Delivering a new release
This is a complete walk-through of the process of creating and uploading a release and submitting for distribution. The gist is to navigate to Assets > Albums > Actions > Create A New Release and follow the prompts.
(1) Preparing for your release
Getting your assets ready
Before uploading a release, first prepare all your files, including audio, images, album and song credits. Make sure to upload uncompressed audio files with minimum 16 bit, 44.1 kHz specs. Your artwork must be square and at least 1400x1400 pixels. Always upload the highest quality files possible.
Navigating to the upload wizard
To begin uploading a release in the portal, click “Assets” on the left, make sure you’re in the “Albums” tab, click “Actions” on the right, and click “Create new release.” You will be taken to the “Main info” tab of the upload wizard.
Please note that all uploads must be created under the “Albums” tab, including singles.
(2) Filling in the main info
Uploading artwork
Begin by uploading the original cover image that will identify the release across all platforms. Make sure your artwork meets the specifications listed in the portal.
If need be, you can upload placeholder art for delivery and send updated art to operations@independent.co. Please note any such updates will take 3-5 days to process.
Choosing the language
Choose the language will you be writing your titles, artist name(s) and release description for your content. This exclusively refers to the language of the metadata being entered, not the language of the song or lyrics.
Inputting your release title
In the title section, enter the name of the release, and specify the title version if necessary (such as “Acoustic,” “Stripped,” etc.).
You may also select to “+ Add a title in another language” directly under the title field. We recommend this especially if the title is in non-Latin characters, or your listeners will likely be searching for the release in other languages.
Inputting artists and contributors
Select whether the release is by a single artist, or is a compilation of various artists.
If the release is not a compilation of various artists, add the artist name. You may also add any artists who contributed on the album as a whole (features, remixers, primary artists, producers, etc.). As you begin typing, matching names from your existing catalog will appear, and you may select them.
If the release is a compilation of various artists, select this option and you will be asked to enter the artist information separately for each track on the next page.
Filling out the release info
Enter at least one genre in the corresponding field.
In the copyright fields, enter the year the rights were retained and the name of the copyright holder. (P) Copyright refers to ownership of the sound recording, while © Copyright refers to ownership of the music.
Select whether this album has been previously released. If it has been, you will need to enter the existing UPC/EAN/JAN code for the album. You may also provide the existing ISRC codes for each track on the following page. See our complete guide to transferring your catalogue here.
Click Next to confirm your entries and advance to the track information tab.
(3) Adding tracks and track info
Adding audio
Click “+ Upload a new track” to add new files for this release. Either click the “Audio file” text box or drag a file from your desktop to upload a new file.
If tracks have previously been uploaded in the “Tracks” tab of “Assets,” they may be selected to be included in this release.
Note: Select or drag only one file at a time for each track.
Choosing the language
Select the language of the lyrics in the performance. If there are no lyrics, select Instrumental.
Entering the track title
Enter the track title and accompanying title version such as “Bonus” or “Remaster” if relevant.
Click “+ Add a title in another language” to do so. We recommend this especially if the title is in non-Latin characters, or listeners will likely be searching for the release in another language.
Entering the track's artists and contributors
If you indicated a main artist in the "Main info" tab, they will be automatically added to each track. Click to add each additional artist or contributor featured.
If the release is a compilation of various artists, enter the Artist name.
Note: All artist names and contributors entered in this section will appear in metadata, and do not affect publishing details.
Adding or generating ISRC codes
Select whether the release already has an ISRC code assigned to it. If the music has not been previously released, Independent can generate ISRC codes for you.
Note: ISRC stands for “International Standard Recording Code” and is a system for identifying sound recordings and music videos. It “provides the means to automatically identify recordings for royalty payments.” This is also the code used to report plays for Nielsen SoundScan, the UK Official Charts and other charting organizations.
Marking a track as explicit
Select whether the track has explicit lyrics or does not. Click 'yes' if your song contains one or more of the following:
anything unsuitable for children
strong language
references to violence or abuse
sexual content
anything that might be regarded as racist, homophobic, discriminatory, or misogynistic
anything that encourages or celebrates criminal behavior
Defining your track
Select whether this is an original song or a performance of a song in the public domain. The relevant publishing information required will be entered on the next page.
Additional track info
Edit the genre or copyright information for this song if it is different than the album.
