AudioSalad is a B2B music distribution and metadata management platform based in New York and London, founded in 2010. The company has 15 employees and generates approximately $4M in annual revenue. Its parent company is SESAC Performing Rights, LLC, which connects AudioSalad to the performing rights ecosystem. AudioSalad is built for record labels, aggregators, and label services companies, not individual artists. The platform is an Apple Music Preferred Partner and Spotify Preferred Delivery Platform, distributing to 100+ DSPs with DDEX-compliant delivery (ERN 3.4.1, 3.8.2, and 4.3 in development). AudioSalad is a DDEX Consortium member and supports a wide range of audio formats including WAV, WAV-HD, FLAC, FLAC-HD, MP3, Dolby Atmos, MQA, and Apple ADM, plus video formats including H264 and Pro-Res in HD and 4K. The platform offers white-label capability, multiple label and sublabel management, a powerful API for headless content management, bulk ingest via spreadsheet or DDEX, complex delivery scenarios with timed releases and territory-specific rights, detailed royalty reporting, and both physical and digital distribution.
Pricing and Plans
AudioSalad operates on enterprise and custom deals with no public pricing. Terms are negotiated based on label size, release volume, and specific needs.
Distribution
- Custom enterprise deals: No public pricing. Contact AudioSalad for terms.
- 100+ DSPs: Worldwide distribution to all major streaming platforms and stores.
- Apple Music Preferred Partner: Enables preferred delivery status on Apple Music.
- Spotify Preferred Delivery Platform: Enables preferred delivery status on Spotify.
- Best for labels with 50+ releases per year: The platform is designed for high-volume labels.
Platform Features
- DDEX-compliant delivery: ERN 3.4.1, 3.8.2, and 4.3 in development. AudioSalad is a DDEX Consortium member.
- Audio format support: WAV, WAV-HD, FLAC, FLAC-HD, MP3, Dolby Atmos, MQA, Apple ADM.
- Video format support: H264, Pro-Res (HD and 4K).
- White-label capability: Custom logo, color scheme, and custom domain.
- Multiple label and sublabel management: Manage complex label structures from one account.
- Powerful API: Headless content management, ingestion, and delivery.
- Bulk ingest: Via spreadsheet, AudioSalad XML Spec, or DDEX.
- Complex delivery scenarios: Timed releases, different dates, different rights per territory and DSP.
- Detailed royalty reporting: Full royalty accounting and split management.
- Physical and digital distribution: Both physical and digital channels supported.
- Artist and Label Marketing team: Pitching support for releases.
- Partnership with RecoChoku: Distribution to the Japanese market through RecoChoku.
What Sets AudioSalad Apart
- B2B platform for labels, not artists: AudioSalad is explicitly built for record labels, aggregators, and label services companies. Individual artists are not the target market. The tools, API, and workflows are all designed for enterprise label operations.
- Apple Music Preferred Partner and Spotify Preferred Delivery Platform: Dual preferred partner status on two of the largest streaming platforms enables faster delivery, direct access to platform features, and priority processing.
- DDEX Consortium member: AudioSalad is a DDEX Consortium member with support for ERN 3.4.1, 3.8.2, and 4.3 in development. This level of DDEX compliance is rare among distributors and ensures industry-standard metadata delivery.
- Comprehensive format support: AudioSalad supports WAV, WAV-HD, FLAC, FLAC-HD, MP3, Dolby Atmos, MQA, and Apple ADM for audio, plus H264 and Pro-Res in HD and 4K for video. This covers virtually every format a label might need.
- White-label capability: Labels can brand the platform with their own logo, color scheme, and custom domain. This is valuable for aggregators and label services companies that want to present a branded experience to their own clients.
- Powerful API for headless operations: The API enables headless content management, ingestion, and delivery. Labels can integrate AudioSalad into their existing workflows and systems without using the web interface.
- Complex delivery scenarios: AudioSalad handles timed releases, different release dates, and different rights per territory and DSP. This level of granularity is essential for major labels and aggregators managing complex catalogs.
- Multiple label and sublabel management: Labels can manage complex structures with multiple labels and sublabels from a single account, streamlining operations for label groups.
- Physical and digital distribution: AudioSalad handles both physical and digital distribution, which is rare in a market where most distributors are digital-only.
- SESAC parent company: Being owned by SESAC Performing Rights connects AudioSalad to the performing rights ecosystem, though publishing admin is handled separately.
- RecoChoku partnership: The partnership with RecoChoku enables distribution to the Japanese market, which is a significant advantage for labels targeting Japan.
