CDBaby Question

[broslinger]

So, CD Baby dropped the "Pro" option.

My instrumental album was "Pro". I get streaming royalties from all over the world. It shows up in on the ASCAP website. etc. It's Pro.

My Catatonic Douche album was released as "Standard". It doesn't show up on ASCAP. I'm only getting domestic streaming on the usual sites (Apple Music, Spotify, youtube, etc.) FWIW, cdbaby says to go direct to ASCAP. I assume this is easy, but it's an extra step.

I've always like CDbaby because it's a one time fee, and I've been okay with their commission because they did the heavy lifting (with the pro option).

Now, I'm not so sure. I'm thinking of going elsewhere on my next release.

People talk about distrokid a lot, but I don't really want to pay an ongoing annual fee.

Are there any other options? THX!!

[ElDirtySanchez]

I've been releasing stuff through Distrokid since June, yes the annual fee is something I don't know if I really like, but I do like being able to release anything without paying any additional fees. I tend to release singles mostly, so paying 9.99 each time using another service would add up for me. Distrokid makes it easy if you want to release a cover song, they handle the mechanical license and takes a couple days to get it done, cost is $12 a year for that.
The one I will say is their revenue reports suck and the stats suck, I think the only stream counts it shows me are from Itunes and Spotify, but the only revenue its showing me is from Youtube Music streams, I've currently got one song I released maybe less then two months ago that's had well over 2200 streams so far.
They do like to try to upsell you on a lot of services too.
So I am curious as to what else is out there that works.

[ninjaraf]

I use DistroKid. I've been using it since 2015. I don't even think about the fee. But I haven't looked into any other services. DK has worked for my needs, and it's not really something I want to think about ever.

[maggotspawn]

I use Distrokid as well. No complaints.

[Lanceanot]

Another Distrokid, since 2013 I think. Registered directly with BMI and both work out well for me.

[broslinger]

You guys doing the base plan $22.99? or the plus plan? $39.99?

[ElDirtySanchez]

I'm doing the plus plan

[ninjaraf]

Mine is the base plan.

[Lanceanot]

Plus for me, I have this idea of releasing things under two names... Some slightly different styles, but still have only done my main
this. Standard would really be fine for me.

[broslinger]

Took the distrokid plunge today.

I paid the extra $50 to keep my new album live forever.

The upload experience is better than cd baby.

I didn’t have to remaster my stuff down to 16 bit.

I’m excited.