The Role of Music Distribution Companies

In today's digital landscape, sharing your music with a global audience may seem as simple as uploading a file online. With that in mind, you might wonder why music distribution intermediaries are still relevant. ¿Can't artists just do it themselves? Well, the truth is that music distributors play crucial roles in the recording industry, encompassing three key responsibilities:

1. Maximizing Reach on Digital Service Providers (DSPs):
While platforms like Bandcamp and SoundCloud cater to artists directly, they only scratch the surface of the numerous digital distribution channels available. Streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, alongside social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, offer immense potential for connecting with listeners worldwide. To ensure your music reaches the broadest possible audience across multiple platforms on release day, establishing a well-structured and efficient technological framework is crucial.

Most DSPs have restrictions that prevent artists from directly uploading their music, necessitating the involvement of distributors or aggregators. Even Spotify, after testing its direct upload program, concluded that "music distribution is best handled by partners." DSPs prefer collaborating with distributors to ensure consistent metadata and smooth payout distribution.

Additionally, each DSP often follows its unique set of metadata standards, making it impractical to manage the intricacies of digital music distribution manually. Distributors, armed with their expertise and advanced technology, adeptly navigate these complexities to streamline the process effectively.