How to distribute to Tidal

For artists, record labels, and music app developers, distributing your music on various streaming platforms is essential for expanding your audience. Tidal is a high-fidelity music streaming service known for its excellent sound quality and artist-friendly royalty rates. This guide will outline how to get your music on Tidal, the benefits, and what to expect in terms of exposure and revenue.

Why distribute music to Tidal?

Tidal is renowned for its focus on high-fidelity audio streaming, making it a preferred platform for audiophiles and artists who want their music presented in the best possible quality. By distributing your music on Tidal, you can reach a dedicated audience that values high-quality sound, potentially increasing your fanbase and revenue.

Market share and popular regions

Tidal is available in over 60 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and several parts of Europe and Latin America. Its commitment to high-quality audio and exclusive content makes it a competitive platform in these markets.

Steps to distribute music to Tidal

1. Use a Digital Distribution Service

To distribute your music on Tidal, you’ll need to use a digital distribution service. These services help upload your music to various online stores and streaming platforms, including Tidal.

Popular digital distribution services that support Tidal:

• TuneCore
• RouteNote
• Ditto Music
• LANDR
• Amuse

Steps to use a distributor:

1. Choose a distributor: Select one of the digital distribution services listed above.
2. Prepare your music:
   • High-quality audio files: Preferred formats are WAV or FLAC.
   • Album artwork: High-resolution images (3000 x 3000 pixels) that meet the distributor’s specifications.
   • Metadata: Details such as song titles, album name, artist name, genre, and release date.
3. Upload your music:
   • Create an account on your chosen distribution service.
   • Upload your high-quality audio files.
   • Enter all relevant information about your music.
4. Select Tidal as a distribution platform: Ensure that Tidal is selected during the upload process.
5. Submit and monitor your release: After submitting your music, the distribution service will handle the rest. Your music will be reviewed and then made available on Tidal.

Direct Upload for Independent Artists

While Tidal primarily works with distribution services, platforms like RouteNote and Amuse facilitate direct uploads to Tidal, allowing artists to manage their releases more independently.

What they pay artists/record labels

Understanding the potential revenue from distributing music on Tidal is crucial. Earnings are primarily generated through streaming royalties.

Revenue breakdown

• Streaming royalties: Artists and labels are paid per stream. On average, Tidal pays about $0.0125 to $0.013 per stream, which is higher than many other streaming platforms【235†source】【236†source】.

Payment timelines

Payments from digital distribution services to artists and labels are usually made on a monthly basis, though this can differ by service. Most services offer direct deposit, PayPal, or other electronic payment methods.

Conclusion

Distributing your music to Tidal can significantly enhance your reach and revenue potential, especially among high-fidelity audio enthusiasts. By following the steps outlined in this guide and using a reliable digital distribution service, you can ensure that your music is accessible to millions of potential listeners.