Choose the starting point, written in seconds, that you would like a short preview on some download services (including TikTok) to begin. For example, if you would like the preview to begin 1 minute and 20 seconds into the track, enter “80.”
Expand the Lyrics section to optionally enter the lyrics to the song.
Reviewing your uploads
Once you have uploaded all the files that will be included in this release, confirm that the track order is correct. If you would like to rearrange the order, you may do so by simply dragging the track title to the correct position on the list.
Click next to confirm your changes and advance to the Publishing Information tab.
(4) Adding publishing info
To add publishing information for each song, click the title of the track to be edited, and then complete the following steps. Please note that publishing splits are different from master splits, which you can enter at splits.independent.co.
Adding contributors and roles
Enter the full name of a writer of the song. As the text is entered, matching names from existing assets will appear and may be selected. If there is more than one writer, you may repeat this process as many times as necessary.
Select the role of the current writer. The options are:
Arranger
Composer
Writer
Writer-Composer
Enter the percentage share of the publishing rights the writer is entitled to. This will be used within Revelator for further accounting and earnings reports.
Defining publishing type
Select the publishing type. The options are:
Copyright control (self-published)
Public domain (no publisher)
Published (managed by a publisher). In this case, enter the name of the publisher.
Adding more contributors
Click “+ Add another writer” for each additional writer with a percentage share of publishing.
Note: The Share percentage must add up to 100% for all writers included on each track.
Saving and continuing
Click Save to confirm all entries and return to the Publishing Information tab. Repeat this step for all available tracks as necessary.
When all tracks have publishing information completed, click Next to continue on to Review & Save the release.
(5) Reviewing and saving the release
This is the last step before a release where all included track uploads are saved to Streamz. Make sure to:
Review the information that has been entered for all tracks within this release.
Correct any errors in track information and save all changes.
Click Approve to save the release.
(6) Distributing your release
Click "Distribute your release" to start the process of delivering your release to streaming platforms. Then click "Distribute now."
Setting a release date
To select your release date choose one of the following options;
As soon as possible
On a specific date
Release dates schedule less than 7 days our cannot be guaranteed. Additionally, we suggest scheduling releases over 4 weeks out to ensure playlist programming potential.
You can choose a time and timezone to schedule a Global Release. A Global Release will go live on Spotify at the same time worldwide. If left blank the release will go up at midnight relative to local timezones (this is the standard practice).
Note: If you choose "As soon as possible" we will deliver to DSP's within 48 hours (excluding weekends). All DSP's have different policies so expect some to go live in hours and some to take up to 7 days
Choosing your territories
Click "yes" to distribute worldwide.
Click "no" to distribute to specific territories. If you select "no" then choose "Distribute only in" or "Distribute everywhere except" and then enter the pertinent country names.
Choosing streaming platforms
To deliver to all platforms click "Select all".
To deliver only to specific platforms click the platforms you would like your release delivered to.
If you choose to modify the track price for iTunes click the dropdown and select a price tier.
Note: You can set custom pricing, but note that by default, stores are picking the best prices to maximize your revenue.
Selecting a monetization policy
You can select your monetization policy for Facebook/Instagram and Youtube.
Click the checkbox next to "Facebook Rights Manager" to deliver to to Facebook Rights Managers. From the "Select a policy" dropdown choose "Claim Ad Earnings" to monetize 3rd party uploads of your release on Facebook and Instagram. Choose "Monitor" if you would like to monitor usage but would not like to monetize.
Click the checkbox next to "Youtube Content ID" to deliver to to Youtube Content ID. From the "Select a policy" dropdown choose "Monetize in all counties" to monetize 3rd party uploads of your release on Youtube. Choose "Track in all countries" if you would like to monitor usage but would not like to monetize.
Setting a pre-order date
Choose a date to set a pre-order on Amazon, Google Play, and iTunes.
Your Pre-order start date must be at least 1 day before your release date. Please note that your pre-order can only begin once the service approves your release; approval can take up to a week.
Submitting your release for distribution
Once you have reviewed all your entries click "Send".
Your release will be submitted to the team for review. If any potential errors are spotted you will receive an email requesting that you log in to your portal and correct the error. If there are no errors, you release will be submitted to DSP's within 48 hours.
If you have any addition questions on the process please contact us at operations@independent.co
Thank you!