EmuBands

EmuBands is a digital music distributor based in Glasgow, Scotland, founded in 2005. It is one of the longest-running independent distributors in the industry, with 20 years of operation. EmuBands offers a hybrid pricing model: artists can pay a one-time fee per release (with music staying live forever) or subscribe to a Premium plan for unlimited releases. All plans let artists keep 100% of their royalties. EmuBands is a Spotify Platinum Preferred Partner, a designation reserved for distributors that meet Spotify's highest standards for metadata quality and delivery reliability. The company handles all core operations in-house, including Artist Support, Platform Delivery, Supply Chain, and Product Development, with no automation for core operations. There is no payout minimum threshold, and Premium subscribers receive daily royalty payouts.

Pricing and Plans

EmuBands offers four support packages, each with different features. All plans let you keep 100% of your royalties.

• Basic (free): 1 artist name, pay per release. Singles from ~$10, EPs from ~$20, albums from ~$30. One-time fee, music stays live forever.
• Plus ($40/year): 1 to 5 artists, charts registration, pre-save campaigns. Pay per release pricing still applies.
• Pro ($80/year): Unlimited artists, hi-res audio support, live chat support, playlist pitching, personal account manager, royalty splitting. Pay per release pricing still applies.
• Premium ($120/year): Unlimited artists, unlimited releases (no per-release fees), all features included, daily royalty payouts.

The pay-per-release model is the core of EmuBands. You pay a one-time fee per release and your music stays live forever, with no recurring costs. This is similar to CD Baby's model but with 100% royalty retention instead of a commission. The Premium subscription at $120/year switches to unlimited releases with no per-release fees, comparable to DistroKid's subscription model but with the added benefit of daily royalty payouts.

Use our streaming royalty calculator to project your earnings and compare total costs across distributors.

What Sets EmuBands Apart

1. Spotify Platinum Preferred Partner: EmuBands is one of a small group of distributors with Spotify Platinum Preferred Partner status. This designation means Spotify recognizes EmuBands for consistently high-quality metadata and reliable delivery, which can improve how your releases appear on the platform.
2. All operations in-house: Artist Support, Platform Delivery, Supply Chain, and Product Development are all handled in-house. EmuBands does not outsource core operations to third parties, which means more direct accountability and quality control.
3. Human-led support: EmuBands uses human-led support with no automation for core operations. When you contact support, you reach a person, not a bot or automated workflow.
4. 20 years independent: Founded in 2005, EmuBands has been operating independently for 20 years. This longevity is rare in the digital distribution space, where many distributors have been acquired or shut down.
5. No payout minimum threshold: Unlike some distributors that require you to accumulate a minimum balance before withdrawing earnings, EmuBands lets you request payment anytime.
6. Daily royalty payouts on Premium: Premium subscribers receive daily royalty payouts, faster than most competitors. DistroKid pays weekly at best, and many distributors pay monthly.
7. Pay-per-release with forever online: The one-time fee model means your music stays live forever without recurring costs. You do not need a Leave a Legacy add-on like DistroKid charges.
8. Instant Spotify verification: EmuBands provides instant Spotify verification for artists, speeding up access to the Spotify for Artists dashboard.

Submission and Upload Process

1. Create an EmuBands account and choose a support package (Basic, Plus, Pro, or Premium).
2. Enter release details: title, artist name, release date, genre, language, and explicit content flag.
3. Upload audio files (WAV at 16-bit/44.1kHz or higher, hi-res audio supported on Pro and Premium) and cover art.
4. Select stores and territories for distribution.
5. Set up royalty splits if you have collaborators (Pro and Premium tiers).
6. Submit for review. EmuBands inspects and delivers to stores.
7. On pay-per-release, your music stays live forever after the one-time fee. On Premium, unlimited releases are included in the subscription.

EmuBands generates ISRC and UPC codes if you do not have your own. You can also bring your own.

Drawbacks and Things to Consider

• Premium is more expensive than competitors. At $120/year, Premium costs significantly more than DistroKid ($24.99/year) or DistroVibe ($19.99/year). The value comes from daily payouts, human support, and unlimited releases with all features included.
• Pay-per-release adds up for frequent releasers. If you release 10 singles per year on the pay-per-release model, you spend ~$100 in release fees. Premium at $120/year becomes the better choice at that volume.
• No publishing administration. EmuBands does not collect mechanical or performance royalties. You must register with a PRO (ASCAP, BMI, PRS, GEMA) and The MLC separately. Read our guide to mechanical royalties to understand what you are missing.
• No sync licensing. EmuBands has no built-in sync placement service. If you want your music in film, TV, or ads, you need a separate sync licensing company. Browse our sync licensing directory for options.
• Smaller store count than major competitors. EmuBands distributes to 100+ stores, fewer than DistroKid (150+) or iMusician (200+). Coverage of major platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, YouTube) is included, but niche platforms may be missing.
• Less brand recognition outside the UK. EmuBands is well-known in the UK and Europe but less recognized in the United States and Asia. Fewer community reviews and tutorials exist compared to DistroKid.
• No physical distribution. EmuBands is digital only. You cannot press vinyl or CDs through them.

Who EmuBands Is Best For

EmuBands is best for artists who value human support, permanent catalog protection, and 100% royalty retention. The pay-per-release model is ideal for artists who release infrequently (1 to 3 times per year) and want their music to stay live forever without recurring fees. The Premium subscription at $120/year is better for frequent releasers who want unlimited uploads, daily payouts, and all features included.

Artists who prioritize Spotify delivery quality benefit from EmuBands' Platinum Preferred Partner status. UK and European artists benefit from local support and no US tax withholding. Labels managing multiple artists should consider Pro or Premium for unlimited artist names and royalty splitting.

EmuBands is less ideal for artists who want the cheapest possible distribution (DistroKid at $24.99/year or DistroVibe at $19.99/year are cheaper for unlimited releases), artists who need publishing administration or sync licensing (use TuneCore or Songtradr), or artists who want the largest possible store count (iMusician offers 200+). For a broader comparison, see our music distribution services compared guide.

Related Resources

• Music Distribution Services Compared - Broader distributor comparison
• Streaming Royalty Calculator - Project your earnings across platforms
• Why Music Distributors Don't Offer Free Music Distribution - Understanding distribution economics
• EmuBands Official Website - Current pricing and sign-up