You're Licensing a Beat, Not Buying It
Most artists don't pick the wrong license because they're cheap. They pick the wrong one because nobody actually explained what each tier means. Let's fix that.
Quick note before we start. Every producer sets their own license terms. What you're reading here are Mayu Beatz' terms, in plain English, so whenever you license a beat anywhere, always read the agreement you're actually buying. This is how mine work.
A non-exclusive license (sometimes called a "lease") gives you the right to record and distribute a song using the beat. You're renting access to the instrumental, not buying it. I keep full copyright ownership, and I can license the same beat to other artists at the same time. Think of it like booking studio time. Using the room doesn't mean you own the building.
All four Mayu Beatz tiers (Basic, Premium, Pro, Unlimited) are non-exclusive. Here's the part most artists miss: you keep 100% of your streaming and distributor revenue (your master royalties). The 50/50 split applies only to publishing (composition) royalties, which is a completely separate income stream. That distinction matters more than people realize, and I'll break it down below.
By the end, you'll know exactly which tier fits your next release. No guesswork, no overspending, no surprises.
The 4 Mayu Beatz License Tiers at a Glance
Every tier includes: 50/50 publishing split, PRO registration requirement, "Produced by Mayu Beatz" credit, and 100% of master revenue going to you.
No tier includes sync rights (film, TV, games, ads). Those always need a separate sync license from me, regardless of which tier you hold. And no tier lets you register the beat or song with Content ID or fingerprinting systems (YouTube Content ID, Meta Rights Manager, TikTok Rights Manager, SoundCloud). That isn't an add-on you can buy, it's off-limits, because those systems would file false ownership claims against me and other artists using the same beat. Heads up: if your distributor offers to "monetize with Content ID," opt out, because you're responsible for removing any claim it creates.
Basic License: The Right Start for New Releases
The Basic tier is built for artists dropping their first single, testing a new sound, or promoting on social before a full rollout. You get an MP3, which is perfect for demos, quick shares, and teasers. It's not ideal for professional mixing, but it gets your music out there.
You get a 50K stream cap, 2K downloads, 1 music video, and 2 radio stations. That covers a focused local release or an early-career project.
Here's the honest truth. A song doesn't need to be a chart hit to outgrow Basic. One TikTok moment can send thousands of people to stream it on Spotify or Apple Music, and those streams are what count toward your 50K cap (TikTok plays and social posts don't). If you're planning a real promo push, or you already have an engaged audience, Basic may be too tight from day one.
Good news: if your song takes off, upgrading is simple, and I put your original payment toward the higher tier so you're not paying twice for the same beat.
Premium License: For Artists Ready to Promote Hard
Premium is for artists with an active fanbase, a promo budget, or a release going to DSPs with real distribution behind it. The biggest upgrade from Basic? You get the WAV file.
Why that matters: WAV is uncompressed, so it keeps every detail of the mix. When you start from an MP3, the compression gets baked into your master permanently, and there's no undoing it. Any mixing engineer worth their rate will ask for WAV. Period.
At this tier you get 500K streams, 25K downloads, 2 music videos, and 5 radio stations, which is enough for a serious independent release with regional radio outreach and real momentum.
One reality check: a viral moment can blow past 500K faster than you planned. If you already have momentum or a growing audience, consider jumping to Pro. Premium is the sweet spot for a single release backed by a real marketing plan, a mixing engineer, and a growing audience.
Pro License: Built for EPs, Albums, and Professional Mixes
Pro opens things up for artists building an EP or album, working with a mixing and mastering engineer, or releasing multiple songs from the same beat. The 3-song allowance is something most tiers elsewhere don't offer. If you want consistent production across a rollout or concept project, this is the tier that makes it possible.
You also get stems (tracked-out files). Each element, the kick, snare, 808, melodies, and pads, is delivered as its own file. That gives your engineer full control: adjust individual levels, process specific elements, and shape the beat around your vocals in ways a single MP3 or WAV can't. The result is a polished, professional record.
The numbers fit a nationally distributed release: 2M streams, 200K downloads, unlimited music videos, and 25 radio stations.
One thing worth understanding at this level. Publishing royalties are real money, but you can only collect them if you register your song with your PRO (more on that below). At Pro-tier release scale, that's not pocket change, so don't leave it uncollected.
Best fit: artists working with engineers, releasing multiple tracks from one beat, or targeting radio and playlist placement at a professional level.
