If you're an artist looking for beats, you've probably run into producers selling their beats online. But let's face it – figuring out how it all works can be a bit of a head-scratcher. That's where this guide comes in handy.

This article breaks it down for you, explaining the ins and outs of buying beats online and giving you the know-how about industry norms. By reading through, you'll get the know-how on different types of licenses, what to know about free beats and more.

This guide is perfect for you if:

• You're just starting in music and want to take it seriously.

• You've been doing music for a while and are ready to step up your game.

• You're tired of using tagged free beats and want to explore other options.

• Or maybe you've reached a point where licensing beats seems like the next logical step.

If any of these sound like you, then you're in the right place. This guide will give you all the info you need to understand how purchasing beats online works.

For Profit Usage

My beats are available to be used free for profit up until 5,000 streams. This means, you can use the song made to my beat and upload it on all streaming platforms, but you have to add me in the credits as the producer (Shvrs) & split royalties. If your song surpasses 5,000 streams, you have to purchase a lease (a right to use the beat.)

Sometimes, with free beats (same as For Profit beats) there might come up some copyright issues. The easiest way to get rid of them is to purchase a lease, which, in a nutshell, is the rights to use the beat. This way, for example, if Youtube asks if you have the rights to use this composition, you always have a contract saying "Yes, I can use this."

PLEASE NOTE: Most producers don't give out free beats like this. I do, but if you use my tracks, make sure to notify me about it. Failure to do so may result in legal action.

Non-exclusive Leases & Exclusives

There are 2 types of lease options for beats; Non-exclusive and exclusive leases.

The biggest difference is that a non-exclusive license for one beat can be sold to several artists. Yet, an exclusive license can only be sold once and to one artist. Obviously, exclusives will always be way more expensive.

Leasing Options

I offer multiple leasing options, which I explain below;

MP3 - $29, gives mp3 file of the beat, which is a compressed file format "lower" quality than WAV. It allows up to 15k streams, after that you’ll have to upgrade the lease.

UNLIMITED - $49, gives WAV file of the beat, which is an uncompressed file format, best quality possible. It has no stream cap, meaning you can have basically unlimited streams, you won’t have to upgrade that lease ever again. This is the most popular and best lease options to go for.

UNLIMITED+ $99, gives all of the above + more rights AND Trackout Files, which means you’ll get all separate files, for example, piano, snare, hihat, bass, all different elements of the beat in separate files. Best option if you're about to get your song looked at by a mixing engineer.

FULL MONETIZATION $249, everything mentioned above, with no limits anywhere. This lease option allows you to submit your music for sync licensing, and is best when you have budget and want to get beats with no limitations at all.

Exclusives can range from $349 - $999. Exclusive Beat means, the beat is yours. You own the beat, and no one in the whole wide world won't be able to buy it after you buy it.

The more expensive the license, the more rights granted by the producer basically

Important

Some producers manipulate the contracts to say that these leases expire a year after its been bought. This is why it's very important to pick your own producer that you can trust, that makes everything clear. For me, my leases only expire in 10 years, which is standard. With exclusive beats, there is no expiration.

I definitely recommend starting with an unlimited lease, which is $50, so you won’t have to worry about the payment of the beat ever again. If it blows up, you can come back to get it exclusively (if the beat is still available). Of course, you still need to give a producer a certain share of royalties (depends on producers, usually 15-25% depending on how much the producer has gotten upfront as a payment). It is a lot and might get confusing, but everything in due time.

I recommend finding a producer that works for you rather than finding beats all over the internet. This way, you always have someone to work together, its good to have a team in the long run. It’s also cheaper as you’ll befriend the producer and this way, y’all can negotiate on specifics and future projects. I’d love to be that producer for you.

Hope this helped! Feel free to DM me for any questions on Instagram: @beatsbyshvrs

Have a blessed day! <3