Fandom is where an artist’s career really lives—not just plays on a streaming playlist. Vinyl has long been the holy grail for fans craving a real, physical connection to their favorite musicians. But let’s be honest: pressing vinyl has been a brutal grind for indie artists. It’s expensive, slow, and if you’re not Taylor Swift or Adele, you’re stuck waiting months while the big names jump the line. Meanwhile, streaming platforms like Spotify throw crumbs your way while raking in billions.
That’s where SoundCloud’s new partnership with elasticStage steps in. For Artist Pro users worldwide, it offers a no-upfront-cost, no-minimum-order vinyl pressing option that puts control—and profits—back in the hands of independent artists. Think Bandcamp success but with vinyl, cutting out the usual headaches and wait times that kill momentum.
Artist Pro creators can join the waitlist now to start their vinyl journey. Once approved, you get to pick your tracks, upload artwork, and launch a web page where fans can order your record. ElasticStage handles pressing and shipping, and you get paid for every single sale. Finally, a lifeline for artists who actually want to make a living outside the streaming grind.
“Vinyl sales have surged over 300% since 2016, yet most independent artists have been excluded from this growth due to high manufacturing costs and logistical limitations,” states Eliah Seton, SoundCloud CEO. “At SoundCloud, we’re committed to helping artists thrive by providing new opportunities for connection and monetization. This partnership is another step toward ensuring that every artist—no matter where they are in their career—has the tools to build a sustainable career.”
Thanks to elasticStage’s print-on-demand magic, fans can buy physical copies instantly, and artists start earning from sale one—no more sinking cash into piles of unsold vinyl gathering dust. This on-demand setup means records are only pressed when ordered, so artists get paid every time without the risk of leftover stock. It’s a lean, artist-friendly way to bring music to life without the usual headaches.
“We created elasticStage’s on-demand vinyl technology to make physical music as accessible as streaming for artists and music fans everywhere, states Steve Rhodes, elasticStage CEO and Co-Founder. “Records have been bringing fans closer to their favourite artists for decades, but today’s modern music creators are now shut out of the vinyl market by high costs and outdated practices – our mission is to break down these barriers so musicians can sell vinyl with zero cost or risk. SoundCloud’s artist-centric platform is a perfect fit for us, and we’re thrilled to be collaborating with them to help independent artists connect with fans and build long-lasting music careers.”
SoundCloud starts by inviting users to create vinyl based on a few approval criteria, kicking off with current Artist Pro users in good standing.
ElasticStage handles all the processing, shipping, and customer service, covering over 90 countries worldwide — that definitely feels like a win for smaller artists who may not have the infrastructure in place to handle that.
Sounds great on paper, right? But as always, the devil’s in the grooves—or better yet, the details. How does this actually work behind the scenes? Let’s dig a little deeper and see what’s really going on.
When Will You Get Access to SoundCloud’s Vinyl Distribution?
First, you gotta sign up on the waitlist—because nothing says “exclusive” like waiting your turn while the big names get priority pressing. Patience, grasshopper.
SoundCloud will shoot you an email once vinyl distribution opens up for your account. Heads up—it might take a while before spots free up, so try not to lose your mind waiting.
Meanwhile, brush up on all the perks of the Artist Pro subscription ($99/year) because vinyl pressing is strictly limited to Artist Pro subscribers . No subscription, no vinyl—sorry, no shortcuts here.
Can You Turn Your Digital Release Into Vinyl? What You Need to Know
When you’re taking your album or project from digital platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube Music over to vinyl, there are a few key differences you can’t ignore. Trust me, it’s not just hitting “export” and calling it a day — vinyl has its own set of rules, and it’s starting to sound like dealing with record labels all over again.
Here’s what you need to keep in mind:
- Track list changes: Vinyl isn’t a digital playlist. You’ll hit limits on how many tracks and how long your album can be, so expect to trim or rearrange.
- Audio files: The sound on vinyl isn’t the same as streaming. When your vinyl release gets reviewed, they might ask for different masters to make sure it actually sounds good on that physical format.
- Artwork upgrade: That pixelated cover you used online? Forget it. Vinyl demands high-res artwork or your album cover will look like a bad Instagram filter when blown up to sleeve size.
- Legal headaches: Just like with labels, you have to disclose every sample, drum beat, or guest appearance you don’t own outright. Upload your licenses and paperwork — don’t try to sneak anything past, or you’ll regret it later.
The Bottom Line
Vinyl’s cool, but it’s not exactly a walk in the park. Prepare for a few extra hoops to jump through — this ain’t just digital distribution with a fancy turntable.
Bringing your digital release to vinyl through SoundCloud and elasticStage is a promising new option for independent artists craving physical media without the massive upfront costs and ridiculous wait times. The print-on-demand model means no inventory risk and you get paid per sale, which is a huge win.
But don’t kid yourself—vinyl still demands a lot more attention to detail. You’ll need to rethink your track list, invest in proper masters, and upgrade your artwork. Plus, the legal side isn’t a joke; clear your samples and rights or face headaches down the line. It’s not a simple upload and forget scenario.
In reality, this is a great step toward democratizing vinyl production, but it won’t magically replace the traditional pressing plants or erase the challenges of vinyl distribution overnight. For many indie artists, it could be a game-changer to finally get vinyl out without the usual barriers—but expect some growing pains as the process matures.
So yes, it’s a solid opportunity wrapped in some vinyl-shaped complexity. If you’re ready to play the long game and put in the work, this could be your shot. If not, well… maybe stick to playlists and streaming for now.
For more information: partner.soundcloud.com/elasticstage
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ORT
July 20, 2025 at 8:31 pm
It may come as something of a surprise (but probably more a sign of an impending crApocalypse that I am a lyricist of sorts. I keep trying to get one of my brothers to set my bestest song lyric to music but to date he merely laughs and says “No!”.
My brother that passed away last year said he if he was in Nashville he would shop it for me but he never got a chance to go there again. Alas, that I am unable to find and fulfill my…density.
Oh well. This endeavor of SoundCloud’s could well help others to do just that.
ORT
Anton
July 21, 2025 at 10:52 am
The concept behind this is very interesting, and unique from the perspective that they don’t have a base minimum as it pertains to volume.
Curious to know how the plant makes money that way.