Submission and Upload Process
- Contact AudioSalad through their website to discuss an enterprise deal.
- AudioSalad reviews your label size, release volume, and needs to determine fit.
- Negotiate a custom deal with terms based on your specific requirements.
- Set up your account with white-label branding if needed (custom logo, color scheme, domain).
- Configure multiple labels and sublabels within your account structure.
- Ingest content via the web interface, bulk spreadsheet upload, AudioSalad XML Spec, or DDEX.
- Alternatively, use the API for headless content management, ingestion, and delivery.
- Configure complex delivery scenarios: timed releases, different dates, different rights per territory and DSP.
- AudioSalad delivers to 100+ DSPs with DDEX-compliant metadata.
- Access detailed royalty reporting and split management.
- Use the Artist and Label Marketing team for pitching support.
Use our streaming royalty calculator to project your earnings and compare total costs across distributors.
Drawbacks and Things to Consider
- Not for individual artists. AudioSalad is a B2B platform for labels, aggregators, and label services companies. Individual artists will not find the right tools, pricing, or support here. DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby are better fits for solo artists.
- No public pricing. AudioSalad does not publish pricing. You must contact them and negotiate, which makes it impossible to compare costs upfront. This lack of transparency may be a barrier for smaller labels evaluating options.
- Best for labels with 50+ releases per year. The platform is designed for high-volume labels. Labels with fewer releases may not get enough value to justify an enterprise deal.
- Enterprise complexity. The platform's depth and feature set come with complexity. Labels without technical staff may find the API, DDEX compliance, and complex delivery scenarios overwhelming.
- No publishing admin as a standalone service. While AudioSalad's parent company is SESAC, publishing admin is not included as a standalone distribution service. Labels need separate PRO and MLC registration. Read our guide to mechanical royalties for more.
- YouTube Content ID and sync licensing not prominently stated. AudioSalad does not prominently advertise YouTube Content ID or sync licensing services. Contact them directly for current offerings.
- Small team. With 15 employees, AudioSalad is a focused operation. Support capacity may be limited compared to larger distributors, though the enterprise client base means more personalized attention.
Who AudioSalad Is Best For
AudioSalad is best for record labels, aggregators, and label services companies with 50+ releases per year who need enterprise-grade distribution with DDEX compliance, complex delivery scenarios, and white-label capability. The dual Apple Music and Spotify preferred partner status is valuable for labels that prioritize fast, priority delivery. Labels that need physical and digital distribution from one platform will benefit from AudioSalad's combined offering. The powerful API and bulk ingest options make it ideal for labels with technical teams that want to integrate distribution into existing workflows.
AudioSalad is less ideal for individual artists (use DistroKid or TuneCore), small labels with infrequent releases (use iMusician or CD Baby), or labels that want transparent upfront pricing (use iMusician or CD Baby). Labels without technical staff may find the platform's complexity challenging. For a broader comparison, see our music distribution services comparison.
Distributor Comparison Table
| Feature | AudioSalad | FUGA | The Orchard | Symphonic | Labelworx |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | SaaS monthly license + custom distribution deals | Custom enterprise deals | Custom enterprise deals | Subscription + per-release | Custom enterprise deals |
| Starting price | Not publicly published (contact for pricing) | Not publicly published | Not publicly published | $19.95/year | Not publicly published |
| Royalty retention | Custom (negotiated per deal) | Custom (negotiated per deal) | Custom (negotiated per deal) | 100% | Custom (negotiated per deal) |
| Store count | 100+ DSPs | 300+ | 600+ | 150+ | 200+ |
| Delivery speed | Not prominently stated (Apple/Spotify preferred partner) | Not prominently stated | Not prominently stated | 2 to 14 days | Not prominently stated |
| Publishing admin | No (SESAC parent handles separately) | Yes | Yes | Yes (Symphonic Publishing) | No |
| YouTube Content ID | Not prominently stated | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sync licensing | Not prominently stated | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| AI music policy | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated |
AudioSalad's SaaS model with a monthly software license fee differentiates it from pure distribution deals. Pricing tiers are based on the number of assets under management. The dual Apple Music Preferred Partner and Spotify Preferred Delivery Platform status is shared with FUGA and The Orchard, but AudioSalad's smaller scale (15 employees, approximately $4M annual revenue) means more personalized attention than larger enterprise distributors.
AI Music Policy
AudioSalad has not publicly stated a specific AI music policy. The platform does not prominently document whether AI-generated music is accepted, rejected, or subject to special review. Contact AudioSalad directly for current AI music guidelines.
