# Custom beats in India: how to order one in 2026

> Custom beats in India are beats a producer makes only for you, from your brief, instead of a ready-made beat sold to many artists. You agree the style, deadline, files and price first. Check who owns the finished beat, and pay in stages where you can, so you only pay for work you have heard and approved.

Canonical: https://airtune.in/learn/guides/custom-beats-india/
Updated: 2026-11-08
Publisher: Airtune (https://airtune.in/?utm_source=learn&utm_medium=markdown&utm_campaign=custom-beats-india)

Custom beats in India are beats made to order. A producer builds a new beat only for your song, based on what you ask for. Unlike a ready-made beat, nobody else has heard it or licensed it. You get a sound that fits your voice, your lyrics and your plan for the release.

**In short**
- **A custom beat is made for you** from your brief, not picked from a store.
- **Agree ownership in writing,** because "custom" does not always mean you own it.
- **Pay in stages** where you can, and approve each part before the next.

## What is a custom beat?

A custom beat is an instrumental that a producer makes from scratch for one artist, based on that artist's brief. You tell the producer the mood, tempo, references and structure you want. They send you drafts, you give feedback, and they finish the beat to fit your song.

This is different from buying a ready-made beat on a marketplace. A ready-made beat already exists, and you buy a licence to use it. With a lease, other artists can use the same beat. With an exclusive licence, you are the only new buyer, but the beat was still made before you came along.

A custom beat suits you if you have a clear sound in mind or a song already written. It also helps when the beat must fit a set hook, verse length or sample idea. It also suits labels and brands that need music for a set brief.

| | Lease | Exclusive licence | Custom beat |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Made for you** | No | No | Yes |
| **Others can use it** | Yes | No new buyers after you | Depends on the agreement |
| **You shape the sound** | No | No | Yes, through your brief |
| **Speed** | Instant download | Instant download | Days, depending on the package |

## How much do custom beats cost?

Custom beats cost whatever you and the producer agree, and there is no standard rate in India. We have not found a reliable public survey of custom beat prices, so we will not quote a range. A custom beat usually costs more than a lease of a ready-made beat, because the producer spends time making something only for you.

For context, ready-made beats on Airtune have minimum licence prices. They are ₹499 for Easy MP3, ₹999 for Easy WAV, ₹1,999 for Easy Stems and ₹4,999 for Exclusive, or $14.99, $29.99, $49.99 and $99.99 in US dollars. Producers set their own prices above these. Custom work is priced separately by each producer.

Five things move the price of a custom beat: the producer's demand, your brief, the revisions, the files, and who will own the beat. Full ownership usually costs more than a licence to use it.

- **Producer demand:** busy producers charge more.
- **Revisions:** more included rounds, higher price.
- **Files:** stems and project files add value.
- **Ownership:** owning the beat outright usually costs more.

## Who owns a custom beat?

Who owns a custom beat depends on the agreement, not on the word "custom". In India, a transfer of copyright is called an assignment. Under section 19 of the Copyright Act, 1957, it is valid only in writing, signed by the person giving it. So if you want to own the beat, get that in writing before you pay.

On [Airtune artist services](https://airtune.in/explore/services?utm_source=learn&utm_medium=markdown&utm_campaign=custom-beats-india), each producer chooses one of two options for a service. With "work for hire", you own the accepted work once you have accepted it and paid in full. With "licence to buyer", the producer keeps ownership and you get a licence to use the beat.

Either way, you keep ownership of your own vocals, lyrics and the material you send. Producer credit is shown only if the producer sets a credit line. Talk about credit and royalty splits early too; our guide to the producer split sheet explains how.

> This is general information, not legal advice. For a big deal, ask a music lawyer.

## How do I hire a custom beat maker online?

You can hire a custom beat maker online through a marketplace, through direct messages on Instagram or YouTube, or through a friend's contact. The safest route puts the brief, price, deadline, revisions and ownership in writing. It also protects your money until you hear the work.

