How to Buy Beats Online (and Actually Know What You’re Doing)

July 9, 2025

Buying beats online seems simple, until you actually try to do it right.

Between free downloads, leases, and exclusive rights, it gets confusing fast.

Let's say you find a dope instrumental on YouTube, freestyle over it, your friends are vibing - next thing you know, you're thinking about dropping a song.

But wait…

Is it free? Do you need a license? What's a lease? And what’s the difference between “MP3 lease” and “Premium with track-outs”?

If you’ve ever asked any of that, - don't worry, I got you.

I’ve been producing and selling beats online for years, I want to break it all down - simply and clearly - so you can buy beats online with confidence and avoid making some rookie mistakes.

Let’s get into it. 👊

What Are You Actually Buying When You Buy a Beat?

Let’s get this straight right away: when you buy a beat, you’re not buying the beat itself.

You’re buying a license - which gives you certain rights to use that beat in a song.

The producer (me, or someone else) still owns the copyright. They created the beat - so they keep ownership.

But when you buy a license, you're legally allowed to record over it and use it in your own music, based on the terms of that license.

Think of it like renting an apartment. You don’t own the place, but you’ve got permission to live there, decorate it, and invite people over - as long as you follow the lease agreement.

Same with beats.

Free Beats vs Licensed Beats: What’s the Real Difference?

Free beats usually have a producer tag on them (you know, “Yo, that's me your new producer on the beat!” every 15 seconds).

They're cool for demos, practice, or posting short clips on social media - but legally, you can't monetize music made with a free beat unless the producer explicitly gave you permission.

Let’s say it clearly:

No license = no right to publish, monetize, or distribute your song.

So if you're uploading music with a free beat to YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, etc., and trying to profit - you're putting yourself (and the song) at risk.

The producer can issue a takedown, copyright strike, or worse.

That’s why licensing matters.

Types of Beat Licenses (Non-Exclusive vs Exclusive)

There are two main types of licenses when it comes to buying beats online:

Non-Exclusive Licenses (aka leases)

This is the most common type. You’re allowed to use the beat, but so are other artists. The same beat can be sold to multiple people - and everyone gets their own license.

Most online producers (including me) offer multiple tiers of non-exclusive licenses, such as:

MP3 License – basic, low-cost, limited rights, only an MP3 file.
WAV License / Basic / Standard – includes higher-quality WAV file, more usage rights.
Premium License – comes with tracked-out stems, more streams allowed, performance rights.
Unlimited License – no usage limits, full tracked-out stems, highest flexibility (without being exclusive).

Exclusive Licenses

This is a one-time sale. Once it's sold, the beat is removed from the store (or has sold mark and can't be bought) and no one else can license it again. You and the producer both own the song’s publishing (usually 50/50). The exclusive license usually costs more, but gives you full freedom to build your song without worrying about who else is using the beat.

Tracked-Out Stems Explained

Tracked-out files (also called stems) are individual audio layers of the beat. Kick, snare, hi-hats, melody, bass - all separate.

These are critical if you're serious about mixing your song properly. They give you or your engineer full control to mix vocals into the beat, tweak levels, EQ individual elements, and make the track sound polished.

If you buy only the MP3 OR Wav version of the beat, you’re stuck with the producer’s full mix - no way to adjust anything.

That’s why I always recommend Premium or Unlimited licenses (which come with stems) if you care about making high quality music.

What License Should You Buy?

Here's my honest take:

If you're testing ideas, or on a tight budget: go for a basic MP3 or WAV license.
If you're releasing music seriously (Spotify, videos, shows): you need at least a Premium License with tracked-out stems.
If you're planning a big release or want full control: consider Exclusive Rights, if they’re available.

Keep in mind: even if you buy the cheapest license, you can usually upgrade later (at least on my site). You just pay the difference - no need to rebuy everything.

I do offer this because I know what it’s like when you’re just getting started and can’t drop cash right away.

What Happens If Someone Buys Exclusive Rights After You Bought a Lease?

Don’t panic. Your lease is still valid until it expires - usually 5-10 years depending on the license.

If someone buys exclusive rights after you bought a non-exclusive license, they won’t “overwrite” your license. But when your license ends, you might not be able to renew it — especially if the beat is no longer available.

That’s why it's important to:

Read the license agreement carefully, including expiration terms.
Buy a higher-tier license if you expect the song to live long-term.

I also encourage you to always read the agreement - no matter who you're buying beats from.

Where Should You Buy Beats From

There are a lot of platforms and producers out there. Stick with sellers who:

Have a beat store powered by BeatStars, Airbit or Soundee (I use Soundee).
Use secure payments like PayPal or Stripe.
Offer instant delivery (as soon as you buy, you get your files and license).
Clearly show their license terms — no hidden rules or sketchy fine print.
Allow you to upgrade your license if needed.

If you're not sure, reach out and ask. A serious producer will answer your questions - or at least have a FAQ page where things are explained.

And yeah, you can check out my beats for sale here if you want to browse high quality rap beats, trap instrumentals, and more. I’ve got full licensing info right on the site.

What If Your Song Blows Up With a Leased Beat?

Let’s say you buy a non-exclusive license, drop a song, and it takes off.

What now?

First - congrats. 🎉

Second - you’re fine (as long as you're still within your license limits).

Example: If your Premium License allows 500,000 streams and you hit 600K, you’ll need to upgrade your license or renegotiate with the producer.

If you’re worried about what happens next, the best advice is:

Buy a higher-tier license early to avoid issues.
Track your streams and usage, so you know when you’re getting close to the limits.
Reach out to the producer if you’re blowing past the numbers - chances are, they’ll be happy to work something out.

I personally offer flexible options for artists I work with, because I know success doesn't always show up when you expect it.

Can You Get in Trouble for Using a Beat Without a License?

Short answer: yes.

Even if the beat didn’t have tags… even if it said “free download”… even if you didn’t think it mattered - using a beat without a license means you’re using someone’s copyrighted work without permission.

That can result in:

Your song getting taken down (from YouTube, Spotify, etc.).
Losing monetization.
Legal issues (in extreme cases).

So just play it safe. If the beat moves you and you want to release music with it - license it properly. Support the producer. Build the relationship. And protect your song in the process.

If you don't have a budget to pruchase a license, record your song on the free version nad send it to the producer. You never know - some producers (me included) might be open to working out a deal if they like what they hear.

Final Tips Before You Buy Beats Online

Here’s a quick checklist before you hit that “Buy Now” button:

Make sure the beat is still available.
Check the license terms (usage, expiration, rights).
Choose the license tier that fits your goals.
Look for track-outs if you want pro-quality mix.
Buy from reputable producers using trusted platforms.
Save your license + files - they’re your proof of rights.

And remember… A beat is only the beginning. What you do with it is where the magic happens.

Want Beats Ready to Go?

If you're ready to find the perfect beat you can browse my full beat catalog here - trap beats, rap beats, high quality instrumentals. Let’s bring your next track to life.

Whether you’re just getting started or already dropping full projects, I’ve got the sound, structure, and flexibility to help you build something real.

Let’s get to work.

Baxon