RouteNote Cover: The Complete Guide to Digital Music Distribution
In today's digital music landscape, independent artists have more opportunities than ever to share their music with the world. Among the various distribution services available, RouteNote has emerged as a popular choice for musicians looking to get their covers and original music onto major streaming platforms. This comprehensive guide explores everything you need to know about RouteNote cover distribution, from setting up your account to maximizing your music's potential.
What is RouteNote and How Does it Work for Cover Songs?
RouteNote is a digital music distribution service that helps independent artists and labels get their music onto major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, TikTok, and more. Founded in 2007, RouteNote has built a reputation for offering both free and premium distribution options, making it accessible to artists at all stages of their careers.
When it comes to cover songs specifically, RouteNote offers a streamlined process that handles the necessary licensing while distributing your music to global audiences. This is particularly valuable for artists who want to release cover versions of popular songs without navigating the complex world of music licensing on their own.
Free vs. Premium: RouteNote's Distribution Models
RouteNote offers two distinct distribution models:
Free Distribution: With the free option, artists can distribute unlimited tracks to all partner stores without any upfront costs. RouteNote takes a 15% commission from your royalties, but you maintain ownership of your music and can withdraw your content at any time.
Premium Distribution: For $9.99 per single or $29.99 per album per year, the premium option allows artists to keep 100% of their royalties. This model works well for artists who are generating consistent streaming revenue.
For cover songs specifically, both options require the same licensing process, but the royalty structure differs based on your chosen plan.
The Legal Side of Distributing Cover Songs with RouteNote
One of the most challenging aspects of releasing cover songs is navigating copyright law. Fortunately, RouteNote simplifies this process considerably.
Understanding Mechanical Licenses for Covers
When you record a cover song, you need what's called a "mechanical license" to legally distribute it. This license gives you permission to record and distribute someone else's composition, while ensuring the original songwriters receive their due royalties.
RouteNote handles the mechanical licensing process for you through their partnership with licensing agencies. When you upload a cover song, RouteNote will:
Identify the original songwriters and publishers
Secure the necessary mechanical licenses
Ensure royalties are properly distributed to rights holders
Deduct the licensing fees from your earnings
This automated process removes one of the biggest headaches for independent artists looking to release covers.
Licensing Fees and Royalty Calculations
For cover songs distributed in the United States, the current statutory mechanical royalty rate is 9.1 cents per copy for songs under 5 minutes (or 1.75 cents per minute for songs over 5 minutes). These fees are typically deducted from your streaming revenue before you receive your share.
It's important to note that these fees are separate from RouteNote's commission (for free users) or annual subscription (for premium users). When calculating potential earnings from your cover songs, factor in both the mechanical licensing fees and RouteNote's payment structure.
Step-by-Step Guide to Uploading Your Cover Song on RouteNote
Getting your cover song onto streaming platforms through RouteNote is a straightforward process. Here's how to do it:
Creating Your RouteNote Account
Before uploading any music, you'll need to create an account on the RouteNote website. The registration process requires basic information including your name, email address, and password. Once registered, you'll have access to your dashboard where you can manage all aspects of your music distribution.
Preparing Your Audio Files
RouteNote has specific requirements for audio files:
File format: WAV files (16-bit or higher)
Sample rate: 44.1kHz or higher
Channels: Stereo
Quality: Professional-grade recording with no clipping or distortion
Ensuring your audio meets these specifications will prevent rejection and delays in the distribution process.
Uploading and Tagging Your Cover
Once your audio is ready, follow these steps to upload your cover song:
Log in to your RouteNote account and click "Add New Release"
Choose between single or album release
Upload your audio file(s)
Upload cover artwork (3000x3000 pixels, JPG or PNG format)
Enter release information including title, release date, and genre
Importantly, indicate that the track is a cover version by checking the appropriate box
Provide the original artist and songwriter information
Select your distribution stores (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.)
Choose between free or premium distribution
Review and submit your release
When uploading a cover song, be sure to properly credit the original songwriters in the designated fields. This ensures proper royalty distribution and helps avoid potential copyright issues.
Review and Approval Process
After submission, RouteNote's team reviews your release to ensure it meets all technical and legal requirements. For cover songs, this includes verifying that the song can be licensed appropriately. This process typically takes 3-5 business days, though it may take longer during busy periods or if there are issues with your submission.
Once approved by RouteNote, your cover will be delivered to your selected streaming platforms. Each platform has its own ingestion timeline, but most releases appear within 1-7 days after RouteNote's approval.
