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Release preparation checklist

Getting these things right before you submit prevents rejections, stream count resets, and the kind of metadata errors that cost real money to fix after the fact.

Master Audio

Accepted formats: WAV (recommended), FLAC, AIFF. MP3 is accepted by most distributors but lossless formats are strongly preferred.

  • Bit depth: 16-bit minimum, 24-bit preferred
  • Sample rate: 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz
  • File size limit: 50 MB per file on BeatCheck
  • Must be the final mastered version — distributors do not accept demos, rough mixes, or unmastered files
If your WAV file exceeds 50 MB, export as FLAC instead. FLAC is lossless and typically 30–50% smaller with no quality loss. Tracks over 5 minutes in WAV commonly exceed the limit.

Cover Art

Minimum dimensions: 3000×3000 pixels (square).

  • Format: JPG or PNG, RGB colour space
  • Maximum file size: 10 MB
  • Must be exactly square — DSPs reject non-square artwork
Common rejection reasons across DSPs: pixelated or blurry images, screenshots of a phone or computer, URLs or social media handles in the artwork, misleading imagery, explicit content without an advisory label. These will get your release rejected — sometimes weeks after submission.

Release Metadata

  • Title:Use title case. Don't include “Official”, “Lyric Video”, or version info unless it's genuinely a remix or deluxe edition.
  • Artist name: Must be consistent across all your releases and match your distributor profile exactly. Inconsistencies create separate artist pages on streaming platforms.
  • Release date: Most DSPs need 7–14 days lead time minimum. Spotify specifically recommends 28 days for editorial playlist consideration. Shorter lead times mean no editorial consideration.
  • Genre:Pick the most accurate primary genre. This directly affects algorithmic placement and which playlists you're eligible for.
  • Language: The language of the lyrics, not the artist's native language.

Credits & Splits

Pro feature

Credits determine who gets paid when streaming royalties are distributed. Getting them wrong costs money and can damage working relationships.

  • Songwriter: who wrote the lyrics and melody
  • Producer: who created the instrumental or beat
  • Featured artists: anyone credited on the track title (e.g. “feat. Artist Name”)

Common split conventions (there are no rules, only norms): a sole writer/producer typically takes 100%, co-written tracks often split 50/50, a producer and a writer might split 50/50 or agree by contribution.

Full credits and splits management is available on the BeatCheck Pro plan. Upgrade to Pro →

ISRC & UPC Codes

  • ISRC (International Standard Recording Code): a unique 12-character code per recording (format: XX-XXX-YY-NNNNN). Your distributor usually assigns these automatically. If you've self-registered with your local ISRC agency, enter your own.
  • UPC/EAN: a barcode for the overall release (album, EP, or single). Also usually assigned by your distributor.
Never reuse an ISRC from a previous release or distribution. Reusing an ISRC resets stream counts and breaks chart tracking. This is one of the most common and costly mistakes in independent music distribution.
If you don't have codes yet, leave these fields blank — your distributor will assign them. BeatCheck will flag any format errors in the compliance check.
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