AudioSalad is a UK-based B2B music distribution platform used by independent labels, aggregators, and label services companies. It is not designed for individual artists — it operates at the label infrastructure level. This review explains what AudioSalad does, who it is for, and how it compares to alternatives for label-scale operations.
What AudioSalad is
AudioSalad is a UK-based music distribution platform that operates at the B2B (business-to-business) level — it provides distribution infrastructure for record labels, music aggregators, and label services companies, rather than direct-to-artist distribution. Founded in 2005, AudioSalad is one of the longest-established specialist distributors in the UK independent sector. It delivers releases to all major DSPs and music services using DDEX-compliant metadata, which is a significant technical advantage over consumer-facing distributors.
Who AudioSalad is for
AudioSalad is not the right choice for an individual artist releasing their own music. It is designed for:
- Independent record labels managing multiple artists and releases across a complex catalogue.
- Label services companies that distribute music on behalf of client labels.
- Music aggregators who provide distribution as a service under their own brand (white-label distribution).
- Companies with 50+ releases per year who need enterprise-grade delivery, metadata management, and reporting.
Key features for labels
- DDEX-compliant delivery: AudioSalad delivers metadata in DDEX ERN format, the industry standard used by Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and all major DSPs. This is a higher standard of metadata delivery than most consumer-facing distributors.
- Multiple label and sublabel management: AudioSalad supports complex catalogue structures with multiple imprints, sub-labels, and artists under one account.
- White-label capability: labels and aggregators can operate the distribution layer under their own brand without AudioSalad branding being visible to end users.
- Royalty reporting: detailed royalty statements at track, release, platform, and territory level.
- Physical and digital: AudioSalad supports physical distribution through partnerships alongside digital delivery.
- Direct DSP relationships: as a long-established B2B distributor, AudioSalad has direct technical relationships with the major platforms.
Pricing
AudioSalad does not publish pricing publicly. Pricing is agreed on a contractual basis based on catalogue size, release volume, and services required. This is standard for B2B distribution — consumer-facing platforms publish per-release or subscription pricing, B2B platforms negotiate bespoke terms. Budget for this to be more expensive than DistroKid or TuneCore per release, with the trade-off being significantly higher metadata quality, direct support, and label-level features.
AudioSalad vs consumer distributors
The key differences for labels considering AudioSalad versus a consumer-facing distributor (DistroKid, TuneCore, Ditto):
- Metadata standards: AudioSalad's DDEX ERN delivery is significantly more robust than most consumer distributors. For labels where metadata accuracy directly affects royalty collection, this is the most important differentiator.
- Support: B2B contract includes dedicated support rather than ticket-based customer service.
- Cost: AudioSalad is more expensive per release than consumer platforms, but typically competitive for high-volume label operations when account management and metadata quality are factored in.
- Minimum viable user: individual artists and small labels releasing fewer than 20 releases per year are better served by a consumer platform. AudioSalad's overhead (technical setup, contract negotiation, minimum commitments) is designed for higher-volume operations.
Code Group Music uses AudioSalad as part of its label services distribution infrastructure. If you are a label considering distribution options and need advice on the right setup for your catalogue size and release frequency, begin with a catalog assessment at codegroupmusic.co.uk/#catalog-assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can individual artists use AudioSalad?
AudioSalad is not designed for individual artist use and does not offer direct artist accounts. Individual artists should use consumer-facing distributors like DistroKid, TuneCore, or Ditto. AudioSalad is accessed via a label or label services company account.
What is DDEX ERN and why does it matter?
DDEX ERN (Electronic Release Notification) is the international standard format for delivering music metadata from distributors to DSPs. DDEX-compliant delivery reduces metadata errors, speeds up ingestion at DSP level, and is the format major platforms prefer from their supply chain. Consumer distributors use simplified proprietary formats that are prone to more errors.
Does AudioSalad handle publishing/PRS registration?
No. AudioSalad is a distribution platform and does not handle publishing administration or PRS registration. Distribution and publishing are separate — your distributor delivers the recording to platforms, while your PRO or publishing administrator handles composition royalties.
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