Is Core really free?
Yes, for good. No trial, no time limit, and no cap on how much music you upload.
Does paying for Pro change my rate?
No. Every artist earns 1p per stream. Pro adds tools to your page and your reach — nothing more.
Can I upload covers?
No. subTotem is for original music. You can play covers in a live stream, and they're cut from the recording afterwards.
Can a cover or tribute band join?
Not as an artist on subTotem. Your own songs are welcome.
What about AI?
Music made entirely by AI isn't allowed. Using AI tools while you write, produce or master your own music is fine.
Do I get paid when someone plays my free track?
Not by listeners on Core, the free plan. They can play one track of yours — the one you choose as your free track — and those plays pay nothing: it's how new listeners find you. When a Patron or Champion listener plays it, it pays 1p like any other stream.
Do you take a cut of merch or tickets?
A flat 5%, whatever your tier — less than most platforms take. The only other deduction is the card processing fee on each sale.
Who owns my music?
You do. Uploading to subTotem doesn't change who owns your recordings or your songs.
I'm a producer. Which account do I need?
An artist account. The basic producer tools come with Core and Pro, and the full set is an add-on to Pro, so there's no separate producer sign-up.
I manage artists, or run a label.
You'll get an account of your own, from £30 a month for up to five artists — see managers and labels. Every penny still goes to the artist.
Can I use my own domain?
Yes, one you already own, bought from anyone. On every tier you can forward it, so yourband.com takes fans to your page. On Pro you can connect it instead, and your page shows at www.yourband.com with your address in the bar: you add one record where you bought it, and we do the rest. The domain stays yours, and we don't sell domains.
What if I move back to Core?
Your music, page and fans stay put, and links you've already shared keep working. A connected domain keeps taking fans to your page for 30 days, then it's disconnected, and you can forward it for free instead. Your name is never passed to another artist.
When can listeners hear me?
We're bringing artists on board first, so there's plenty to hear on day one. Listening opens once the catalogue is ready.