As a DDEX Consortium member, AudioSalad supports the DDEX standard for AI disclosure, which was adopted across major DSPs in 2025 and 2026. The DDEX standard defines declarations at the release level (covering artwork) and per track (covering audio) that travel with release metadata. Distributors send these values along with the rest of the metadata, and each downstream platform treats the release based on the declared AI usage level.
Labels using AudioSalad should expect to provide AI disclosure metadata as part of their DDEX-compliant delivery. The four-level disclosure scale (no AI, minor assistance, AI generated material portions, or entirely AI-generated) is now standard across major DSPs including Spotify and Apple Music. AudioSalad's DDEX ERN 3.4.1 and 3.8.2 compliance means the platform can handle these metadata fields, but the company has not published its own content policies regarding AI-generated music.
Hidden Costs and Add-ons
AudioSalad operates on enterprise deals with no public pricing. The following costs and considerations apply:
- SaaS monthly license fee: AudioSalad charges a monthly software license fee with pricing tiers based on the number of assets under management. Contact AudioSalad for specific rates. This fee is separate from any distribution commission or revenue share.
- Custom distribution deals: Distribution terms are negotiated separately from the SaaS license. Deals may include commission structures or revenue sharing that are not publicly disclosed.
- No publishing admin as a standalone service: While AudioSalad's parent company is SESAC Performing Rights, publishing admin is not included as a standalone distribution service. Labels need separate PRO and MLC registration. Read our guide to mechanical royalties for more.
- Enterprise complexity costs: The platform's depth comes with complexity. Labels without technical staff may need to hire developers or consultants to integrate the API, configure DDEX delivery, and manage complex delivery scenarios. This hidden labor cost can be significant.
- White-label configuration: Custom logo, color scheme, and custom domain setup may carry additional one-time or ongoing costs. These are not publicly priced.
- Best for labels with 50+ releases per year: Labels with fewer releases may not generate enough volume to justify the enterprise SaaS fee and custom deal overhead.
- No transparent pricing comparison: The lack of public pricing makes it impossible to compare costs upfront against FUGA, The Orchard, or other enterprise distributors without entering negotiations.
Royalty Retention
AudioSalad operates on custom negotiated deals. Royalty retention is not publicly published. The platform includes detailed royalty reporting and split management, but the percentage retained by AudioSalad or paid to labels is negotiated per deal. Contact AudioSalad for specific royalty retention terms.
Store Count and Delivery Speed
AudioSalad distributes to 100+ DSPs worldwide. The platform holds Apple Music Preferred Partner status and Spotify Preferred Delivery Platform status. These designations enable priority delivery and direct access to platform features. Specific delivery timeframes are not prominently stated. Preferred Partner status typically enables faster delivery compared to non-preferred distributors.
Publishing Admin and YouTube Content ID
AudioSalad does not offer publishing administration as a standalone service. Its parent company, SESAC Performing Rights, handles performing rights separately. YouTube Content ID is not prominently advertised. AudioSalad is a YouTube Certified partner according to its partners page, but specific Content ID monetization services are not publicly detailed. Contact AudioSalad for current rights management offerings.
Sync Licensing
AudioSalad's FAQ page mentions sync functionality as part of its platform capabilities. The platform supports press marketing and sync workflows. However, sync licensing is not advertised as a standalone marketplace or service. Contact AudioSalad directly for current sync licensing availability and terms.
Royalty Splits
AudioSalad supports detailed royalty reporting and split management. The platform handles complex royalty accounting for labels with multiple artists and sublabels. Split arrangements can be configured within the platform. This feature is included as part of the enterprise distribution deal.
Release Protection
Releases stay online as part of the distribution deal. AudioSalad does not publish specific takedown policies or cancellation terms publicly. Enterprise deals will specify what happens to your catalog if the distribution relationship ends. Review contract terms carefully before signing.
Videos
Compare AudioSalad with Other Distributors
- FUGA - Full-service distribution and label management platform, 300+ DSPs
- The Orchard - Sony-owned distribution, 600+ stores, publishing and sync
- Symphonic - Full-service distributor with publishing admin and sync licensing, $19.95/year
- Labelworx - Label-focused distribution and management, 200+ stores
- Ampsuite - Label management platform with royalty accounting and Beatport integration
- Believe - Global distribution and artist services, selective entry
- dig dis - German label-focused distributor
- Full Distributor Directory - Browse all music distribution services
Related Resources
- Music Distribution Services Compared - Broader distributor comparison
- Streaming Royalty Calculator - Project your earnings across platforms
- AudioSalad Official Website - Current services and contact
