What is the difference between a major record label and an indie record label.?

Answer 1

Major record labels probably have more money, and with more money, means more artists could be signed up with that record label than they would with an indie record label. Usually, with indie record labels, you don't hear the artists as much as you would with major ones, and so it's probably cheaper, but low-key.

The major ones have those really famous people. The indie ones don't. The major ones can own indie ones, but indie labels can't own major labels. But there can be a record label under an indie record label...like the Clandestine Records under Fueled By Ramen...but the artists who are signed up for Clandestine Records are signed up for FBR.

Some examples of major ones are the Island Records, Wind Up, and Warner Bros. You'd hear more artists signed up there because it's so big.

You can read it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_record_label

Answer 2

The difference between a major an independent label is obviously money resource. However a major difference is that when an artist sign with an "indie" label they keep either all or a portion of the rights to their music. As to a major label were an artist will sign up to 80%, and give up creative control and rights to the label. Though the first part does not pertain to all indie labels. Some have just as much resource and money as majors such as: Fueled by Ramen, and Drive Thru.

There are a vast number of differences but this is probably the most important.

Answer 3

Simply put, major labels are like corporations that have a ton of money and whose sole goal is to sell the artist. Indie labels are like mom & pop businesses that are pretty lo-fi and don't have much of a budget but encourage artists to follow their heart and passion. If an artist wants to make millions, they aim for a major label. If they just want their music heard and just want to do what they love, they aim for an indie label. Indie labels have much more respect because they respect the artist more and often sign artists that make eccentric/abstract music that wouldn't be heard otherwise. Major labels often have deals in place with radio and MTV/VH1, album distributors, magazines, and advertisers. They run the business as a money-making scheme basically. Indie labels usually do most of their stuff on their own until they start getting bigger and more popular and have the opportunities that major labels have.

Answer 4

The major difference is money and pulling power, the major labels always have the backing of big business and only sign artists with a good track record whereas indie labels sign new bands hoping they will make it big...

Answer 5

The capacity for distribution and marketing divided by what your actual earning will be on each unit sold. Lemmebreakitdown for you right quick.

Major: 1,000,000 units sold. THE LABEL GETS PAID FIRST! They MUST recoup before the artists sees dime one! The labels take a significantly larger cut of the artists cut per unit. Up to 75 -85% sometimes. See Industry Rule #4080.

Indie: Also called, white labels, they usually have less distribution capacity than majors. Main difference is that the indie typically gets a WAY higher percentage of the purchase price per unit, so they need to sell less to recoup to the label and have the same commercial success as their major label affiliated peers. The key is the marketing and quality of distribution in both cases.

Answer 6

A major has the resources to promote and sell your music to the world. An independent only sales a few hundred mile radius.