music distribution
Getting tunes out
Music distribution is the process of getting recorded music from artists or labels to listeners—through physical retail, digital platforms, or streaming services.
Traditionally this meant shipping CDs and vinyl to stores; now it largely means placing tracks on Spotify, Apple Music, and similar platforms.
Independent artists often use distribution services to reach these platforms without a major label: We signed with a distributor to get our album on streaming.
- CDsOptical storage media
- royaltiesOngoing payments to creators
- cassette tapesAnalog audio storage medium
- vinyl recordsAnalog audio discs
- digital downloadsElectronically delivered files
box sets · streaming platforms · copyright law · record stores · intellectual property · subscription models · live performances · mobile apps · aggregators · radio airplay · inventory management · major labels · indie artists · cloud storage · album drops · release date · streaming royalties · contract negotiation
music distributionmusic performance
Live rendition of songs
live performance · music production · songwriting · recording · composing
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