Everything you need to know about online beat licensing

Beat licensing is the process of obtaining permission from a music producer to use their instrumental track—commonly referred to as a beat—under certain legal terms. When using a pre-made beat, you generally have two options:

In the first two options, the buyer receives a license that outlines what they can and cannot do with the beat. This license is your legal proof that the producer gave you permission to use their work in your own music. With free beats it works a little differently. Since the beat is available for free, you won’t receive a license. In the next section we will cover all three options one by one.

Non-exclusive licensing is the most common form of beat licensing. It allows multiple artists to lease the same beat simultaneously. This type of license typically includes limitations, such as:

Prices for non-exclusive licenses generally range from $20 to $300, depending on the platform and the producer. For emerging artists or those testing their sound, this is a budget-friendly option. However, if you're planning a major release or aiming for mass exposure, this might not provide the control or exclusivity you need.

Exclusive licensing means you're the only artist who will be allowed to use that beat. Once the license is sold, the producer cannot sell the same beat to anyone else. This type of license is typically chosen for:

Exclusive licenses usually offer full commercial rights and fewer usage restrictions. Since the beat is sold only once, the cost is higher—typically ranging from $200 to several thousand dollars, depending on the producer’s reputation and the perceived value of the beat.

Some producers offer beats for free, allowing you to use them commercially without payment. In these cases, no license is required, as the beat can simply be downloaded and used. However, it's important that you can prove the beat is in fact free for commercial use. At Make Waves, we’ll ask you to provide the source of the beat so we can verify this.

Copyright protects the original creator of a work—in this case, the producer. Regardless of whether you lease or purchase a beat, the producer remains the legal owner of the beat. They hold the copyright to the composition, unless a specific agreement states otherwise.

As an artist, when you add lyrics and vocals to the beat and record a track, you own the copyright to the lyrics and the recording itself. This means both you and the producer have rights in the final song:

Whenever a song earns money through streams, downloads, radio play, sync deals, or live performances—royalties are generated. These royalties are typically divided into two parts:

These belong to whoever owns the final recording, typically the artist. If you create a song using a leased or purchased beat, you usually own the master unless the producer retains a stake.

These go to the original creator, usually the producer you bought or licensed the beat from. Even if you bought an exclusive license, the producer may still retain (a portion of) the publishing unless stated otherwise.

Royalty splits: Think about if you need to payout royalties to other collaborators, you can just use the Make Waves splits functionality to pay out any collaborators. 

While the internet is full of platforms where you can buy or lease beats, here are some trusted platforms:

Online beat licensing can be a powerful tool for independent artists, but only if you understand the rules. With the right knowledge and agreements in place, you can legally create, release, and earn from your music with confidence!