Releasing music: The complete 2026 release checklist
Your song is finished, but nobody told you what to do next. GEMA or not? What's an ISRC, who needs a label code, which music distributor is right for you, and why did Apple reject your cover art? These are exactly the questions a customer asked us after her first release. That's why we've created this guide to releasing music: all the steps in the correct order, briefly explained, with links to the relevant websites. Plus, an interactive checklist that shows only the tasks relevant to your release. Whether you're recording in a studio or at home: once the mix is finished, the following applies... Music Production, online mastering and publication follow the same rules.
Table of Contents
- What you really need
- The interactive checklist
- Three roles, three registers
- Codes: ISRC, EAN, Label code
- To really finish the song
- Choose music distributor
- Metadata and cover
- CD and vinyl
- Schedule until release Friday
- After the release
- Technical terms explained briefly
- Conclusion
- Frequently asked questions
What do you really need to release music?
Symbolic image, AI-generated illustration: the moment when the list is completely checked off.
For a digital release, you primarily need three things: a finished master, a square cover, and a music distributor to whom you can upload your music and deliver it to Spotify, Apple Music, and other platforms. The distributor will provide ISRC and EAN codes free of charge. GEMA, GVL, and label codes, on the other hand, are not prerequisites for releasing music, but rather registries that will generate revenue for you later. Everything else is therefore a matter of preparation, scheduling, and follow-up work.
In short, if you want to release music: clear the rights before you upload. Understand the codes and registrations before you sign up anywhere. Then choose a distributor, enter the metadata correctly, and finally plan the schedule backward from the release day. Physical formats like CDs and vinyl are a separate issue. And after the release, the real work with notifications, lyrics, and accounting only just begins.
- Needed: Master, cover, distributor, ISRC and EAN (come from the distributor), ℗ and © lines, clean metadata.
- Recommended: GVL contract (free), check artist names, splits in writing, claim profiles on Spotify and Apple, pitch seven days in advance.
- Optional: GEMA membership, label code, own ISRC key, Canvas, pre-save, label pitch.
Your interactive release checklist
Everything explained in this guide can be tailored directly to your release, whether you're releasing music for the first time or the tenth. Five short questions, and then you'll see only the tasks that matter to you, in the correct order, marked as "Required," "Recommended," or "Optional," along with the appropriate registration link and a link to further information below.
How to use it:
- Answer questions: Song or album, where your own music will be released, your roles, your path with or without a label. Anything that doesn't fit you is then filtered out by the checklist.
- Start with the next step: At the top, there is always exactly one task, along with the reason behind it and a link to complete it. Marking it as "Completed" brings the next task to the forefront.
- Check off phases: Below are all tasks sorted by phase, from rights management to the period after release. Each completed phase is marked with a checkmark.
- Enter release date (optional): Then, for time-critical tasks, the list calculates the latest date by which you should have completed them.
- Save or save as PDF: Enable saving to your device if you want to continue later, or download the list as a PDF with clickable links with one click.
Everything runs in your browser. Data is only saved if you enable it, and then only locally, without an account and without being transmitted to us. Mark tasks that don't apply to you with "Not applicable"; you can resume them at any time.
A · Clarify rights before you upload anything
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First, write down who has what share in the song.
Because GEMA later requires exact percentage shares from all parties involved. A split sheet is a single sheet containing the title, names, shares of lyrics and music, date, and signatures.
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Also, clarify within the band who owns the name, recording rights, and revenue.
Without an agreement, every exit will lead to conflict. This agreement should regulate the band name, master rights, costs, revenue, social media accounts, and the exit process.
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Read your Beat license: What is allowed, how many streams, exclusive or not?
"Exclusive" rarely means full rights acquisition; the producer usually retains their share of the copyright. Check stream limits, Content ID, samples in the beat, and credit requirements.
