Music Quest
"No matter what the game, if you don't know the rules, the game will play YOU."
Module 1: The Two Paths
Owning vs. Renting: The two main highways for your music.
In music, there are two main paths to get your music to the world. They are built on one simple concept: owning vs. renting.
1. The Private Path (DTC)
What it is: This is the Direct-to-Consumer route. This path focuses on selling your music (as digital downloads or physical goods) directly to your fans.
The Concept: This is the "Owning" model. The fan acquires a copy for their own Private Performance.
Analogy: Like buying a pair of shoes. You own them. You wear them in private.
2. The Public Path (Distributors)
What it is: Using a distributor to get music onto platforms like Spoti-Lie, Apple Music, etc.
The Concept: This is the "Renting" model. Listeners pay for temporary access.
Analogy: Like renting shoes at a bowling alley. You pay for access, the owner gets paid for public use.
Note: We strongly prefer YouTube Music, Pandora, and AmpWall.
It makes you wonder why any artist would rent their music at all, doesn't it?
Module 2: You Are Both
The secret the industry hides: You are the Label AND the Publisher.
Every song in the world has two (2) copyrights (legal souls):
- The Composition (©): The melody, lyrics, and structure. Owned by the Songwriter & Publisher.
- The Master Recording (℗): The specific audio file. Owned by the Artist & Label.
The Most Important Secret:
The industry wants you to think you are only an "Artist." They do this so you'll sign a contract with a "Publisher" who will "help" you. This is the redirect.
You, the independent creator, are BOTH the Publisher AND the Label. Never give up your Publisher's share.
Module 3: Your Digital DNA
The barcodes that connect your copyrights to your bank account.
These are the codes that prove you are the Publisher and Label:
The "Master ID" for the Composition (©). Like a Social Security Number for your song. You only have one.
Learn More at ISWC.orgThe ID for a specific Master Recording (℗). Like a Serial Number. Each version (remix, acoustic) gets a new one.
Generate via SoundCreditThe ID number that identifies YOU. Issued by PROs (like ASCAP/BMI) to tell them who to pay.
Get your IPI at ASCAPA "digital passport" for your public identity. Unlike others, you must go through a registration agency.
Register via Sound Credit
Module 4: Sovereignty in Action
How the DTC path bypasses the complicated "Renting" maze.
When you sell your music directly to a fan (DTC):
- The fan buys a copy for Private Performance.
- The messy "Public Performance" royalty doesn't apply.
- The "Digital Radio" royalty is bypassed.
- The sale of the Sound Recording (℗) is paid to YOU (the Label).
- The sale of the Composition (©) is paid to YOU.
The Brazen Transparency Detail
There is one rule that remains: the Mechanical Royalty. Because a "sale" is a "copy", a royalty is legally owed to the publisher. In a transparent model (like CreatorHelm), the store handles this by reporting to The MLC.
This replaces the maze with: One single, transparent payment.
Module 5: The Four Wallets
Deep dive into the "Renting" path (Spoti-Lie/Apple).
When you "rent" your music on streaming platforms (like Spoti-Lie), the money gets split into four different "wallets". You must register for ALL of them to get paid.
Wallet 1: Performance Royalties
For "public broadcast" (Radio, TV, Bars, Spoti-Lie).
Who Pays: PROs (ASCAP, BMI).
Split 50/50 between Writer & Publisher.
Visit ASCAP
Wallet 2: Mechanical Royalties
For "reproduction" (On-demand streams/downloads).
Who Pays: The MLC.
Paid 100% to the Publisher.
Visit The MLC
Wallet 3: Streaming & Sales
Revenue from Spoti-Lie, Apple, iTunes (and preferred partners like YouTube Music & AmpWall).
Who Pays: Your Distributor (DistroKid, CarToon Core, etc).
Paid to Label (minus fees).
Wallet 4: Digital Performance
Non-interactive digital radio (Pandora, SiriusXM).
Who Pays: SoundExchange.
Split between Label & Artist.
Visit SoundExchange
Yes, this is ridiculously complicated. It was designed to be confusing so middlemen could take a cut.
This is the game. And now you know the rules.
Module 6: Tools of the Trade
Essential software and registries for the sovereign artist.
1. Metadata Tagging (The "Digital Business Card")
Before uploading, use these free tools to embed your ISRC/ISWC codes directly into your WAV files.
- Mp3tag (Windows): Versatile, supports batch editing.
- MusicBrainz Picard: Open-source, cross-platform.
- Kid3: User-friendly, supports multiple formats.
2. Post-Distribution Registration
Once your music is out, register it here to ensure tracking and discovery.
Your Quest is Complete.
You know the rules. Now play the game. Upload your music, claim your wallets, and build your sovereign career.
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