Yes, it is possible to upload music to TIDAL for free, but it requires using a third-party distribution service.
How to Get Your Music on TIDAL for Free
While TIDAL itself doesn't offer a direct portal for artists to upload music to its platform, you can get your music on TIDAL without paying upload fees by partnering with a digital music distributor that has an agreement with TIDAL.
According to the provided reference, artists and labels can utilize platforms like RouteNote to distribute their music.
- Reference Information: "As an artist or label, you can get your music on TIDAL's platform easily and at no extra cost by creating a free account at www.routenote.com."
This means that by signing up for a free account with RouteNote, you can upload your music through their system, and they will then deliver it to TIDAL (among other streaming services) without charging you an upfront fee for the upload.
Key Considerations for Free Distribution
Using a free distribution service typically comes with specific terms regarding revenue sharing. While the upload is free:
- You usually split the streaming revenue earned from TIDAL (and other platforms) with the distributor.
- Some free services offer a premium tier for a fee, which may provide a higher revenue share or additional features.
Here's a simple breakdown:
| Method of Getting Music on TIDAL | Cost | Directness | Typical Revenue Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using a Free Distributor (e.g., RouteNote) | Free Upload | Indirect (via distributor) | Split with Distributor |
| Using a Paid Distributor | Upfront/Annual Fee | Indirect (via distributor) | Higher Percentage for Artist |
In conclusion, uploading music to TIDAL directly is not a service they offer to independent artists in the way some platforms do. However, getting your music onto the TIDAL platform is free if you use a distribution service that offers a free tier and partners with TIDAL, as highlighted by the reference mentioning RouteNote.
