How to choose a beat licence

You found the beat. You've looped it ten times, half the lyrics are already written and you want to record this week. Then comes the question that stops a lot of people: which licence should I buy?

It's normal to hesitate. Every producer organises their licences differently, with different names and different terms. In this guide I'll walk you through the concepts that come up almost every time, so you can read any licence agreement knowing what you're looking at — and choose based on what you'll actually do with your track, not on the price tag.

What you're really buying when you buy a beat

First things first: in most cases you don't buy the beat, you buy permission to use it. That's a licence. The producer remains the author of the music, and the licence defines what you can do with it: where you can release it, how many copies or streams it covers, whether you can monetise a video, for how long, and how the production must be credited.

That's why two licences for the same beat can have very different prices. The sound doesn't change; what you're allowed to do with it does.

Non-exclusive licence (often called a "lease")

This is the most common way to start. With a non-exclusive licence you can use the beat in your song, but the producer can keep licensing it to other artists. It's usually more affordable and it's perfect for many situations: a single to grow on streaming platforms, a track for social media, a serious demo.

What usually varies between non-exclusive licences:

File format: MP3, WAV or separate tracks (stems / trackouts).
Distribution limits: how many streams, sales or downloads are covered.
Video: whether you can release a music video and whether it can be monetised.
Live and radio use: included or not.
Term: some licences expire, others don't.

When you go beyond your licence limits, the usual route is to upgrade it. How that works and what it costs depends on each producer, so it's worth checking before you buy.

Exclusive licence

With an exclusive licence, the beat is no longer sold to other artists from the moment you buy it. It usually includes the highest-quality files and fewer usage limits, and it makes sense when the track is a big bet: a promoted release, a label project or a song you want to be yours alone.

Two details many people overlook:

Earlier licences may still be valid. If someone bought a non-exclusive licence before you, they can usually keep using their version under their terms. Read how the agreement handles it.
Exclusive isn't the same as full ownership. With an exclusive licence, authorship, credits and the split of publishing rights are usually handled separately. That's why some producers also offer a full-ownership licence (in my store, Full Ownership). Exactly what each one grants is in its agreement.

MP3, WAV or trackouts: what do you need?

This has a big impact on how your track will sound in the end:

MP3: handy for writing and demos, but it's a compressed format.
WAV: the full beat in high quality, as a single stereo file. The recommended minimum for a release.
Trackouts (stems): each element of the beat separately (drums, bass, melodies…). They let whoever mixes your song shape the beat around your voice. If you're paying for a proper mix, you'll be glad you have them.

The questions I'd ask you before choosing

Is it a demo, a track for social media or a promoted release?
Will you put it on streaming platforms and stores?
Will there be a music video? Do you want to monetise it?
Could it end up in advertising, film or games? These uses (sync) are usually separate and worth asking about.
Will someone mix the track? Then think about trackouts.
Do you mind other artists using the same beat? If you do, look at the exclusive.

Answer these honestly and the right licence usually becomes clear. If you're torn between two, pick the one that covers what you'll really do in the next few months, knowing whether you can upgrade later.

Credits and registration

Whatever the licence, credit the production as the agreement says (for example "prod. by…" in the title or in the platform credits). If you register your song with a collecting society, also check what the agreement says about the split between lyricist, composer and producer. Getting it right from the start avoids problems once the track starts moving.

What level I deliver my beats at

I'm not part of the loudness war. I give you what you need to do a good job: almost all my beats come with peaks around −6 dBFS, with headroom to mix your vocal. I won't sell you fake power that ends up impossible to mix. If they sound quieter than others when you preview them, that's on purpose: turn it up. I explain why in the loudness war.

Where to see the exact terms of my licences

Everything above is a general explanation. The specific terms of each licence for my beats — what's included, limits, formats and price — are in my BeatStars store, in the player on this site: when you pick a beat you can see the licence options and read the agreement before buying. That's the reference that counts.

In my store you'll see them as MP3 + WAV, Trackout Stems, Exclusive and Full Ownership. What each one includes is in the agreement inside the player.

Got a question the agreement doesn't answer, or want something that doesn't fit any standard licence? Write to me and we'll figure it out.