PLEASE READ: Because you demanded it, ALL pricing, UPC/ISRC, and Digital Distribution info below is now up to date as of 3/2/2012! Any musician seriously considering digital distribution is thinking about getting their music on iTunes. iTunes controls between 60-80% of digital music sales, depending on who you ask. Fortunately, the once impossible task is now possible through several services catering to bands and songwriters. However, the different pricing models make the decision less than obvious. With my own first EP release approaching (at a crawl), I scouted out the various options currently available, and am posting them here for your convenience. Check ’em out, see what you think. (If I’m missing an option/service, let me know.)
Before Uploading Your Music to iTunes
Just a couple things to think about:- Have your Music Mastered. Mastering is the process of optimizing the dynamics, EQ, and volume of a recording. Whether you do it yourself, or have it done professionally, it’s the last tweak step to make sure your stuff is as close to commercial standards as possible.
- Obtain a UPC Code. To sell your music, you will need a UPC code assigned to your release. All of the services listed below can do this for you if you haven’t already; some charge a fee, some don’t. (I include that info below.) You will also need an ISRC, but that’s even easier — all the services below will create one for you for free.
- Choose a pricing model. Different combinations of setup fees, flat fees, and commission fees are offered. If your music is less widely recognized, a commission fee structure may make more sense; if you expect to sell a lot, a flat fee structure with 0% commission may make more sense for you.
- Choose a service that meets your needs. Some of the services below may offer other tools and perks you’re looking for. For the sake of convenience, pick a service that gives you the most for your money.
7 Music Services That Can Get Your Music on iTunes
Here are 7 music services, in alphabetical order (lest you think I have a favorite), that offer bands a way to get their music on iTunes. The pricing models and packages are all different, as are the variety of core and ancillary services that each company offers. In this post, I am only comparing pricing options; you’ll want to do deeper research on your own (and I may write a follow-up post with a deeper dive). Hopefully, this list will help you make your decision.CD Baby
Pricing:- Whole Album
- Setup fee: $35 $49 to process a CD for CD Baby’s services
- Digital distribution setup is included
- Commission Fee: 9% royalties from iTunes sales
- Single Track
- $9.95 per single
- Commission Fee: 9% royalties from iTunes sales
- UPC is $20 for album, $5 for single
- ISRC is free
- iTunes, Rhapsody, eMusic, Amazon MP3, Napster, Verizon V-Cast, Google Music, MySpace Music, Spotify, Simfy, Nokia, Last.FM, Zune, MediaNet (MusicNet), Tradebit, GreatIndieMusic, 24-7, 7 Digital, Myxer, MOG, Heart Radio, Deezer, Liquid Digital Media, PayPlay, AudioLunchbox, GroupieTunes, Ruckus,

Ditto Music
Pricing:- Whole Album
- iTunes distribution is free
- No commission fees; artist gets 100% royalties
- $35 per album per year (for selection of “key” stores)
- Alternatively: “55c per track per store…and yearly subscription of $8 for a single and $22 for an album” (I don’t quite get that either…)
- Single Track
- iTunes distribution is free
- No commission fees; artist gets 100% royalties
- $9.00 per single (for selection of key stores)
- UPC is free
- ISRC is free

Musicadium (Acquired by ValleyArm.com)
Pricing:- For each “release” (single, EP or album):
- Distribution fee to one outlet $39 AUD (~$25 US)
- Distribution fee to two outlets $69 AUD (~$44 US)
- Distribution fee to three outlets $79 AUD (~$51 US)
- Annual renewal fee $20 AUD (~$13 US)
- Commission fee: None, artist gets 100% royalties
- UPC is $39 AUD (~$25 US)
- ISRC is free
- iTunes, eMusic, Amazon

Nimbit
Pricing:- For NimbitFree (Nimbit’s free service):
- $15/album setup fee
- 20% commission fee
- For Paid Nimbit Members ($9.95 $12.95/month):
- No commission fees; artist gets 100% royalties.
- Whole album or single track
- UPC and ISRC are both free
- iTunes, Rhapsody, Napster, eMusic, AmazonMP3 CDFreedom, LiveWire, Groupie Tunes,

ReverbNation
Pricing:- Setup fee: $34.95 (Essentials Plan)
- Setup fee: $59.95 (Pro Plan)
- No commission fees; artist gets 100% royalties
- A single track release is priced as an “album”
- UPC and ISRC are both free
- iTunes, AmazonMP3, eMusic, Napster, Rhapsody, Google Music, Spotify, Last.fm, Zune (Musiwave), Myspace Music, Medianet (Tesco, La Curacao, Synacor, WaTunes, plalist.com, MOG, Myxer, Secure Media), 24-7 Entertainment, 7 Digital, Virgin Mobile, Virgin Mega, Deezer, Simfy, Thumbplay OTA, Guvera, Aspiro, Nielson Soundscan, We7, Puretracks, Nokia, Rdio

Songcast
Pricing:- Setup Fee: $19.99 $19.00 per album; $9.99 per single
- Monthly Subscription Fee: $5.99 per month
- No commission fees; artist gets 100% royalties
- UPC and ISRC are both free
- iTunes, Rhapsody, AmazonMP3, Emusic, Google Music, Spotify, MediaNet

TuneCore
Pricing:
- Single Track:
- $9.99 per year
- $9.99 for ONE song (one time charge)
- $9.99 per single maintenance and storage (per year)
- Whole Album:
- $49 per year
- $0.99 per song (one time charge)
- $0.99 per store per album (one time charge)
- $19.98 per album maintenance and storage (per year)
- UPC and ISRC are both free
- iTunes, Rhapsody, Napster, MediaNet (x-MusicNet), eMusic, AmazonMP3, Amazon On Demand, Google Music, Nokia, Spotify, MySpace Music, iHeartRadio, Zune, Nokia, Vervelife, Sony Connect, GroupieTunes, Lala, ShockHound, Amie Street

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