Amuse Music Distribution Review: Is It Worth It?
We are fortunate to live in a time where musicians have multiple options for music distribution. Not long ago, the costs were high, and the choices were limited. With the advent of the internet, artists now have a range of services to help distribute their music globally. One such service is Amuse Music, and in this article, we’ll review what they offer and compare their pricing and services to other platforms.
The Importance of Music Distribution
For independent artists, lack of distribution can stall a music career simply because of the high costs associated with getting music out there. Fortunately, services like Amuse Music are making it easier for emerging artists to launch their careers and share their music with the world.
What Is Amuse Music?
Amuse Music is a Swedish music distribution company founded in 2015. The platform allows artists to distribute their music for free. Their aim is to discover new, up-and-coming artists and offer them licensing deals, enabling them to get their music on platforms like Apple Music and Spotify.
Amuse Music's philosophy is simple: “Getting your music out there should be free, and getting it played should be easy.” With Amuse, you gain access to major streaming services, and if you upgrade to Amuse Pro, you can extend your reach to platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
What Services Does Amuse Music Offer?
1. Music Distribution
Amuse Music’s primary service is music distribution. This allows artists to upload their music to major streaming platforms and music stores. Free distribution can lead to new followers, fans, and potentially even a recording contract. Uploading your music is straightforward and only takes a few minutes. Additionally, you can upload an image (between 3000x3000 and 6000x6000 pixels in png or jpeg) to accompany your release, which can help establish your visual brand.
2. Rights Retention
One major perk of using Amuse Music is that you retain all rights to your music. If Amuse likes your work, they may offer you a licensing deal. However, you are not obligated to accept this and can continue using their free distribution service.
3. Track Your Success with Fast Forward
Amuse Music offers a feature called Fast Forward, which analyzes your streaming data and projects your future royalties. This tool can help you plan for future releases or promotion. You also have the option to borrow against your projected royalties to invest in your career or new music.
4. Family Sharing
The Family Sharing option allows up to six people to access your account, making it easy to share your music with others.
How Much Does Amuse Music Cost?
The standout feature of Amuse Music is that it is completely free to use. They cover distribution costs and take a 50/50 split on any profits if you accept their record deal. You keep 100% of your royalties from the tracks you upload for distribution.
For those interested in additional services, Amuse Pro costs $5 per month. This upgrade provides features such as YouTube Content ID, royalty splits, and multiple artist profiles. However, using Amuse Pro is entirely optional.
Industry Opinions on Amuse Music
Amuse Music has received mixed reviews. On the positive side, the platform is praised for being free and offering the potential for artists to land licensing deals. However, some reviewers feel that Amuse’s distribution reach is somewhat limited compared to other platforms.
Comparing Amuse Music to Other Services
DistroKid
DistroKid is a highly popular music distribution platform that distributes to over 150 stores, including Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, and Amazon Music. While DistroKid’s annual fee is $19.99, it offers wider distribution than Amuse Music. However, Amuse still holds its own for being a free service with zero upfront costs.
CD Baby
CD Baby offers both digital and physical distribution (for CDs and vinyl), making it a great option for artists who want to sell physical music. However, CD Baby charges per release, while Amuse offers free distribution.
TuneCore
TuneCore offers a pay-per-release model similar to CD Baby, but with a more streamlined interface. Like Amuse, TuneCore helps artists reach major streaming platforms, but it charges for every release, while Amuse remains free.
Is Amuse Music Worth It?
Overall, Amuse Music offers a fantastic option for independent artists, especially because of its free distribution model. You don’t need to pay upfront fees to upload your music, making it an accessible service for musicians on a budget. Additionally, Amuse gives you access to major streaming platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, and Tidal.
However, it’s important to consider the limitations. Amuse is app-based, which means it isn’t as accessible to those who prefer working on desktops. Additionally, it doesn’t offer mechanical licenses, so artists distributing cover songs won’t be able to monetize them.
Final Thoughts on Amuse Music
Amuse Music is a great choice for artists who are just starting out or don’t want to spend money upfront on distribution. The free services and rights retention make it an attractive platform, and the potential for signing licensing deals adds even more value. While it may not be the most extensive distribution service, it’s a solid option for those looking to build their careers without breaking the bank.
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