We’re on a mission to discover the best music distribution platform available to musicians.
Today we’re going to discuss Symphonic Distribution – Giving you all the details you need to know when selecting the right distribution service for your music.
What Is Symphonic Distribution?
We reviewed Symphonic in 2020 and it’s had a massive overhaul in the way they operate. Previously, it was only available on an approval process, and subscription costs alongside their commissions we’re a little all over the place. It’s great to see them take note of the changing environment of the music industry and implement a lot of changes throughout the last few years.
Do You Have To Pay To Use Symphonic Distribution?
If you only wish to use their distribution services, it is completely free, with them taking around 15% from your royalties.
UPDATE – It’s only free if you apply to become a partner. They’ve opened up their core distribution to everyone at $19.99 per year!
Now we’ve got that cleared up, this is what they offer within their $19.99 subscription:
- Speed of delivery to ISPs (1-2), this is extremely impressive!
- Customer service response time is 1 day (max).
- Split-Pay feature so you can pay collaborators automatically.
- You can schedule your release dates. This is something LANDR only offer in their most expensive distribution place, so again, lovely to see!
- Music Publishing is offered with a one-off $100 fee.
This all looks amazing! However, there’s one major downfall…
They take 30% commission from YouTube Content ID! For a lot of Artists this won’t be a huge issue. However, if you’re an established artist, or label, then it’s a major reason why we wouldn’t recommend Symphonic. 30% is extremely high compared to other companies we’ve reviewed.
Symphonic Distribution stores:
This is where Symphonic Distribution shines, because not only do they cover all of the major stores, they have another 100+ stores and counting within their reach. On top of this (very important) they use their own technology to reach these stores, which means you’re getting a complete, true statement of royalty earnings with no hidden services taking a percentage during the process.
Although they take 30% commission from YouTube Content ID, knowing that they have their own technology when distributing is a big thumbs up from us.
You may not know this, and we’ve discussed it within our main distribution guide; many distributors that give you 100% Royalties, use third-party services. So you’re actually getting 100% of what they receive, and it’s something that’s not discussed enough.
For example, their site will say ‘Keep 100% of Royalties’ but they’re third-party takes 0-30%, so you’re actually only receiving 70%-100% dependant on who they’re using.
Does Symphonic Distribution Promote Your Music?
They do, and they don’t – It depends how you look at it, and if you view Symphonic distribution as a distribution company or a full blown music marketing company, with the inclusion of music distribution.
I say this because alternative services that offer promotional tools will have it included within the cost, or offer, of the distribution service itself. With Symphonic, there’s a fee for pretty much everything they do.
This is not wrong, or bad, but it’s unusual to see. It also makes it difficult to give musicians a true representation of everything they offer. Lets try to cover everything…
Diagnostic & Analysis: In-depth analysis of of your audience, going over location, age, gender and interests. Alongside this, they include hashtag, and optimisation recommendations. Price? $250. UPDATED – Price: $400
Detailed Marketing Strategy: They will assist you, and/or your team on how to best optimise content and create engagement through advertisements. With this, they do help with the creation of content but they do not promote the content for you. All advertisement will require your own budget, unless you pay them extra to cover this. Price? $3000 (single/EP) for 3 months | $5000 (album) for 6 months.
Digital Advertising: Full execution of release/brand campaigns, giving them the freedom to advertise your music using their own techniques. Price? $1000.
Release Cover Art: $195
Electronic Press Kit: $195
Brand Logo: $395
Spotify Promotion: Approval process required, and prices vary dependant on your budget.
Video Distribution:
Not only can Symphonic distribute your release to stores such as iTunes, Spotify and others, they can also distribute your music videos. For $95 you can get your music videos on TIDAL, Apple Music and Vevo, Latido Music, Xumo, Xite, Noisep*rn, Viewlift, and Mood!
What We Like About Symphonic Distribution:
Distribution alone, they cover a lot of stores alongside great analytics and an easy to use platform. It’s a popular service for many labels. Everyone I’ve spoken to, who has used Symphonic Distribution extensively, speak highly of the service, and the customer support they have received.
What We Don’t Like?
In all honesty, at $19.99 for everything they offer is exceptional. However, personally, 30% of YouTube/SoundCloud royalties a big no-no for myself. If this isn’t something that concerns you, then they’ve you’ve got an amazing distribution option with a low yearly subscription fee.
