
Types of Record Deals Explained for Artists in the Modern Music Industry
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.
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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.

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.

DistroKid is the largest music distribution service by artist count, with over 2 million artists using it to distribute to Spotify, Apple Music, and 150+ platforms. The flat annual fee and unlimited uploads make it attractive. But the pricing is more complex than it appears once you account for add-ons. This guide covers everything you need to know before subscribing.

An in-depth comparison of major music distributors to help you choose the best option for your releases.
Record label distribution deals explained for independent artists: ownership, revenue splits, contract terms, advances, and how to negotiate better terms in 2026.
Free music distribution is almost gone. Here is why the economics stopped working, what the holdouts still offer, and how to decide what to pay for in 2026.
Your distributor puts your music in 180 countries on release day. That is availability, not an audience. An independent artist with 200 organic listeners in Germany has a more actionable international opportunity than one with zero. This guide covers how to find, build, and monetize international markets from your home studio.
Bodega Sync is the sync licensing arm of Symphonic Distribution. Leverages distribution network for sync opportunities.
ECAD is the central office for collection and distribution of performing rights in Brazil.
KOSCAP is a South Korean collective management organization for music copyrights, providing licensing and royalty collection/distribution services alongside other CMOs in the territory.