Symphonic Distribution Review

Symphonic Music Distribution Assessment

Symphonic distribution offers a lot. You'll find music video distribution, publishing administration, marketing support, graphic design, advances, and more. The problem is that none of the extras come with the service you pay for because they're all separate services. Would you be disappointed in how you're handled if you chose Symphonic? Likely not. They'll get your music in the stores they list, if you earn money they'll pay you, and that's all you need. What separates music distributors is their intricacies. You can check out our head-to-head music distribution comparisons here to see how Symphonic measures up against its competitors. 

Top Reason to Choose Symphonic Music Distribution 

Symphonic specializes in EDM and related genres. It's the best choice if you make that style of music. 

Things of note

Take Downs

Symphonic charges a $20 fee per song it has to remove due to accusations of streaming fraud, copyright infringement, or any other violation. Their Distribution Terms state: 

In the event that Symphonic takes down any Client Content for any reason, the following will apply: in the event Symphonic receives a takedown request from a DSP or other third party due to a copyright or trademark infringement notice, Symphonic will charge a US $20 processing fee per release.

Exclusive Agreement

Releases you distribute using Symphonic are subject to an exclusive agreement that restricts you from any direct licensing with other platforms without their consent. For example, technically, you'd have to get their consent to upload your music to SoundCloud or Bandcamp or you'd be in breach of their terms. If you want your music on a platform Symphonic doesn't distribute to, you have to wait until it's added to their inventory of stores because you can't distribute the same release anywhere else. Their Terms state:  

Client shall not, during the Term, license or attempt to license Client Content to DSP’s without prior written approval from Symphonic. All pre-existing relationships with outside DSP’s related to Client Content, if any, are to be disclosed to Symphonic at the time of entering into this Agreement. During the Term, Client shall not itself make Client Content available via any electronic, digital or mobile platform or channel.

Lack of Transparency 

Symphonic's Distribution Terms aren't available to artists unless they subscribe to the service. In effect, you have to pay to find out what you're paying for.