What does a music distributor do?
A music distributor is the link between you and the streaming platforms: it delivers your releases to the DSPs technically, collects the earnings from around the world and accounts them to you. What used to be physical logistics — getting CDs into shops — is digital music distribution today: data feeds, rights management and royalty accounting.
The core jobs of a digital music distributor
First, delivery: audio, artwork and metadata go to Spotify, Apple Music & co. via DDEX, including automatic ISRC and UPC assignment. Second, money: the distributor collects streaming earnings from every platform and territory and pays them out to you — ideally with transparent reports and automatic royalty splits for collaborations. Third, protection and extras: YouTube Content ID, pre-save campaigns, playlist pitching, takedowns when you leave.
The three pricing models compared
Yearly subscription (you pay even when nothing happens), one-time fee per release (cheap until your first success, then often stacked with upsells) and revenue share (the distributor only earns when you do). OGRECORDS™ works on a 10% revenue share with no base fee: no subscription, no per-upload cost, up to 100% payout in your first three months. The honest math across the models is on subscription vs. revenue share and /pricing.
What to look for when choosing
Non-exclusive agreements (you can leave any time and take your ISRCs with you), free takedowns, a real direct DDEX connection instead of middlemen, transparent royalty reports down to stream level, splits without surcharge — and a team that answers. Distrust lifetime deals and “100% for €0” promises: every distributor earns somewhere; the only question is whether transparently or hidden. How it works with us is detailed on /distribution.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a distributor to get on Spotify?
Yes. Spotify, Apple Music and all major DSPs do not accept uploads from individuals — the path always goes through a distributor with a DDEX connection. The alternative would be a record deal where the label handles distribution.
What does music distribution cost?
Depending on the model: yearly subscriptions from roughly €20–80/year, flat fees per release, or revenue share (typically 10–20% of earnings). OGRECORDS™ takes a 10% revenue share with no base fee — you only pay when you earn.
What is the difference between a distributor and a label?
The distributor is a service provider: it delivers and accounts, the rights stay with you. A label invests (production, marketing, advance) and takes rights and a much larger share in return. Modern platforms like OGRECORDS™ combine distribution with label tools — marketing, advance, sync — without you giving up rights.
Can I switch distributors?
Yes — what matters are your ISRCs and UPCs: take them to the new distributor and streams, playlists and algorithmic history survive. At OGRECORDS™ the agreement is non-exclusive and takedowns are free.
Enough theory — get going.
You now know what happens between upload and stream. The release wizard handles the rest.
Release now →