Monstercat, a prominent independent electronic music label, has established various avenues for fans and content creators to access music and promotional items at no cost. These initiatives range from royalty-free tracks for streamers to limited-time event freebies and contest prizes. The label’s approach caters to a diverse audience, including Twitch streamers, music producers, and dedicated community members seeking exclusive merchandise and experiences.
A significant portion of Monstercat’s free offerings is directed toward content creators, specifically those streaming on platforms like Twitch. Source [1] outlines a subscription model for accessing Monstercat’s catalog, noting that for $5 per month, users gain access to thousands of DMCA-free songs for their soundtracks. However, the source also highlights several free alternatives for those on a budget. These include StreamBeats, a platform founded by streamer Harris Heller, which offers thousands of royalty-free tracks across 15 genres, and NCS (NoCopyrightSounds), a record label providing a free catalog of over 1,500 electronic dance music songs. Additionally, the source mentions royalty-free YouTube channels such as Comfi Beats, Chillhop Music, and GameChops, which allow usage as long as credit is given. Source [1] explicitly warns that playing music from streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music on Twitch can lead to copyright violations.
In celebration of its 11th anniversary, Monstercat launched "Monstercat Presents: 1-For-1," a virtual game show featuring 11 distinct challenges with various prizes. Source [2] details that the event ran through July 1st, with winners announced during a livestream on Monstercat’s Twitch channel. The challenges offered diverse ways to participate and win rewards.
One specific challenge mentioned in Source [2] was the "Best Artist Cosplay" contest. Participants were asked to create cosplays of Monstercat artists, judged on accuracy and creativity. The prize for this challenge was a "golden ticket" valid for all Monstercat-branded events until December 31st, 2023.
Another challenge involved a meetup in Los Angeles. Source [2] reports that Monstercat organized a special event at The Grove in Los Angeles near the big water fountain. Attendees could find a Monstercat Plushie and the Community Manager, Dylan. The prize for participating in this meetup included various Monstercat Shop goodies with an approximate value of $10 to $30, along with the opportunity to meet community members. To participate, fans in the LA area were instructed to sign up for SMS updates by texting a specific number to receive location details on the day of the event, which took place on June 30th at 5pm PT.
A third challenge detailed in Source [2] focused on digital creativity, specifically Photoshop skills. Participants were asked to edit a selected image in any manner they saw fit. The prize for this contest was a customized piece of framed artwork depicting the winner animated with Monstercat, valued at approximately $200. Submissions for this specific challenge were accepted until July 1st at 12pm PT.
Beyond the anniversary events, Monstercat frequently releases free music downloads. Source [3] highlights a specific track by Pegboard Nerds titled "BADBOI," which was offered as a free download. The track is described as featuring trap-styled percussion and reggae influences. This release was promoted in connection with the artists' upcoming "Uncaged Tour."
The label also highlights the work of individual artists associated with its sublabels. Source [4] features an interview with Aether, a Scotland-based producer on Monstercat’s Silk sublabel. While the primary focus is on his production process and how he navigates music creation as a registered blind producer, the source mentions that Aether utilizes both high-end and free plugins. The interview provides insight into his single "Sapphire" and his reliance on auditory skills due to Retinitis Pigmentosa.
Finally, Source [5] references a fan-created mashup of every Monstercat song released in 2018, compiled into a 10-minute mix. While not an official Monstercat freebie, it demonstrates the community's engagement with the label's extensive catalog.
Conclusion
Monstercat provides a variety of free offerings, primarily centered around royalty-free music for content creators and promotional contests for its community. The label’s "1-For-1" anniversary event offered tangible prizes such as event tickets and merchandise, while ongoing music releases like Pegboard Nerds' "BADBOI" provide free downloads for fans. For streamers, Monstercat’s ecosystem includes both subscription-based access and recommendations for entirely free platforms like StreamBeats and NCS to avoid copyright issues on Twitch.