Have a beat produced (Peak-Studios)
We offer: Upon request, we will produce an instrumental track exclusively for your song. It will not be resold, and you won't have to share any licensing terms with others. Custom productions start at €750. More about beat production
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Clarify any foreign sample: master and composition rights or replay.
There's no "less than five seconds is free" rule in Germany. You need permission from the copyright holder of the recording and the publisher, or you have to replay the sample. This is standard practice, not legal advice for any specific case.
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Check whether your cover remains a cover or is an edit.
An unaltered new recording is handled through GEMA and distribution. As soon as you change the lyrics, melody, or translation, you need the permission of the rights holders. Ask your distributor how they license cover songs.
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Next, check your artist name: trademark register, Spotify, social media handles, domain.
Because rebranding after you've released music for the first time costs you fans and money. Searching the trademark register is free; registering your own trademark costs from €290 (as of September 25, 2026).
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Note where AI was involved: Vocals, Instrumental, Cover.
Spotify queries distributors about AI content, Deezer detects it automatically, and Bandcamp rejects AI-generated music. Those who have noted this information can report it clearly.
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Also, clarify who owns the recording: the studio, the producer, or you.
The song and the recording are two separate rights. The ℗ line in the distribution requires the owner of the recording.
B · Finish the song
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First, complete the mix and then check it against the mastering checklist.
Mastering can't fix mixing errors, and anyone who wants to release music needs a clean foundation: headroom, no limiters on the master bus, and clean exports.
Preparing the mix for mastering (Peak-Studios)
We offer: If you're unsure whether your mix is ready for mastering, we'll listen to it and tell you in writing what's still missing: levels, balance, bass, stereo image. Mix analysis starts at €25. More about mix analysis
We offer: You can also leave the mixing entirely to us: You upload your tracks, we mix them, and you receive personal feedback and revisions. Online mixing from €120. More about online mixing
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Determine the order and breaks of your album.
Because the order, levels between songs, and transitions belong in the album mastering, not in the upload.
Album Mastering Basics (Peak-Studios)
We offer: During album mastering, we review the track order, pauses, and transitions with you and fine-tune the loudness and sound of all songs for streaming, CD, or vinyl. From €315, including two revisions. More about album mastering
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Have a streaming master created: 24 bit, native sample rate, below −1 dBTP.
Spotify and Apple require your native master. -14 LUFS is playback normalization for the platforms, not a delivery requirement.
Streaming specifications (Peak-Studios)
We offer: On request, we can master your song for streaming, CD and vinyl, digitally from €65 or analogously from €89, with two revisions. More about online mastering
We offer: If you want to hear how your song sounds finished first: Test mastering costs €10. More about test mastering
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Have a DDP image created for the pressing plant: order, pauses, CD-Text, ISRC.
The pressing plant doesn't need a WAV folder, but a DDP. That's the production master for your audio CD.
We offer: We can create a DDP image for you for a fixed price of €60. This includes the track order, breaks, CD-Text, ISRC, and, if desired, EAN, along with PQ codes and a checksum. It will be ready in 3 to 7 business days, and we will send it to you or directly to your pressing plant. More about the DDP image
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Have your master checked to see if it's suitable for vinyl.
Bass, sibilance, loudness, and side length determine whether a separate vinyl master is needed. Sometimes the same file is sufficient, often not.
We offer: We check your master for vinyl suitability and, if needed, create a custom vinyl master according to your pressing plant's specifications, starting at €65 per song. Upon request, you can hear a digital simulation of how the record will sound beforehand. More about vinyl mastering
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Also export additional versions: Instrumental, Clean version, Stems.
Radio stations, sync requests, and remixes demand them, often on short notice. Now it's a click, later a new production.
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Listen to the master track afterwards on your mobile phone, in your car, using headphones, and in mono.
Because what only works on studio monitors won't be heard by the listener. You can measure LUFS and True Peak in your browser.
