Need beats? Before downloading, artists need to know this about royalties.

Artists need beats – and when they’re on their own, it’s one of the most significant challenges they face.  

While DIY artists need to find the unique, high-quality beats that fit their musical style, too many find legal or financial barriers stand in the way. Sho Mitchell, co-founder of Beatlibrary, breaks down what artists need to know about royalties and sourcing beats. 

How do music royalties work?

Navigating the world of music royalties can be complex and overwhelming for many independent artists.  

Music royalties are payments made to artists, songwriters, composers, publishers, and other rights holders for the use of their music, based on their contributions. These royalties are generated whenever the track is played, performed, or distributed in various formats. 

Independent artists typically foot the bill on everything from recording to the promotion of the tracks they make. Even though artists pay those costs, tracks’ royalties get split multiple ways. For example, a songwriter may be entitled to 50% of the royalties of a track, while the performer and beatmaker each earn 25%.  

This fragmentation can complicate royalty calculations and distributions, especially for independent artists managing their career on their own.  

That’s why we created Beatlibrary – to streamline the royalties process by offering clear, straightforward licensing that allows artists to keep 100% of the income generated from their music. This means artists can use beats without worrying about the intricate details of royalty fees. 

Our subscription-based service allows artists to access thousands of royalty-free, industry-quality beats without the headache of royalty fees so artists can focus on what they do best: creating great music. 

What’s the most important thing DIY artists need to understand when sourcing beats for their songs?

Understanding the licensing agreements of the beats used in their music is vital for artists to ensure they have the necessary rights to use the beats and to avoid any legal issues down the line. It's crucial for artists to know precisely what rights they are obtaining when they purchase or use a beat, as well as any limitations or restrictions that may apply. 

The problem is that most sourcing platforms either offer beats that come with prohibitive costs or come with complicated licensing contracts. As a result, artists may find themselves in situations where they unknowingly infringe on copyrights or violate licensing terms, which can lead to legal disputes, financial liabilities, and damage to their reputation.  

The uncertainty and ambiguity surrounding licensing agreements can stifle creativity and hinder the artistic process as artists are hesitant to use beats due to fears of legal repercussions. 

Beatlibrary addresses this problem by offering an extensive, accessible, and legally sound library of beats. This enables artists to focus on their creativity and artistic expression, knowing that they have the necessary rights to use the beats in their work. 

How important is it for artists to have access to resources that are traditionally only available through a network of connections or a major label?

The problem artists face with sourcing beats is often twofold: Firstly, many independent and emerging artists struggle to access high-quality resources due to the lack of a significant network or connections within the music industry. Secondly, even when beats are available, there's a risk of compromising on quality, which can bring down the overall production value of their music. This issue not only limits creative opportunities, but also perpetuates inequality in the industry, as artists with fewer connections may find it harder to compete.  

At Beatlibrary, we want to change that. We’re giving artists access to high-quality resources so they don’t have to rely on industry connections to make great music. We address these challenges by providing a diverse library of royalty-free beats, ensuring that all artists, regardless of their background or connections, have the opportunity to access and incorporate high-quality beats into their music productions.  

This platform gives artists easy access a wide variety of beats, enabling them to find the perfect sound for their projects without the need for extensive industry connections. This access helps level the playing field, allowing talent and creativity to shine.  

By democratizing the music production landscape, Beatlibrary aims to empower artists to focus on their creativity rather than relying solely on connections for success, ultimately fostering a more inclusive and vibrant community where both artists and beatmakers can thrive. 

Special beatBread community access to beats

beatBread has teamed up with our friends at Beatlibrary to offer the beatBread community access thousands of royalty-free, industry-quality beats without the headaches of royalty fees. This special Beatlibrary subscription, usually valued at $9.99/month, allows artists to download five free beats a month. Sign up here.