Major labels, indie labels, 360 deals, distribution-only, artist-run: a plain-English breakdown of every record label type, what each one takes from you, and how to decide which structure fits your career.
A 360 deal gives a label a percentage of nearly every dollar you earn, not just record sales. This guide explains what 360 deals cover, why labels push for them, and how to decide whether to sign one.
A clear breakdown of every type of record deal in 2026, including royalty splits, advance ranges, master ownership terms, and how to spot red flags before you sign.
Everything you need to know about record labels in 2026. Understand deal types, distribution agreements, contract red flags, and when it makes sense to stay independent. Includes real examples and negotiation tips.
UnitedMasters is a US-based digital music distributor founded in 2018 by Steve Stoute. Offers a free tier (10% commission), a $19.99/year Debut+ plan (100% royalties), and a $59.99/year Select plan with exclusive brand and sync deal access. Differentiates through brand partnership pipeline connecting artists to the NBA, NFL, and consumer brands. Artists keep ownership of masters on every tier.
LabelWorx is a UK-based specialist music distributor founded in 2010 with over 15 years of experience. Focused on dance and electronic music at its core. Distributes to 100+ DSPs worldwide including Beatport, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Commission-based distribution deals with no upfront fees. Offers RoyaltyWorx (cloud-based royalty accounting), Accelerate (360 label and artist management), PromoWorx (promo platform), demo management, publishing for sync and micro-sync, and rights management for YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and Instagram. Label-focused, not artist-focused. Best for electronic and dance music labels.
Proton SoundSystem is a US-based music distributor founded by Jason Wohlstadter of Proton Radio. Designed for electronic music labels, with 1200+ independent labels on the platform. No upfront or recurring fees. 30% commission on sales, 70% to label. Distributes to Beatport, Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud, MixCloud, YouTube, Tidal, Deezer, TraxSource, Juno, Tencent/Alibaba/NetEase (China), and more. Best Beatport deal in the industry with +10% mechanical royalties and +5% as exclusive label. Smart contracts, compilation tool, DJ Mixes on Spotify and Apple Music, promo pool platform. Label-focused, not artist-focused. Best for electronic music labels.