We offer: With our free Loudness Meter, you can measure the loudness and true peak of your master directly in your browser. The file is not uploaded. Open Loudness Meter
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Finally, store the final files neatly: filename with version, backup in two locations.
Because confused versions are the most common reason for incorrect uploads.
C · Codes, GEMA and GVL
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Ensure an ISRC is available for each recording: either free from the distributor or with your own key.
The ISRC is the serial number of your recording, without which you cannot release your music. No platform will accept your track without it. Your distributor provides it free of charge; a personal key from the German Federal Association of the Music Industry (BVMI) costs a one-time fee of €250, or €125 for VUT members (as of September 25, 2026). Keep the code when changing distributors, otherwise streams and playlists will start from scratch.
Apply for ISRC at the BVMI ISRC explained (Peak-Studios)
We offer: With our free ISRC editor, you can write the codes directly into your WAV files in your browser. When we create your DDP image, we automatically transfer the ISRC codes. Open ISRC editor
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Also, make sure there's an EAN for each release.
The EAN is the barcode of your release. Your distributor provides it free of charge. You only need your own GS1 numbers for retail or direct sales: SmartStarter costs €60 per year (as of September 25, 2026).
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Then decide whether you want to become a GEMA member.
GEMA membership isn't mandatory if you want to release music. It's worthwhile as soon as you perform live, get radio airplay, or receive sync requests. Cost: €90 net one-time fee (waived for those under 30), €50 per year. Applications submitted by October 31st will be valid for the current year (as of September 25, 2026).
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Register your work in the GEMA portal: title, participants, shares.
Required if you are a GEMA member. Works reported too late miss out on royalties. The distributor will not report your work for you.
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Sign a GVL representation agreement as an artist. Free of charge.
GVL pays for the use of your recording on the radio and in public, independently of GEMA. GEMA is for the song, GVL for the recording.
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Also, conclude the GVL contract as a record producer.
Because whoever pays for the recording is also its producer. This is a second, separate contract with its own portal.
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Only apply for a label code if you want to distribute your music to radio or TV.
The label code is unnecessary for Spotify and Apple. It identifies your label in the radio registration system and is handled via the GVL manufacturer agreement.
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Next, define the ℗ and © lines.
“℗ 2026 Your Name” refers to the recording, “© 2026 Your Name” to the song and artwork. Distributors require both fields; they denote different rights.
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Finally, clarify your tax status: questionnaire at the tax office, small business rule, artists' social security fund.
Income from streaming and performances is taxable. You remain a small business owner if your revenue in the previous year is €25.000 and in the current year is €100.000 (§ 19 UStG); the German social security fund for artists (Künstlersozialkasse) starts at €3.900 annual income, and even below that for those just starting out in their careers (as of September 25, 2026). This is just a starting point, not tax advice.
D · Choose music distributor
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Compare music distributors and choose one.
Spotify and Apple do not accept direct uploads; anyone wanting to release music there needs a distributor. Annual subscriptions, pay-per-release, and commission-based models differ significantly, as do the rights involved.
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Also read what happens to your release if you cancel your subscription.
According to the providers' help pages, DistroKid takes music offline without a subscription, Amuse keeps it online for a 25% commission, and iMusician keeps it permanently online (as of September 25, 2026). This will determine the future for years to come.
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Activate Content ID and social delivery to unlock your own YouTube channel.
Otherwise, your own videos will be subject to claims. In the distribution world, this process is usually called "allowlisting."
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Set up your direct channels: Bandcamp, SoundCloud, your own shop.
Direct sales bring in more per sale, and the fan relationship belongs to you. Bandcamp waives its share on Bandcamp Fridays.
E · Metadata and cover
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Enter the metadata completely: Artist name, "feat." as role, Songwriter with full name, language, genre, Explicit flag.
Because no artist name in the song title, no "(Explicit)" in the title: Anyone wanting to release music provides clean fields. The platforms show exactly what you deliver.
