---
title: "How to Cover a Song: Complete Guide to Recording & Releasing Covers (2026)"
date: "2025-12-15"
lastUpdated: "2026-01-07"
author: "StemSplit Team"
tags: ["cover songs", "recording", "music production", "tutorial", "licensing"]
excerpt: "Want to record a cover song? This step-by-step guide walks you through everything from choosing the right song to recording, licensing, and distributing your cover on streaming platforms."
abstract: "Recording a cover song is one of the best ways to develop your skills, build an audience, and enjoy making music. Here's everything you need to know to do it right."
locale: "en"
canonical: "https://stemsplit.io/blog/how-to-cover-a-song"
source: "stemsplit.io"
---

> **Source:** https://stemsplit.io/blog/how-to-cover-a-song  
> Originally published by [StemSplit](https://stemsplit.io). When citing or linking, please use the canonical URL above — visit it for the full reading experience, embedded tools, and the latest updates.

Recording a cover song is one of the best ways to develop your skills, build an audience, and enjoy making music. Here's everything you need to know to do it right.

## Step 1: Choose the Right Song

Not every song makes a good cover. Consider these factors:

### Songs That Make Great Covers

| What to Look For | Why It Works |
| ---------------- | ------------ |
| Strong melody | Translates across genres/styles |
| Emotional connection | You'll perform it better |
| Room for interpretation | Can make it your own |
| Audience recognition | Built-in interest |
| Fits your voice/style | Authentic performance |

### Songs to Avoid

| What to Avoid | Why |
| ------------- | --- |
| Overly complex productions | Hard to match quality |
| Perfect vocal performances | Comparison is tough |
| Very recent hits | Saturated market |
| Songs you don't genuinely like | Shows in performance |

### The "Twist" Test

Ask yourself: **What would I do differently?**

If you can't answer, maybe choose a different song. The best covers bring something new:
- Different genre (acoustic punk, metal ballad)
- Different tempo (slow fast song, upbeat sad song)
- Different arrangement (stripped down, fully orchestrated)
- Different emotional angle (angry becomes sad, etc.)

---

**Need instrumental tracks?** [StemSplit](/vocal-remover) can extract instrumentals from any song — perfect for practice or creating backing tracks for your cover.

[Create Backing Tracks →](/vocal-remover)

---

## Step 2: Create Your Arrangement

### Start with the Structure

Map out the original song:
- Intro → Verse → Chorus → Verse → Chorus → Bridge → Chorus → Outro
- Note key changes, tempo changes, dynamics

### Decide What to Change

Consider modifying:
- **Key**: Match your vocal range
- **Tempo**: Faster for energy, slower for emotion
- **Instrumentation**: Acoustic guitar? Full band? Electronic?
- **Structure**: Cut unnecessary sections, extend others

### Work Out the Chords

Resources for finding chords:
- Ultimate Guitar (ultimate-guitar.com)
- Chordify (auto-generates chords)
- Songsterr (tabs with playback)
- Your own ears (best for accuracy)

### Create a Demo

Before full recording:
1. Record a rough version on your phone
2. Listen critically
3. Identify what works and what doesn't
4. Refine arrangement

## Step 3: Get Instrumental/Backing Tracks

### Option A: Play Everything Yourself

Most authentic approach:
- Record each instrument separately
- Build arrangement from scratch
- Complete creative control

### Option B: Use the Original (Karaoke/Instrumental)

Search for existing instrumentals:
- Karaoke versions (quality varies)
- Official instrumental releases (rare)
- YouTube karaoke channels

### Option C: Extract Instrumentals with AI

Use [StemSplit](/vocal-remover) to create instrumentals:
1. Upload the original song
2. Remove vocals
3. Use the instrumental as backing

**Important**: Using extracted instrumentals still requires licensing for distribution. The composition copyright remains.

### Option D: Hire Musicians

Session musicians can:
- Create professional arrangements
- Play parts you can't
- Elevate production quality

Platforms: Fiverr, SoundBetter, local musicians

## Step 4: Recording

### Basic Home Recording Setup

| Equipment | Budget Option | Better Option |
| --------- | ------------- | ------------- |
| Microphone | AT2020 ($100) | SM7B ($400) |
| Interface | Focusrite Solo ($100) | Scarlett 2i2 ($170) |
| DAW | GarageBand (free) | Logic/Ableton ($200-500) |
| Headphones | ATH-M20x ($50) | ATH-M50x ($150) |
| Pop filter | Basic foam ($10) | Metal pop filter ($30) |

### Recording Tips

**Vocal Recording:**
- Record in a quiet space
- Hang blankets to reduce reverb
- Position 6-12 inches from mic
- Record multiple takes
- Comp (combine) the best parts

**Instrument Recording:**
- DI for guitar/bass (use amp sims)
- Acoustic: room sound matters
- MIDI for drums/keys if needed

### Production Basics

1. **Edit**: Tune vocals, tighten timing
2. **Mix**: Balance levels, EQ, compression
3. **Master**: Final polish, loudness

If mixing isn't your skill, hire a mixing engineer ($50-200 for a single).

