Phase 1: Royalty foundation & catalog audit
Before branding. Before rollouts. Before exposure—we fix the backend.
Most independent artists are missing income not because of talent, but because their catalog isn’t fully registered across royalty systems.
You can be streaming, performing, and releasing music — and still miss money quietly.
Most artists:
Joined a PRO but never registered songs
Distributed music without setting up publishing
Don’t know what SoundExchange or MLC is
Assume everything is “handled”
Phase 1 exists to close those gaps.
What phase 1 does:
Phase 1 is a backend audit and registration service designed to ensure your music has the infrastructure required to earn properly over time.
We identify what’s missing, fix what’s broken, and document everything — so your future releases don’t repeat past mistakes.
Catalog audit
Royalty system verification
Registration assistance
Metadata accuracy checks
Clear documentation & education
the six systems we focus on
These six systems collectively cover the majority of legitimate royalty income for independent artists. Phase 1 focuses only on what matters.
Performance Royalties (PRO)
Mechanical Royalties (MLC)
Publishing Administration (Global)
Distribution & Master Royalties
SoundExchange (Digital Radio)
YouTube Content ID (Audit)
What you receive in phase 1
Full catalog audit
Identification of missing registrations
Assistance setting up required systems
Metadata consistency verification
Clear audit summary
Education on how your royalties work
Long-term foundation for future releases
what phase 1 is not…
Uploading music
Playlist pitching or PR
Marketing or ads
Guaranteed payouts
Ownership or publishing claims
Account takeovers
These boundaries allow Phase 1 to stay accurate, ethical, and effective.
Registration does not equal instant payment.
Most royalties take time to match and process. Phase 1 prioritizes accuracy so your income can flow correctly long-term.
Typical timelines:
Matching: 3–6 months
First payments: 6–12 months
Phase 1 pricing
Pricing reflects catalog size, complexity, and audit depth — not hype or promises.
starter catalog
$200-$300
Up to 10 Songs
growing catalog (most popular)
$400-750
11-50 Songs
legacy catalog
$1000-2000+
50+ Songs (Custom Quote)
Who this is for
GOOD FIT FOR:
Independent artists with released music
Artists unsure if they’re collecting everything
Artists preparing to release more music
BAD FIT FOR:
Artists looking for fast exposure
Artists wanting guaranteed or fast payouts
Artists unwilling to confirm splits or proper rights
Phase 1 is the same system used to audit and structure Empyre’s internal catalog.
BUILD THE FOUNDATION FIRST.
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Yes. Phase 1 ensures your music is properly registered before moving into branding, marketing, or release strategy.
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No. We guarantee accurate setup and education — not specific payouts.
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No. You retain full control of all accounts. Access is handled through guided setup or supervised sessions.
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That’s common. Phase 1 is designed to set things up cleanly from the beginning.
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Most Phase 1 audits and registrations take 2–4 weeks depending on catalog size and responsiveness.
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No. Phase 1 focuses strictly on backend infrastructure.
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After Phase 1, artists may choose ongoing catalog maintenance or move into creative direction and rollout strategy.