Unlimited License: No Ceilings, No Compromises
Unlimited exists for one reason: you can't afford to hit a cap mid-momentum. This is for established artists, label-backed releases, major playlist campaigns, or anyone whose rollout can't be interrupted by an upgrade halfway through.
Everything is unlimited: streams, downloads, music videos, radio stations. No caps to hit and no upgrades to worry about as the song grows, however far it goes. You get the full file suite (MP3 + WAV + Stems) for any workflow. One thing to know even here: if a record label, major distributor, brand, film/TV, or ad campaign picks up your song, you'll need written permission from me first, since that's a label/brand/sync situation rather than ordinary streaming.
Important clarification: "Unlimited" means your usage rights are unlimited within a non-exclusive license. I still retain copyright of the instrumental, and the beat can still be licensed to other artists. This is not an exclusive purchase.
And sync rights are still not included here. Film, TV, game, and ad placements need a separate sync license regardless of tier. If you're pursuing sync, reach out directly and we'll sort out a separate arrangement.
Best fit: artists with momentum, a team, or a rollout that can't tolerate interruptions.
Want the Beat All to Yourself? Exclusives Are Available by Application
If you want a beat exclusively, pulled from the store so no one new can license it, that's available too, but it works differently from the tiers above. Exclusives are handled by acquisition: fill out the exclusive request form on the beat's product page, tell me about you and how you plan to use it, and I'll set a custom price based on that. Once we agree, I send the full exclusive agreement directly.
Exclusives aren't sold at scale, and pricing is case by case, so if a beat is the one, start with the form on its product page and we'll talk.
What Every Tier Shares, and What None of Them Include
Shared across all tiers: Every Mayu Beatz license is non-exclusive with a 50/50 publishing split. You keep 100% of your master and streaming revenue. You register the song with your PRO (ASCAP, BMI, SOCAN, or your local equivalent) and credit "Produced by Mayu Beatz" on every release.
That PRO registration is a benefit, not a burden. It's how you actually collect your publishing royalties. They accumulate from your release date, but you can only claim them if you've registered. Don't wait until a song blows up to set it up.
What no tier includes: Sync rights (film, TV, games, ads) require a separate license. And no tier permits registering the beat or song with Content ID or fingerprinting systems, so if your distributor offers to auto-register your track for Content ID, opt out and remove any claim it creates.
Radio station limits are easy to overlook: 2, 5, 25, or unlimited across the four tiers. If you're doing radio promo, factor that in, not just stream counts.
The upgrade path: if you approach any cap, upgrade before you exceed it. I put your original fee toward the new tier, so you're not paying twice as you scale up. Starting lower and scaling up is a smart move, not a compromise.
How to Pick the Right Tier for Your Release
Ask yourself four questions:
- What files do I need? MP3 is fine for demos and social. WAV is required for professional mixing. Stems give you (or your engineer) full control over every element.
- How many songs am I releasing with this beat? One song means Basic or Premium. Up to three means Pro. More than three means Unlimited.
- What's my realistic stream ceiling? Factor in your current audience and your promo plan. Virality can take a song from zero to 500K+ in days. Plan for success, not just your starting point.
- Am I chasing radio or sync? Count your radio needs across tiers. Sync (film, TV, games, ads) needs a completely separate license.
Quick-pick guide:
- Just starting out, no promo budget: Basic
- Single release with a mixing engineer and real distribution: Premium
- EP or album rollout, working with engineers: Pro
- Established artist or major campaign: Unlimited
- You want the beat exclusively: the acquisition form on the product page
There's no wrong answer if you upgrade when needed. Starting low and scaling up costs you nothing extra, since I put your original fee toward the higher tier.
Note: This article is for educational purposes and isn't legal advice. For complex licensing situations, consult a music attorney.
Browse Beats and Get Your Questions Answered
Licensing a beat means renting access to a professional instrumental. The tier you choose should match your release goals, not just your budget. Every Mayu Beatz beat comes with instant download, lifetime access, and a clear upgrade path, with no surprises mid-release.
Head to the Mayu Beatz beat store to find your next instrumental and pick the license that fits your rollout.
Got a specific question about multi-song use, exclusives, sync rights, or anything else? Message me directly. You'll get real answers from a working producer with 11+ years in, festival performances, sync placements, and over a million streams. Not a support bot.
The right license isn't the most expensive one. It's the one that matches where you're going, not just where you are right now.
