Got a track ready to share with the world? In this article, we will show you how to distribute your music to streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music through SoundCloud for Artists. SoundCloud for Artists is a comprehensive platform designed to help artists with distribution, promotion, and monetization. Unlike the name suggests it helps you distribute and monetize beyond SoundCloud alone so let’s dive in!

Terminology

In the world of digital music distribution there is quite some terminology going around. Before we dive into the distribution process, we would like to address the most common jargon to get everyone on the same page.

Music Distribution - The act of distributing music in the digital age means sending your music and all associated data to all the desired DSPs and collecting royalties on the use of the music on DSPs.

DSP - A DSP or Digital Service Provider is an online platform where users can interact with officially released audio/video content. Examples of DSPs are Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, SoundCloud Go, etc.

Royalties - A fee for the use of copyrighted material like officially released music on a DSP.

ISRC - An ISRC is a unique identifier code for sound recordings. The most important reason to stay organised with your ISRC codes is when you are re-releasing music (like putting a single on an album) as Spotify and SoundCloud stream counts are connected to the ISRC. If you would use different ISRCs for the same track, your streaming numbers would get segregated, which would be a shame for your clout.

Content ID - Content ID is something platforms like YouTube and SoundCloud use to identify if copyrighted content has been used in User Generated content. In other words, it is an AI algorithm that scans uploaded content on these platforms for the use of your music. When they find a match you can claim royalties on the use of your music in this content. This can be beneficial for you as an extra revenue stream but it can also hinder your promotion strategy as many tastemakers on YouTube would like to promote your music on their channel in return for the royalty revenue on that video.

Covers - A cover is a re-recording of an existing song. To release a cover worldwide on any DSP, you will need a licence. You can get such a licence at places like easysong.com.

Remixes - A remix uses parts of an original song to create a variation on the original. In dance music this is usually the original acapella with a different beat underneath. In Hip Hop it’s generally the other way around, where a different verse gets added to the original beat or a variation on the original beat. Generally, you can’t release a remix officially on DSPs unless you are the owner of the original song.

Distribution

Alright, let’s dive into the real deal now! First things first, make sure you have a SoundCloud Next Pro subscription, which you can get here. Then navigate to SoundCloud for Artists via this link to follow along:

1. Open your dashboard and click on the ‘Distribute a track’ button at the top right. 

2. Upload Your Tracks:

• Upload the file of the track you want to distribute or choose one from your SoundCloud account. For albums, upload multiple files or select multiple tracks from SoundCloud.
• Once a track is selected, click 'Edit' and fill in all relevant information for each track like the song title, the version and contributors. Contributors include featured artists, producers, songwriters, mixing and mastering engineers etc. Make sure everyone involved in the song is properly credited by using the contributor type field.
• Select the Content Rating (are you swearing in the lyrics or not) and language of the lyrics.
• Clarify if you wrote the song yourself or if you are performing someone else’s song. In case of a cover or a remix, make sure you check the correct checkbox.
• You can select a preview point of the song for previews on embedded players of paid services as well as the starting point of your audio on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, etc.
• If you have an ISRC for your track, enter it in the track details. If you do not have an ISRC, leave the box blank and SoundCloud will generate an ISRC for your track. For tracks requiring licensing agreements (e.g., covers, remixes or sample uses), upload the necessary documentation.
• At the bottom of the form, indicate if you want your tracks enabled for YouTube Content ID.

3. Fill in Release Details:

• Upload your artwork and make sure your file is 3000px by 3000px and a JPG or PNG (without transparent background).
• Enter the name of your release in the Album Title field (name it after your song when releasing a single).
• Select a genre and potential sub-genres.
• Enter your Record Label name. If you don’t have a record label just write your artist name (NEVER use someone else's brand name). Also, do not invent a fake record label name if you want to get signed. When you use your artist name in this field, labels that are checking you out will see that you are independent and therefore available to get signed to their label.
• Select the Main Artist (this is usually your SoundCloud username).
• Select a release date. Preferably, you set your release date 6 weeks in advance. For more information about that, check out this article.

4. Select Partners:

• Choose the release partners (DSPs) where you want your music distributed. It’s generally best to just select all.

5. Profile Mapping:

• Map your release to existing profiles on Spotify and Apple Music. If needed, you can create new profiles in this section too. To customise those profiles you will need to claim them on Spotify for Artists and Apple Music for Artists after your first release.

6. Enable Split Pay:

• If you collaborated with other musicians on the track, enable Split Pay to allocate a percentage of your earnings to them. Enter their SoundCloud Profile URL and set the percentage accordingly.

7. Review & Submit:

• Once all information is filled out, review your details and click Submit. The SoundCloud team will review and either approve the release or request additional information.

Following these steps will help ensure your music reaches your audience through various streaming and social media platforms. By understanding the key terminologies and following the steps outlined, you can ensure your music is properly distributed across major DSPs. Now you no longer need to let the complexities of distribution hold you back. Let’s share your music with the world. Good luck!