How to Publish a Song with a Leased Beat

In the music landscape, using leased beats has become a popular choice for independent artists looking to produce high-quality tracks without the upfront costs of exclusive rights. However, many artists are unsure how to navigate the process of publishing a song with a leased beat. In this blog post, we will cover everything you need to know to publish your music successfully while respecting the terms of your lease agreement.

Understanding Beat Leasing

Beat leasing is an arrangement where a music producer licenses their instrumental tracks to multiple artists for a fee. The artist receives a non-exclusive right to use the beat for a specific purpose, such as recording a song, performing live, or distributing the track on digital platforms.

There are typically two types of beat leases:

Basic Lease: Allows limited distribution rights (e.g., up to 5,000 streams or downloads).
Premium Lease: Offers more extensive rights, such as higher distribution limits and better audio quality.

Understanding the terms of your lease is crucial to ensure you stay within the boundaries of your agreement.

Steps to Publish a Song with a Leased Beat

1. Choose the Right Lease Agreement

Before you even start recording, ensure that you choose a lease agreement that aligns with your goals. If you plan to release your song on major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube, make sure your lease allows for commercial distribution.

Check distribution limits: Make sure the lease covers the number of streams or downloads you anticipate.
Look for monetization rights: Some leases may limit your ability to monetize your song on platforms like YouTube.

2. Record Your Song

Once you have your leased beat, it’s time to record your vocals. Ensure you produce a high-quality track by using professional equipment or hiring a recording engineer.

Tip: Always credit the producer as required in the lease agreement. This often includes mentioning the producer’s name in the song title or description.

3. Mix and Master Your Track

Mixing and mastering are crucial to ensure your song sounds professional. This step involves balancing the vocals and instruments and enhancing the overall sound quality.

Tip: If your lease includes trackouts (separate audio files for each instrument), use them during mixing for better control over the final sound.

4. Register Your Song with a Performing Rights Organization (PRO)

To earn royalties from your song, you need to register it with a PRO such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC in the U.S. These organizations ensure you get paid when your song is played on the radio, in public spaces, or online.

Include the producer’s information: Some PROs require you to list all contributors to the song, including the producer.

5. Distribute Your Song on Digital Platforms

Use a digital distribution service to release your song on major streaming platforms. Popular distribution services include:

DistroKid
TuneCore
CD Baby
Amuse

These services will handle the process of getting your song onto platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and more.

6. Promote Your Song

Publishing a song is only the first step. To ensure your music reaches a wider audience, you need to promote it.

Tips for promotion:

Share your song on social media platforms.
Use music promotion services to reach new listeners.
Collaborate with influencers or other artists.

7. Monitor Your Lease Terms

As your song gains traction, keep an eye on your lease agreement’s distribution limits. If your song exceeds these limits, you may need to upgrade to a higher-tier lease or purchase the exclusive rights to the beat.

Key Legal Considerations

Publishing a song with a leased beat involves legal considerations to ensure you comply with copyright laws and lease agreements.

Credit the producer: Always follow the crediting guidelines in your lease.
Stay within distribution limits: Exceeding your lease’s limits without upgrading can lead to legal issues.
Understand your monetization rights: Some leases may restrict your ability to monetize the song on certain platforms.

Can You Use Publisher on Leased Beats?

Yes, you can use music publishers with leased beats, but there are important considerations to keep in mind:

What You Can Do with a Leased Beat:

Distribute Your Song on streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc.).
Register with a PRO (Performing Rights Organization) like ASCAP or BMI to earn performance royalties.
Monetize Your Song through streaming and licensing, if allowed by your lease agreement.

Things to Check Before Using a Publisher:

Lease Terms:
Ensure your lease agreement allows commercial use, monetization, and registration with a publisher. Some leases restrict how much you can earn or how many streams/downloads are permitted.
Producer Credits:
Make sure you credit the beat producer according to the lease requirements. Failure to do so may cause legal issues.
Exclusive Rights:
If you plan to work with a major publisher or collect sync licensing fees (for TV, film, ads), it’s better to buy exclusive rights to the beat. Publishers often prefer exclusive control over a song.

When Publishers Are Beneficial:

If your song is gaining popularity and you need help collecting royalties from different platforms.
To handle song placements in TV, movies, or commercials.

Conclusion

Publishing a song with a leased beat is a great way for independent artists to create music without breaking the bank. By understanding your lease agreement, recording a professional track, and promoting your song effectively, you can achieve success in the music industry. Always remember to credit the producer and stay within the terms of your lease to avoid any legal complications.