Maximizing Your Cover Song's Potential on Streaming Platforms
Simply uploading your cover song isn't enough to generate significant streams. To maximize your cover's potential, consider these strategies:
Strategic Release Planning
Timing can significantly impact your cover song's success. Consider these factors when planning your release:
Relevance: Releasing a cover when the original artist is in the news or has recently released new music can help capture search traffic
Seasonal opportunities: Holiday covers perform well during their respective seasons
Pre-save campaigns: Use RouteNote's pre-save links to build anticipation before release
Release day: Friday releases often perform best as they align with playlist refreshes and weekend listening habits
Planning your release strategically can give your cover song the best chance of being discovered by new listeners.
Effective Metadata Optimization
Proper metadata helps your cover song appear in relevant searches and recommendations:
Title formatting: Consider including "Cover" in the title (e.g., "Bohemian Rhapsody (Cover)")
Artist field: Use your artist name consistently across all releases
Genre selection: Choose genres that match both the original song and your interpretation
Mood tags: Select appropriate mood tags that reflect your version's emotional quality
Keywords: Include relevant keywords in your release description
Well-optimized metadata increases the chances of your cover appearing in algorithmic playlists and search results.
Promotion and Marketing Strategies
Distribution is just the beginning. To drive streams to your cover song:
Social media promotion: Share snippets, behind-the-scenes content, and release announcements across platforms
Cover video: Create a YouTube video performance of your cover to drive traffic to streaming platforms
Playlist pitching: Submit your cover to playlist curators who feature cover songs
Engage with fans of the original: Respectfully engage with communities of fans who appreciate the original artist
Cross-promotion: Partner with other cover artists for mutual promotion
Effective promotion can significantly increase your cover song's visibility and streaming numbers. Consider building your own musician website to create a central hub for your music and connect with fans directly.
Tracking Performance and Royalties for Your RouteNote Covers
Once your cover song is live, monitoring its performance and understanding your royalties becomes essential.
RouteNote's Analytics Dashboard
RouteNote provides a comprehensive analytics dashboard that shows:
Streams and downloads by platform
Geographic distribution of listeners
Revenue generated
Historical performance trends
Playlist inclusions
Regularly checking these analytics helps you understand where your cover song is resonating and can inform future release strategies.
Understanding Your Royalty Statements
RouteNote issues monthly royalty statements that break down your earnings. For cover songs, these statements will reflect:
Gross revenue generated from streams and downloads
Mechanical license fees deducted for the original songwriters
RouteNote's commission (for free tier users)
Net earnings paid to you
It's important to understand that cover songs typically generate less net revenue than original compositions because of the mechanical licensing fees. However, covers often attract more streams due to the popularity of the original song, potentially offsetting the lower per-stream revenue.
Payment Thresholds and Withdrawals
RouteNote has a payment threshold of $50, meaning you'll need to accumulate at least $50 in royalties before receiving payment. Once you reach this threshold, you can request payment via:
PayPal
Bank transfer (for certain countries)
Payoneer
Payments are typically processed within 30 days of request, though this can vary based on your chosen payment method and location.
Common Challenges and Solutions with RouteNote Cover Distribution
While RouteNote streamlines the cover song distribution process, artists may encounter certain challenges. Here are common issues and their solutions:
Dealing with Rejected Cover Submissions
Cover songs may be rejected for several reasons:
Unlicensable material: Some songs cannot be covered through standard mechanical licensing (e.g., samples, mashups)
Insufficient original artist information: Missing or incorrect songwriter details
Quality issues: Poor audio quality or copyright-infringing artwork
Title formatting: Misleading titles that don't clearly indicate it's a cover version
If your cover is rejected, carefully review RouteNote's feedback and make the necessary adjustments before resubmitting.
Navigating Takedown Requests
In rare cases, even properly licensed covers may receive takedown requests from rights holders. If this happens:
Don't panic – this is sometimes an automated process
Contact RouteNote support immediately with your release details
Provide evidence of proper licensing through RouteNote
Allow RouteNote to communicate with the rights holders on your behalf
RouteNote's team is experienced in resolving these issues and can often reinstate properly licensed covers.
Optimizing Revenue from Cover Songs
To maximize earnings from your cover songs:
Consider the premium plan: If your cover generates significant streams, the premium plan may offer better returns despite the upfront cost
Bundle covers with originals: Release EPs or albums that mix covers with original songs to benefit from both
Target high-paying platforms: Focus promotion on platforms that pay higher royalty rates, like Apple Music and Tidal
Explore sync opportunities: RouteNote's sync licensing program can place your covers in commercials, TV shows, and films
Strategic planning can help offset the mechanical licensing costs associated with cover songs.
