Apple Music's Spatial Audio Royalty Changes - 10% bonus

A photo of a phone using Apple Music with earbuds plugged in, on a blue background
Photo by Juja Han / Unsplash

Apple Music has recently announced a significant change in how they calculate royalties for artists, with a special focus on content available in Spatial Audio, but it may be out of touch for artists


The TLDR

  • Spatial Audio content on Apple Music will now earn a 10% higher royalty than standard audio.
  • This change incentivizes artists to create music in Spatial Audio, potentially increasing engagement and earnings.
  • However, the production of Spatial Audio content requires a license for the Atmos Production Suite, which costs over $300, but a 90-day free trial is available.

This move by Apple Music underscores the growing importance of high-quality audio formats in the streaming industry. Artists keen on maximizing their earnings and offering an immersive audio experience to listeners should consider transitioning to Spatial Audio. But, there's a catch: producing Spatial Audio content isn't cheap. The required Atmos Production Suite comes with a hefty price tag.

That being said, nobody is saying you cant use the 90-day free trial to master your existing soundtrack to reap the rewards of the 10% bonus.

Access the 90-day free trial of the Atmos Production Suite here: Dolby Atmos Production Suite Trial.

For those interested in mastering Spatial Audio, Mastering the Mix provides a comprehensive guide on preparing music for Apple's Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos. Their article is a valuable resource for artists looking to dive into this advanced audio format without getting overwhelmed by the technical aspects. How to Prepare Your Music for Apple Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos. This article was what clued me in on the 90 day trial, and does a great job of covering all the technical things.