DistroKid vs UnitedMasters – Who Wins?

In the ever-evolving world of music distribution, independent artists have more tools than ever before to get their music out to the masses. Two prominent names leading the charge are DistroKid and UnitedMasters. Both platforms offer a variety of services to help artists distribute their music, promote it, and connect with fans. In this article, we will delve deep into the key differences between DistroKid and UnitedMasters, focusing particularly on how to add producer credits and highlighting the strengths of each platform.

Adding Producer Credits on DistroKid

Properly crediting producers is an essential task for any artist releasing music. Producers play a crucial role in creating and shaping the final product that gets released to the public. DistroKid has streamlined the process of adding producer credits, ensuring that contributors get the recognition they deserve.

When you upload a track on DistroKid, you'll have the option to include detailed metadata about the song. This includes fields for songwriters, lyricists, and crucially, producers. Here's how you can add producer credits on DistroKid:

• Log in to your DistroKid account and start a new upload.
• Fill out the basic information about your track, including song title and artist name.
• In the song credits section, there's a specific field where you can enter the name of the producer.
• Complete the upload process and submit your track for distribution.

By providing these details during the upload process, DistroKid ensures that producer credits are properly integrated into the metadata for each streaming platform. This means that when your fans listen to your tracks on Spotify, Apple Music, or any other major DSP, the producer's name gets the acknowledgment it deserves.

Comparing UnitedMasters and DistroKid

Now, let's look into how UnitedMasters compares to DistroKid. Both platforms cater to the needs of independent artists but offer slightly different features and services. Understanding these differences can help you decide which one suits your career best.

Distribution and Reach

Both DistroKid and UnitedMasters offer global music distribution services, allowing artists to get their music on major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and more. However, the way they approach distribution differs slightly:

• DistroKid: Known for its user-friendly interface and speed, DistroKid allows artists to upload an unlimited number of tracks for a flat annual fee. It's ideal for artists who release music frequently and want to maintain control over their work.
• UnitedMasters: This platform offers a free tier, where artists can upload and distribute their music at no cost, but with a revenue share. UnitedMasters also has a premium tier, providing enhanced tools and promotional opportunities.

Promotion and Opportunities

Promotion is another critical aspect where UnitedMasters and DistroKid take different approaches:

• DistroKid: Focuses primarily on distribution and streamlines the process, but also offers additional services like automatic split payments to collaborators and the ability to schedule releases.
• UnitedMasters: Places a strong emphasis on connecting artists with brand partnerships and sync licensing opportunities. Their platform is geared towards leveraging artist's music for broader commercial uses.

Royalty and Revenue

Revenue generation is a crucial factor for any artist. Here's how both platforms handle royalties:

• DistroKid: Offers 100% royalties to artists after the annual subscription fee is paid. This model is advantageous for those who have high volumes of streams and want to keep all their earnings.
• UnitedMasters: On their free tier, UnitedMasters takes a percentage of the revenue. Their premium tier offers more tools but still involves a revenue share.

Additional Features

Both platforms offer several unique features to help artists manage and promote their music:

• DistroKid: Provides useful tools like HyperFollow for pre-saving releases, detailed analytics, and robust customer support.
• UnitedMasters: Equipped with data insights to help artists understand their audience better, live stream monetization tools, and access to exclusive marketing opportunities.

Conclusion: Which Platform Is Right for You?

Choosing between DistroKid and UnitedMasters ultimately depends on your specific needs and goals as an artist. If you favor straightforward, efficient distribution with no revenue share, DistroKid may be the better option. It’s an excellent choice for high-volume releases and artists who want to keep 100% of their royalties.

Conversely, if you're looking for a platform that offers free distribution with potential for brand partnerships and sync licensing, UnitedMasters could be the way to go. Their emphasis on promotional opportunities and data insights can be very beneficial for artists aiming to expand their reach and commercial use of their music.

No matter the platform you choose, properly crediting your producers and collaborators is a must. With DistroKid’s seamless integration of producer credits and UnitedMasters’ comprehensive artist services, both platforms are aligned to support the evolving needs of today’s independent musicians.

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