The Orchard Music Distribution Review

The Orchard Music Distribution: A Deep Dive into One of the Industry’s Top Players

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What is The Orchard?
3. What Services Does The Orchard Offer?
   • Digital Distribution
   • Physical Distribution
   • Marketing & Advertising
   • Tech Advantages
4. Pricing and Revenue Share
5. Comparing The Orchard to Other Distributors
   • Tunecore vs The Orchard
   • CD Baby vs The Orchard
6. Conclusion
7. FAQs

Introduction

Before the internet revolutionized the music industry, independent artists had limited options for getting their recordings heard by a wide audience. Most musicians relied on record labels to handle distribution, shipping records to physical stores. Now, with streaming platforms and digital distribution, getting your music to global listeners is easier than ever. The Orchard Music is one of the top companies offering distribution services, providing artists the tools to reach global audiences through major DSPs like Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal.

In this article, we’ll explore The Orchard’s distribution services, how it compares to other distributors, and where it fits within the ever-evolving music industry.

What is The Orchard?

Founded in 1997 by Richard Gotterher and Scott Cohen in New York, The Orchard set out with a mission to help independent artists sell their music to global audiences. Over the years, the company expanded into both physical and digital distribution, royalty collection, and other artist services. In 2015, Sony Music acquired full ownership of The Orchard, solidifying its place in the industry.

Today, The Orchard is a comprehensive music and artist services company, offering digital and physical distribution, marketing, video monetization, royalty collection, and more. With offices worldwide, The Orchard has become a powerhouse for artists looking to scale their reach.

What Services Does The Orchard Offer?

Digital Distribution

The Orchard provides global digital distribution to all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and more. However, unlike open distribution platforms, The Orchard is selective about the artists it works with. Artists who are chosen receive expert support and a share of their sales revenue, typically around 15-20%.

Physical Distribution

For fans who prefer physical media, The Orchard offers distribution for CDs, vinyl records, and more, mainly in the USA and Europe. This service is perfect for artists who want to give their fans tangible copies of their work. The company also offers video distribution to global music channels and sync services for placing music in TV, film, and other media.

Marketing & Advertising

In addition to distribution, The Orchard offers marketing services. Artists can create dedicated landing pages and set up advertising campaigns to reach a larger audience. These tools help promote music effectively across various platforms.

Tech Advantages

What sets The Orchard apart from other distributors is its advanced technology. The Orchard Workstation allows artists to manage their content, view detailed business insights, and run marketing campaigns all in one place. Artists can easily distribute video content, track social media trends, and monitor playlist placements through the OrchardGo app.

Pricing and Revenue Share

Unlike some distributors, The Orchard doesn’t charge upfront fees. Instead, it takes a percentage of the revenue from sales, typically 15-20%. While this can seem high, the company provides a curated service that includes marketing and distribution support, making it a valuable option for artists with established fanbases or commercial potential.

Comparing The Orchard to Other Distributors

Tunecore vs The Orchard

Tunecore offers a straightforward pricing model where artists pay a flat fee per year to distribute their music. For a single, the cost is $9.99, and for an album, it’s $29.99 per year. After that, artists keep 100% of their sales revenue. Unlike The Orchard, Tunecore is an open platform, meaning anyone can sign up and distribute their music globally.

One advantage of The Orchard is its selectivity, which gives its artists more credibility with DSPs, often leading to higher chances of playlist placement. However, for independent artists just starting out, Tunecore’s open model and full revenue retention may be more attractive.

CD Baby vs The Orchard

CD Baby charges a one-time fee ($9.95 for a single, $29 for an album) and takes 9% of digital sales going forward. Like Tunecore, CD Baby is open to all artists and offers additional services like physical distribution and CD manufacturing. While The Orchard is more exclusive, CD Baby’s model allows artists to keep a higher percentage of their digital sales while offering solid tools for performance tracking and promotion.

Conclusion: Is The Orchard the Right Fit for You?

The Orchard is a powerhouse in the music distribution industry, offering curated services that can help artists maximize their reach and sales potential. With advanced tech tools, global distribution networks, and marketing support, The Orchard is an excellent option for artists with established fanbases who want to take their careers to the next level.

However, for artists at the beginning of their journey, more accessible platforms like Tunecore or CD Baby may be more suitable. These platforms allow artists to retain their independence while building their audience, giving them flexibility until they’re ready to work with a company like The Orchard.

FAQs

1. What is the main advantage of The Orchard over other distributors?
The Orchard offers curated services that provide artists with more clout when dealing with DSPs, which can increase the chances of playlist placements and overall visibility.

2. Does The Orchard work with all artists?
No, The Orchard only works with select artists who meet their standards. This exclusivity helps maintain high quality and ensures that they can focus their resources on artists with commercial potential.

3. How much does The Orchard charge?
The Orchard doesn’t charge upfront fees. Instead, they take a percentage of the artist’s revenue, typically between 15-20%.

4. What alternatives are there to The Orchard?
Some of the main alternatives to The Orchard include Tunecore, CD Baby, and other digital distributors that offer different pricing models and services.

5. Should independent artists start with The Orchard?
For most independent artists starting out, platforms like Tunecore or CD Baby are more accessible. These services allow artists to retain more control over their work and revenue as they build their careers.