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Also, link your existing artist profile: Spotify URI, Apple Artist ID.
Otherwise, your song will end up with the same name. Your distributor has a field for that.
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Create the cover: square, 3000 to 4000 pixels, sRGB without color profile, without handles, URLs, prices or barcodes.
Spotify rejects upscaled images, no matter how good the music you want to release is. Apple currently requires 4000 pixels on the artist page, while provider support specifies 3000 (as of September 25, 2026). Use 4000, then both will work.
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Only create print data from the template provided by your printing plant.
Because trimming, flaps, and folds vary from project to project. Universal measurements from the internet lead to misprints.
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Clarify what will be printed on the recording: ℗ and ©, EAN, catalog number, label code if applicable and GEMA notice.
Because there is no legally mandated package. Retailers, distributors, and broadcasters require specific information depending on the channel.
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Next, put together your press kit: print-quality photo, short bio, press release.
Because blogs, radio stations, and bookers are asking for exactly that. One landscape photo, one portrait, 300 dpi, with photo credit.
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Create a canvas or visualizer: 9:16, three to eight seconds, without sound.
Visibility in the Spotify player and on social media. Not a replacement for the cover art.
F · CD produce
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First select the packaging and then load the template from your pressing plant.
Jewel case, digipak or cardboard slipcase: the number of panels and the spine determine the print file.
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Get a quote: Pressing from about 300 to 500 units, including burned CDs.
The tooling costs of a pressing only become more affordable with larger production runs. Small batches are duplicated.
How a CD is made (Peak-Studios)
We offer: We are a mastering studio, not a pressing plant. We offer mastering and DDP image creation from a single source, and upon request, the finished image can be sent directly to your pressing plant. Then you only need to arrange the print run and packaging there. More about the DDP image
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Clarify who will handle the GEMA license for the print run: you, your broker, or the pressing plant as a service.
Because there is no automatic process. The responsibility lies with the person who initiates the requirement.
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Then check the DDP image in the player and release it using the four-eyes principle.
Because after the CD has been handed over to the pressing plant, the order, pauses and CD text can no longer be changed.
We offer: With our free DDP Player you can check the image directly in the browser: tracklist, pauses, CD-Text, ISRC and checksums. Open DDP Player
We offer: If you don't already have a DDP image: We will create it for €60 and check it ourselves before delivery. More about the DDP image
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Plan for the legal deposit copies for the German National Library: two copies, which must arrive at the DNB in Leipzig within one week of publication.
Legal obligation for sound recordings published in Germany.
G · Vinyl production
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First, determine the format, speed, and side length, and then check them against the specifications of your pressing plant.
Because more playing time means a quieter cut. Pallas recommends a maximum of 24 minutes at 33 RPM and 14 minutes at 45 RPM for a 12" side (2018 specification sheet, the linked guideline remains valid as of September 25, 2026); other works specify different values. A louder, bass-heavy track is the result.
We offer: Our complete vinyl package includes advice on format, size and speed, side length and layout, track order and breaks, as well as a digital sound preview of your record – a kind of digital test pressing. This way you know if everything is right before you order. More about vinyl mastering and the complete package
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Next, select the pressing plant and request a quote: print run, weight, color, test pressing, delivery time.
Example Objects Presswerk Berlin, as of September 25, 2026: 100 units €1.281, 300 units €1.656, 500 units €2.140, each including cutting and test pressings; Objects does not specify whether these are net or gross prices. 180g doesn't sound better, it's just more stable.
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Please provide the vinyl master with track listing, individual times, side separation and speed.
Because the work is copied 1:1. Missing information will stop the order.
We offer: Upon request, we can deliver your vinyl master ready for pressing, if required with separate files for side A and B. More about vinyl mastering
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Also, build the cover, Labels A and B, and inner sleeve from the pressing plant template.
Because label dimensions and spine width depend on the album and the number of records.