On Airtune, you can book a music production package at its listed price. Or you can use "Request custom work", if the producer has switched it on. With a custom request, you write a brief and set a budget, which must be at least the producer's minimum. The producer then replies with an offer you can accept.

After you pay, the producer has 72 hours to accept. Airtune holds your payment and releases it in milestones as you approve the work. Our page on [Airtune artist services](/learn/features/artist-services/) covers refunds and late delivery.

1. **Listen** to the producer's beats in your genre.
2. **Choose a package** or send a custom request with your budget.
3. **Answer the brief questions** (producers can ask up to 10).
4. **Review drafts** and use your revisions before approving.
5. **Accept the final files** and download everything.

## How do I write a brief for a custom beat?

A good brief for a custom beat tells the producer exactly what you want in words and examples. Start with two or three reference songs and say what you like in each. For example, the drums in one and the mood of another. Give the tempo (BPM) if you know it, the key if your vocals need it, and the length.

Then describe the song: what it is about, where the hook comes, and how long each verse is. Say what files you need back, such as WAV, stems for your mix engineer, or the project file.

Finally, say your deadline and how you will release it, for example on Spotify and JioSaavn with a YouTube video. A clear brief saves revisions and avoids arguments later. "Make it hard" is not a brief; "dark drill, 142 BPM, piano like this reference" is.

### Worked example: a custom beat paid in three stages

This example uses made-up numbers, for illustration only. You agree a custom beat for ₹6,000 with three milestones. They are 30% for a first idea, 40% for the full arrangement, and 30% for the final files. You pay ₹6,000 upfront, and Airtune holds it. You approve the idea and ₹1,800 is released. You approve the arrangement and ₹2,400 is released. You accept the final stems and the last ₹1,800 is released.

> **Watch out:** Once you approve a milestone, that share cannot be refunded. Use your revisions first.

## What should I check before paying for a custom beat?

Before you pay for a custom beat, check five things: the producer's past work, the written scope, the deadline, the revisions and the ownership. Most problems with custom beats come from things nobody wrote down, such as how many changes are free or whether you get the stems.

Be careful if someone asks for the full amount upfront by UPI, with no written terms. There is no easy way to get that money back. You have no protection at all if the beat is late or never arrives.

On Airtune artist services, the package lists deliverables, delivery days and included revisions before you book. You get a full refund if the producer does not accept the order, misses the deadline by more than 7 days, or abandons the project. If you cancel after the producer accepts, Airtune sets a kill fee of 10% to 100% for the producer.

- **Past work:** listen to beats in your genre first.
- **Scope in writing:** files, length, number of drafts.
- **Deadline:** a clear delivery date.
- **Revisions:** how many are included.
- **Ownership and credit:** work for hire or licence, and the credit line.

## Next steps

1. Not sure you need custom work? Compare it with a ready-made [exclusive beat](/learn/licensing/exclusive-beats/) or a cheaper [beat lease](/learn/licensing/lease-beats/).
2. Read how [Airtune artist services](/learn/features/artist-services/) protect your payment.
3. Browse music production packages on [Airtune artist services](https://airtune.in/explore/services?utm_source=learn&utm_medium=markdown&utm_campaign=custom-beats-india).

---

Hire a producer for mixing or a custom beat. Mixing, mastering, vocals, custom production and promotion from Airtune producers. https://airtune.in/explore/services?utm_source=learn&utm_medium=markdown&utm_campaign=custom-beats-india

## Sources

- [Airtune artist services (live listing page)](https://airtune.in/explore/services?utm_source=learn&utm_medium=markdown&utm_campaign=custom-beats-india) (checked 2026-11-08)
- [Airtune licensing page (licence types and minimum prices)](https://airtune.in/licensing?utm_source=learn&utm_medium=markdown&utm_campaign=custom-beats-india) (checked 2026-11-08)
- [The Copyright Act, 1957 (Copyright Office, Government of India)](https://ipindia.gov.in/storage/uploads/docs-operator/910cd3b9-98b0-4713-bbd8-db4d02f95d1c.pdf) (checked 2026-11-08)