How much does music distribution cost?
With SRS, distribution access costs $0 per year and has no per-release charge. Instead of a subscription, the artist share is 85% of applicable net distribution royalties collected under the agreement; SRS retains 15%. For example, if a release generates $100 in applicable net distribution revenue, that represents an $85 artist share and a $15 SRS share, before any collaborator allocations or account-specific adjustments. Optional mastering, artwork, and rollout work is purchased separately. When comparing distributors, check both upfront fees and the ongoing royalty share.
Free should not mean unsupported
Many artists need distribution access first and professional help later. SRS keeps those decisions separate: distribution is $0/year with an 85% artist royalty split, while paid services remain optional for artists who want a stronger rollout. Too many free distribution platforms use zero-cost access as a hook and then upsell aggressively at every step. SRS does the opposite — paid services are only recommended when an artist actually needs the help.
Designed around release readiness
The platform guides artists through metadata, artwork, audio, collaborators, and terms before submission, so release problems are easier to catch before they reach stores. Poor metadata — wrong ISRC format, missing featured artist credits, incorrect release date — is one of the most common reasons releases get delayed or rejected. SRS builds readiness checks into the submission workflow so artists get feedback before the release is flagged. For artists who want deeper preparation support, the services catalog includes metadata review, professional mastering, and artwork production.
Paid services stay separate from the free lane
Artists planning multiple releases can add paid services alongside distribution without changing the distribution lane — mastering, artwork, video, marketing, and pitch preparation live in the same workspace but are always optional. Service orders are tracked from checkout to delivery in the client dashboard, files move through private Session Room reviews, and finished assets are stored in the delivered-file library. Nothing about buying a service alters the distribution agreement.
What happens after your music is in stores
Distribution is not the end of the work — it is the beginning. Once your music is live, you need to track performance, manage your store presence, handle takedowns if needed, and plan the next release. SRS keeps your release workspace active after delivery so you can access your order history, manage deliverables, and start planning follow-up releases without starting from scratch. For artists who want marketing support after release, the catalog includes pitch preparation/submission support, Discovery Mode eligibility review and campaign setup support where available, and content strategy services.
How the 85% split works
The 85% artist royalty split applies to net revenues collected through Signal Room Society's distribution agreement. That means 85 cents of every dollar earned from streams, downloads, and store sales is paid to the artist or their designated collaborators via the SplitShare™ payout system. The remaining 15% covers platform operations, licensing infrastructure, and distribution costs. There are no per-release fees on top of the split, no annual subscription required to maintain your catalog in stores, and no minimum earnings threshold before a payout.