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Clarify who will handle the GEMA license for the print run.
Because there is no automatic process at the printing plant. The responsibility lies with the person who initiates the print run.
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Listen to the entire test pressing afterwards and only then release it.
Because of the order, beginning and end, distortions, the last tracks of each side, background noise, on multiple systems. At Pallas, the test pressing is only included for orders of 500 copies or more (as of September 25, 2026).
We offer: With the digital sound preview from our complete vinyl package, you can hear how your record sounds even before the actual test pressing and identify critical points early on. More about vinyl mastering and the complete package
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Set the release date only after the test pressing has been approved.
Because press shops are postponing. A fixed date before release is a risk.
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Plan for the legal deposit copies for the German National Library: two copies, which must arrive at the DNB in Leipzig within one week of publication.
Legal obligation for sound recordings published in Germany.
H · Schedule, profiles and pitch
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Set the release date for a Friday and upload at least four weeks in advance.
Since 2015, Friday has been the global release day, when almost everyone releases music. The four weeks are a recommendation for review and pitching, not a platform requirement.
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Claim your artist profiles as well: Spotify for Artists, Apple Music for Artists, Amazon, Deezer, TIDAL, YouTube Official Artist Channel.
No profile means no pitch, no bio, no statistics. Activation takes varying amounts of time.
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Submit your song to the Spotify Editorial Pitch no later than seven days before release.
Only unreleased songs, one at a time. Starting seven days in advance, it will appear in your followers' release radar.
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Then set up a Pre-Save or Smartlink.
Because one link works for all platforms, both before and after release.
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Write to blogs, radio stations and playlist curators personally, using a private link.
Mass emails will be ignored. Pay only for review time, never for a ranking.
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Don't buy streams or guaranteed playlist spots.
Spotify doesn't count artificial streams, charges fees based on distribution, and can remove songs. "Guaranteed streams" are a warning sign.
I · Release Week
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On the release day, check all stores: title, cover, artist attribution, explicit flag.
Otherwise, misidentifications would go unnoticed for weeks.
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Also, submit your lyrics via Musixmatch.
Because lyrics don't automatically appear on Spotify and Apple Music. Claim your profile via Spotify link, synchronize your lyrics, and have them checked.
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Switch the Smartlink to the store links and check if your song is available as a sound on Instagram and TikTok.
Pre-save and release are two different states.
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Start selling the physical goods and send a test package to yourself.
Edge damage and loose panels only become apparent during shipping. Use a suitable mailer, edge protectors, and ensure nothing moves.
J · After the release
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First, report your registration and participation to GVL.
No distribution without reporting, even for members. Retroactive payments possible for up to four years (as of September 25, 2026). Artists report to meine.gvl, producers to label.gvl.
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Then add the ISRC to your work in the GEMA portal.
Link your streaming royalties to your work. In the portal under "Add Sound Recording". For GEMA members only.
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Submit the setlist to GEMA after each performance, at the latest after six weeks.
Otherwise, there are no live royalties, and the promoter pays a 10% surcharge (as of 25.09.2026).
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Understand your billing: Spotify only pays out after 1.000 streams in twelve months, the money arrives two to three months later, GEMA and distributors pay separately.
Because most people releasing music for the first time expect to make money from the very first stream. That's the most common disappointment, and it's avoidable.
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Also, collect receipts and then enter the income in your tax return.
Even small amounts are income.
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Also, create your listings on Discogs and MusicBrainz.
These are databases for collectors and metadata. They are not a replacement for GEMA and GVL.
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Evaluate your results after four weeks: saves, followers, playlists, sales. Note what you'll do differently for the next release.
Because everything will be better the second time you release music, if you measured things the first time.
We offer: If you want to do more yourself for your next release: In 1:1 coaching you will learn mixing and mastering on your own songs, online or in the studio, from €70 per hour. More about coaching
K · Label, Sync and Promotion
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Prepare the label pitch: one track, private link, three sentences of context, real numbers, one specific question.
