBaby.
-
- KVRian
- 1479 posts since 2 Mar, 2005
Cdbaby
Cover art: 1400x1400 pixel size, rgb color (not CMYK)
Subcontracting to other services: I have a couple of CDs on CDBaby. You get paid according to the dollar amount you set according to your sales. All Digital Distribution numbers are displayed on your Account Dashboard. I'll get info on all sites in which someone has listened to or clicked on my music. As far as accuracy, I haven't determined that because my project was small and I barely advertised. However, I have had hits on most of the sites I submitted to.
Cover art: 1400x1400 pixel size, rgb color (not CMYK)
Subcontracting to other services: I have a couple of CDs on CDBaby. You get paid according to the dollar amount you set according to your sales. All Digital Distribution numbers are displayed on your Account Dashboard. I'll get info on all sites in which someone has listened to or clicked on my music. As far as accuracy, I haven't determined that because my project was small and I barely advertised. However, I have had hits on most of the sites I submitted to.
I read more than post = I listen more than I talk
-
- Banned
- Topic Starter
- 43 posts since 29 Apr, 2014
Because I found several credible articles from musicians dissatisified with CDBaby, I decided to take a pass on them. After two days of research, I am down to Catapult, Routenote, and Distrokid. I noticed that Routenote only accepts MP3's. I thought that was odd because all others want 16 bit 44Khz files. Distrokid looks nice, except that there is yearly fee. They say they will remove you music from all sites if you don't make the payment. I like the principle of one-and-done. You pay once, and can focus on promotion over several years, or even let the music ride for several years. "Set it and forget it." I am just getting into Catapult. There FAQs look OK. However, I still have questions regarding choosing the exact sample demo of the songs, per above.
-
- Banned
- Topic Starter
- 43 posts since 29 Apr, 2014
Saukar:
I listened to your music on Reverbnation. Cool stuff. Hip. Just one suggestion. If you don't mind. How 'bout adding an occasional dubstep base in the background? Making it just a sliver grungier, or edgy? It would contrast nicely with your background highlights and melodies. Check out Omnisphere 2 when it comes out in April. I am going to purchase it. Can't pass it up.
I listened to your music on Reverbnation. Cool stuff. Hip. Just one suggestion. If you don't mind. How 'bout adding an occasional dubstep base in the background? Making it just a sliver grungier, or edgy? It would contrast nicely with your background highlights and melodies. Check out Omnisphere 2 when it comes out in April. I am going to purchase it. Can't pass it up.
-
- Banned
- Topic Starter
- 43 posts since 29 Apr, 2014
After checking out nymerous digital distributors, my final two are CDBaby and Catapult. If I did not need to select the song demos myself, and did not care if it was left to others (the digital stores), I'd choose Catapult, definitely. If a song is complex, combining talking, rapping, and singing, and builds towards the end, selection of the exact portion of the song as a demo can be a make or break decision for a customer. Let's face it. People are very critical when they are buying. Hit them with your best. Nothing less. Here's an example: "Hey Jude." A good demo probably would be one or two verses before the last chorus: Na. Na Na Na NaNaNa!
-
- Banned
- Topic Starter
- 43 posts since 29 Apr, 2014
To those following this post: I am nearing the decision to choose Catapult. I read some bad stuff about CdBaby yesterday. What turned me off is that if you are somewhat uninformed and choose the wrong services, you can get yourself in a position where they interfere with you own music videos on the youtube and others by placing ads on anyone's video who uses your music in a video, including yours, in the effort to make more money from your music. In other words, you lose total control of your video. Nothing bothers me more than long ads or any ads on a video. I check them off within the 4 sec. and never watch them. They are a pain in the butt, nothing less. On the other hand, Catapult will allow you to specify the start time on your Itune Songs. That I like very much. CDBaby said that this option is only available on CDBaby.com store. I am waiting for a clarification on this point, but no answer from them yet. Too long for an answer from them. Not good, either.
-
- KVRian
- 853 posts since 3 Nov, 2006 from Poland
Thanks for the thread tedinmexico! I know that it looks like you're talking with yourself, but I'm reading everything you find with interest.
-
- KVRAF
- 1724 posts since 31 Dec, 2004 from betwixt
Yes, thanks for posting this. It is informative.
Any other "product" you come up with, sell it to a distributor for a profit, and they must promote it. They have to sell it.
But our music? We have to pay for gear to produce it, pay to "give it away" to someone who can make money on it also. We have to pay to advertise it. And if we dare to claim we deserve some of the residual profit that may continue to be made, we're somehow greedy? When the f**k do we get paid?
I guess nobody pays a tree for its fruit, a cow for its meat... No.
What you don't value you will eventually lose.
And 999 programmed monkeys to attack so they don't get sprayed by the water hose that isn't there. Xoxos is right.
Any other "product" you come up with, sell it to a distributor for a profit, and they must promote it. They have to sell it.
But our music? We have to pay for gear to produce it, pay to "give it away" to someone who can make money on it also. We have to pay to advertise it. And if we dare to claim we deserve some of the residual profit that may continue to be made, we're somehow greedy? When the f**k do we get paid?
I guess nobody pays a tree for its fruit, a cow for its meat... No.
What you don't value you will eventually lose.
And 999 programmed monkeys to attack so they don't get sprayed by the water hose that isn't there. Xoxos is right.
-
- Banned
- Topic Starter
- 43 posts since 29 Apr, 2014
Just got the confirmation from CDBaby. The answer is "No." They do not give you the option of choosing the starting time point of your song demos for ITunes, or any other site; only for CDBaby.com. So, I am zeroing in on Catapult, and have asked them another question: I need the option to take a pass on free and subscription stores. They make little or no money for most composers. I need to make money from the songs. I don't have a band, or go on tour. I write songs, and also a musical.