Customer Support?
I’ve reached out a few times over the years, and only ever got one response, which took 7-14 days. However, people that use the service and have distributed music through the platform seem to be happy with the service and customer care provided.
Now they offer a yearly plan, I’m sure customer service will have been improved dramatically in all areas, both distribution and marketing.
Final Thoughts On Symphonic Distribution:
As a whole, their service is powerful, but to get the most out of it, you’ll have to pay fees for extended services, or become a partner. Even if you’re a partner, it’s not uncommon for most distribution companies to still not offer any marketing benefits without additional charges.
As a distributor, they cover a lot of stores and are considered reputable amongst established artists and labels. The only thing that takes away form us recommending it though, is the high commissions on YouTube Content ID and SoundCloud monetisation. 30% is way too much.
It should be noted that you can use a different distributor and also use Symphonic Distribution for their extended features.
► Full comparison of all distribution companies 🔥
You can reach out to me anytime on Instagram – Just send me a message if you have any questions and I’ll do my best to help!
I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
Wow, incredible blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is magnificent, let alone the content!
I’d should test with you here. Which is not one thing I often do! I enjoy studying a submit that may make people think. Also, thanks for permitting me to comment!
What’s Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It positively useful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to give a contribution & aid different customers like its aided me. Great job.
hey there and thanks to your information – I’ve definitely picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise several technical points the usage of this website, since I experienced to reload the website lots of instances previous to I could get it to load correctly. I have been pondering in case your web host is OK? Now not that I’m complaining, but slow loading instances instances will often impact your placement in google and can harm your high quality score if ads and ***********|advertising|advertising|advertising and *********** with Adwords. Well I’m adding this RSS to my email and can look out for a lot extra of your respective intriguing content. Make sure you replace this once more soon..
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
Attractive component to content. I simply stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to claim that I acquire actually enjoyed account your weblog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing on your feeds and even I fulfillment you access consistently rapidly.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
I have recently started a website, the information you offer on this web site has helped me greatly. Thank you for all of your time & work.
Thanks for helping out, good information.
Very interesting details you have noted, thankyou for putting up. “The best time to do a thing is when it can be done.” by William Pickens.
There are definitely loads of details like that to take into consideration. That may be a nice level to convey up. I supply the ideas above as basic inspiration however clearly there are questions like the one you bring up the place a very powerful thing will likely be working in sincere good faith. I don?t know if finest practices have emerged around things like that, but I am certain that your job is clearly identified as a good game. Both girls and boys really feel the affect of just a moment’s pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
Hello, you used to write wonderful, but the last few posts have been kinda boring… I miss your super writings. Past several posts are just a little bit out of track! come on!
Greetings from Colorado! I’m bored at work so I decided to browse your website on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the info you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, very good site!
I really like your writing style, good information, thank you for putting up :D. “You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses.” by Ziggy.
Very interesting points you have mentioned, regards for putting up. “Brass bands are all very well in their place – outdoors and several miles away.” by Sir Thomas Beecham.
Hmm it looks like your website ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any points for beginner blog writers? I’d definitely appreciate it.
I gotta favorite this site it seems very useful handy
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.
Undeniably believe that which you said. Your favorite justification seemed to be on the net the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people consider worries that they just do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
Lovely just what I was looking for.Thanks to the author for taking his time on this one.
Fitspresso review
I got what you mean ,saved to my bookmarks, very decent website .
You made some clear points there. I looked on the internet for the topic and found most persons will approve with your website.
Fitspresso is a brand-new natural weight loss aid designed to work on the root cause of excess and unexplained weight gain. The supplement uses an advanced blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support healthy weight loss by targeting the fat cells’ circadian rhythm
Fitspresso is a brand-new natural weight loss aid designed to work on the root cause of excess and unexplained weight gain. The supplement uses an advanced blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support healthy weight loss by targeting the fat cells’ circadian rhythm
sugar defender drops is a potent and effective way to support healthy blood sugar levels throughout the day. As your body adjusts to the ingredients, you’ll notice reduced hunger, increased energy, and improved blood sugar readings.
4ZGuqtlfKu9
90vo28KZNYE
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.