## Step 5: Get Licensed

Before distribution, you need a **mechanical license**.

### Easiest Method: Through Your Distributor

Most distributors offer cover licensing:
- **DistroKid**: Cover song licensing built-in
- **CD Baby**: Cover song licensing service
- **TuneCore**: Similar offering

Cost: $15-20 per song + ongoing royalties

### Alternative: Direct Licensing

- Harry Fox Agency (songfile.com)
- Easy Song Licensing
- Loudr

### What You Need to Provide

- Song title
- Original songwriter(s)
- Publisher (if known)
- Your release details

## Step 6: Distribute

### Where to Distribute

Through aggregators, your cover reaches:
- Spotify
- Apple Music
- Amazon Music
- YouTube Music
- Tidal
- Deezer
- 100+ other platforms

### Distribution Services

| Service | Cost | Cover Licensing? |
| ------- | ---- | ---------------- |
| DistroKid | $20/year | Yes (extra fee) |
| CD Baby | $10-15/song | Yes (extra fee) |
| TuneCore | $10-15/song | Yes (extra fee) |
| Amuse | Free tier | Yes (extra fee) |

### What to Include

- Properly credited songwriters
- Cover artwork (don't use original album art)
- Your artist name
- Release date

## Step 7: Promote

### On Release Day

- Post to social media
- Share behind-the-scenes content
- Email your list (if you have one)
- Submit to Spotify playlists

### Ongoing Promotion

- Create video content (TikTok, YouTube, Instagram Reels)
- Perform it live
- Collaborate with other artists
- Engage with fans of the original

### Leverage the Original Artist

- Tag them in posts (they might share!)
- Use relevant hashtags
- Join fan communities

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

### Don't Copy Exactly

A note-for-note recreation is:
- Hard to match quality
- Doesn't showcase your artistry
- Forgettable

### Don't Change Too Much

If it's unrecognizable, what's the point? Keep the essence.

### Don't Ignore Licensing

Getting caught without a license can mean:
- Takedowns
- Lost revenue
- Potential legal issues

### Don't Use Original's Album Art

Create your own artwork. Using the original's art is trademark infringement.

### Don't Rush the Mix

Bad production undermines great performance. Take time or hire help.

## Cover Song Ideas by Strategy

### For Building an Audience

Cover trending songs:
- Current hits (fast turnaround needed)
- Viral TikTok songs
- Songs blowing up in your niche

### For Showcasing Skills

Cover challenging songs:
- Vocally demanding songs
- Instrumentally complex pieces
- Songs that let you show off

### For Standing Out

Cover unexpected songs:
- Genre-flip (metal version of pop, acoustic version of EDM)
- Older songs new audiences don't know
- Deep cuts from famous artists

### For SEO/Discovery

Cover high-search-volume songs:
- Classic rock standards
- Wedding songs
- Karaoke favorites

## FAQ

### How much does it cost to release a cover?

Roughly $30-50 total:
- Distribution: $10-20
- Licensing: $15-20
- Additional royalties per stream

### Can I release a cover on Spotify?

Yes! Use a distributor with cover licensing. Your cover goes through like any other release.

### How long does licensing take?

Usually instant to a few days through major distributors. Direct licensing takes 1-2 weeks.

### Can I make money from covers?

Yes, but expect lower margins. Royalties to original songwriters are deducted from your earnings.

### Should I release covers or originals?

Both have value:
- Covers: Build audience, practice recording
- Originals: Higher earning potential, artist identity

Many successful artists mix both.

### How do I know if my cover is "different enough"?

If you can imagine it standing alone as a compelling recording, it's different enough. If it only makes sense as "X song by Y artist," add more of yourself.

## The Bottom Line

Recording covers is a great way to develop as an artist, connect with audiences, and make music you love. Follow this process:

1. Choose a song you can make your own
2. Create a distinctive arrangement
3. Record with the best quality you can manage
4. Get properly licensed
5. Distribute and promote

The infrastructure for releasing covers has never been easier. Don't let the process intimidate you — just start.

---

## Create Professional Backing Tracks

Extract instrumentals from any song.

- ✅ Remove vocals for karaoke-style tracks
- ✅ Practice singing without the original voice
- ✅ Create demos before full production
- ✅ Works with any song

[Try StemSplit →](/vocal-remover)

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