Alternative Distribution Options for Cover Songs
While RouteNote offers an excellent platform for distributing cover songs, it's worth exploring alternatives to find the best fit for your needs.
Comparing RouteNote with Other Distributors
Several other distributors handle cover songs, each with unique advantages:
DistroKid: Offers unlimited uploads for an annual fee with a streamlined cover song licensing process
CD Baby: Provides one-time payment option (no annual fees) but charges per release
TuneCore: Features extensive analytics and higher-touch support but at a higher price point
Ditto Music: Offers label services alongside distribution for artists seeking additional support
When choosing between these options, consider factors like pricing structure, user interface, customer support, and additional services. For a comprehensive comparison, check out this guide to independent music distribution options.
Platform-Specific Cover Policies
Different streaming platforms have varying policies regarding cover songs:
Spotify: Generally accepts properly licensed covers but may have stricter policies for covers that sound identical to originals
YouTube: Has its own Content ID system that may flag covers, but offers a revenue-sharing model for properly identified covers
SoundCloud: More lenient with covers but offers fewer monetization opportunities
TikTok: Particularly valuable for covers due to the platform's trend-based nature
Understanding these platform-specific nuances can help you target your distribution strategy effectively.
Success Stories: Artists Who Built Their Career with Cover Songs
Many successful artists have used cover songs as a strategic element in their career development. These success stories demonstrate the potential of well-executed covers:
Case Studies of Successful Cover Artists
Several independent artists have built substantial followings through cover songs distributed via services like RouteNote:
Boyce Avenue: Built a YouTube following of over 15 million subscribers largely through acoustic covers before transitioning to original music
Pomplamoose: Gained fame through their "VideoSongs" covers before establishing themselves as independent original artists
Alex Goot: Accumulated millions of streams through creative cover arrangements distributed through digital platforms
Daniela Andrade: Transformed popular songs into intimate acoustic versions, building a dedicated following that supported her original releases
These artists demonstrate how covers can serve as an effective gateway to building an audience for original music.
Lessons from Successful Cover Strategies
Analyzing successful cover artists reveals several common strategies:
Distinctive interpretation: The most successful covers offer a unique take on the original
Consistent release schedule: Regular cover releases build audience anticipation and algorithm favor
Trending song selection: Covering current hits can capture search traffic and playlist opportunities
Visual component: Pairing audio releases with video content creates multiple discovery touchpoints
Gradual transition: Successful artists often intersperse original songs among covers to transition their audience
By studying these patterns, you can develop an effective cover song strategy for your own music career.
Future Trends in Digital Distribution for Cover Songs
The landscape for cover song distribution continues to evolve. Understanding emerging trends can help you stay ahead:
Emerging Platforms and Opportunities
Several developments are creating new opportunities for cover artists:
Short-form video platforms: TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts provide new venues for cover song discovery
AI-powered matching: Improved algorithms are helping connect cover versions with fans of the original
Blockchain licensing: Emerging technologies may streamline the licensing process and royalty payments
Virtual performance spaces: Platforms like Wave and Fortnite create new venues for performing covers
Collaborative covers: Cross-artist collaborations on covers are becoming increasingly popular
Staying informed about these developments can help you position your cover songs for maximum impact.
Changes in Licensing and Copyright Landscape
The legal framework for cover songs is also evolving:
Simplified licensing: Services are working to streamline the mechanical licensing process
International harmonization: Efforts to standardize licensing across borders may simplify global distribution
Creator-friendly reforms: Some jurisdictions are considering copyright reforms that could impact cover artists
AI-generated covers: Emerging legal questions around AI-created cover versions
Keeping abreast of these changes will help you navigate the evolving landscape for cover song distribution.
Conclusion: Is RouteNote the Right Choice for Your Cover Songs?
RouteNote offers a compelling option for independent artists looking to distribute cover songs to major streaming platforms. Its combination of free and premium tiers, streamlined licensing process, and comprehensive platform coverage makes it particularly suitable for artists at various career stages.
For artists primarily focused on cover songs, RouteNote's handling of mechanical licensing removes a significant administrative burden. The platform's analytics and royalty tracking also provide valuable insights into your cover songs' performance.
However, the right distribution partner ultimately depends on your specific needs, budget, and career goals. Consider factors like your release volume, revenue expectations, and desired level of support when making your decision.
Whether you choose RouteNote or another distributor, remember that cover songs can be a powerful tool for building your audience and showcasing your artistic interpretation. With proper licensing, strategic selection, and effective promotion, cover songs distributed through RouteNote can become a valuable component of your music career strategy.
Ready to start distributing your cover songs? Visit RouteNote to create an account and begin sharing your interpretations with the world.