Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between non-exclusive and exclusive licenses?

Non-exclusive licenses (Basic, Standard, Premium) allow you to use the beat while we retain the right to license it to other artists. You get specific usage rights defined by your tier.

Exclusive licenses transfer full ownership to you. The beat is removed from our store, no one else can buy it, and you receive all stems and unlimited usage rights.

What does "2-year term" mean for non-exclusive licenses?

Non-exclusive licenses are valid for 2 years from purchase. After 2 years, the license automatically renews for another 2 years at no extra cost, unless someone purchases exclusive rights to that beat.

If exclusive rights are sold, you keep your existing license for your already-released song, but cannot use the beat for new projects.

Can I upgrade my license later?

Yes! If you start with Basic and your song takes off, you can upgrade to Standard or Premium. You'll pay the price difference between tiers. Contact us for upgrade pricing.

What happens if I exceed my stream limit?

If your song exceeds the stream cap for your license tier, you need to upgrade to the next tier or negotiate a custom license. We'll typically send a courtesy notification when you're approaching your limit.

What is the publishing split?

For non-exclusive licenses, the standard split is 50% producer / 50% artist. This applies to performance royalties and mechanical royalties.

For exclusive licenses, you own 100% of publishing rights (producer gets 0%), though we appreciate a production credit.

Do I need to register with APRA AMCOS?

Yes! If you're releasing music commercially in NZ, you should register withAPRA AMCOS NZ to collect performance royalties.

When registering your song, make sure to list the producer with their 50% publishing share (for non-exclusive licenses). We'll provide our APRA details with your license.

What about Recorded Music NZ?

Recorded Music NZ handles royalties for the sound recording (the master), which is separate from the composition. For beats purchased here, you own the master recording rights (we keep compositional rights for non-exclusive).

How do I credit the producer?

For Basic and Standard licenses, producer credit is required. Use one of these formats:

• "Produced by ProdOfTheCentury"
• "Beat by ProdOfTheCentury"
• "Instrumental by ProdOfTheCentury"

For Premium, credit is appreciated but not required. For Exclusive, it's optional.

Do the beats contain samples?

Most beats are 100% original. If a beat contains samples, it will be clearly disclosed in the beat description and license agreement.

For beats with samples, we provide information about the source and clearance status.

Am I responsible for clearing samples?

Yes. Under NZ law, you are ultimately responsible for ensuring all samples used in your commercial release are properly cleared.

We will disclose any known samples, but you should verify clearance before major releases, especially for sync deals (TV, film) or major label releases.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept all major credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) and bank transfers via Stripe. All payments are secure and encrypted.

Do prices include GST?

For New Zealand customers, prices include 15% GST. International customers are not charged GST. The final price is shown at checkout before payment.

How do I download my files?

After purchase, you'll receive an email with download links. Files are also available in your account under "Purchase History" for re-download anytime.

Your license agreement PDF is emailed and stored in your account.

Can I get a refund?

Refunds are generally not available for digital goods once downloaded. However, we offer refunds for:

• Wrong or corrupted files
• Technical download issues
• Duplicate purchases

See our Refund Policy for full details.

What file formats do I get?

Depends on your license tier:

• Basic: MP3 (320kbps)
• Standard: MP3 + WAV (uncompressed)
• Premium & Exclusive: MP3 + WAV + Trackout Stems (separate instrument tracks)

What are stems/trackouts?

Stems (trackouts) are the individual instrument tracks that make up the beat - drums, bass, melody, etc. separated. This allows you to:

• Mix the beat to fit your vocals perfectly
• Adjust levels of individual instruments
• Remove or mute certain elements
• Add effects to specific parts

What BPM and key are the beats in?

Every beat listing shows the BPM (tempo) and musical key. You can filter beats by BPM range and key to find the perfect match for your style.