Because labels don't read archives. The label's demo policy takes precedence. You can find independent labels through the VUT (Association of Independent Music Companies).
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Then check each offer for warning signs: guaranteed streams, time pressure, unclear master rights, "label deal" with mandatory marketing package.
A paid service isn't fraud, but it's not a record deal either. Clarify the contracting party, duration, cancellation policy, master rights, exclusivity, and compensation. Have the contract reviewed if it involves extensive rights.
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Also, put together a sync package: instrumental, stems, cutdowns, and a clear chain of rights.
Music supervisors need fast, unambiguous approvals. Anyone who hasn't clarified co-authorship or sample rights is out.
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Additionally, check funding programs: Initiative Musik, Musikfonds, GEMA Foundation, state programs, and in Austria and Switzerland, Musikfonds and Fondation SUISA.
Deadlines are constantly changing. Always open the current tender.
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Build a fan base if you publish regularly.
Because recurring revenue requires recurring output; someone who only wants to release music once doesn't need a subscription. It's not worth it for a single release.
Data protection and storage of the checklist
The checklist runs entirely in your browser. Only when you enable "Save progress on this device" will it save your progress locally, and "Clear progress" will delete it again. None of this data is transmitted to Peak-Studios.
Three roles, three registers: GEMA, GVL and record producers
The most common misconception musicians have when releasing music for the first time is viewing all the registrations as a single, continuous process. In reality, there are three separate roles that coincide for you as a solo artist: you are the author (you wrote the song), the performer (you are featured on the recording), and the record producer (you paid for the recording). Each role therefore has its own register, and each register pays for something different.
GEMA: for the song, not for the recording
GEMA represents composers and lyricists. They pay royalties as soon as your work is performed, broadcast, or copied. Importantly, membership is not required if you want to release your own music. Your song is protected from the moment you write it. However, GEMA membership becomes worthwhile as soon as you perform regularly, get airplay on the radio, or receive sync requests. According to the GEMA membership fees The one-time entry fee is €90 net, and the annual membership fee is €50; those aged 30 or younger are exempt from the registration fee. Applications submitted by October 31st will be valid for the current year (as of September 25, 2026). After that, you register each work on the portal, including all contributors and their respective shares. This is precisely why you should document any splits in writing before the song is finished.
For example: Two songwriters, one producer who also contributed to the melody. Without a copyright notice, three people will later argue over royalties. With a copyright notice, the work registration process takes five minutes.
GVL: for inclusion, in two contracts
GVL pays for the use of your recording, for example on the radio or in shops, independently of GEMA. GVL's representation agreement For performing artists, it's free and can be completed online in just a few minutes. As a record label, you also sign a second contract with its own portal. However, both contracts only generate revenue once you register your recordings there. While this can be done retroactively for up to four years, why wait? Many guides fail to explain this dual role, resulting in missed opportunities.
Clarify the rights before you upload.
Three scenarios require clarification before uploading. First, a purchased beat: Read the license, as "exclusive" rarely means full rights acquisition, and stream limits are often buried in the fine print. If you're using an instrumental instead... have produced If you want to, clarify the rights directly with the client. Secondly, samples: There's no "less than five seconds is free" rule in Germany; you need permission for the recording and composition, or you can recreate the sample (sampling is a matter of rights, not seconds). Thirdly, a cover version: If recreated unchanged, it's covered by GEMA and distribution. However, as soon as you change the lyrics or melody, it becomes an adaptation, and that requires the permission of the rights holders. This describes common practice and does not replace legal advice in individual cases.
It's also worth checking the artist's name in the trademark register and on Spotify before it appears on thousands of album covers. And anyone who has used AI in their process should note this now, as distributors and platforms are increasingly requesting it; the details are in our article on... AI Music LabelingFinally, it explains who owns the recording if a studio or producer was involved. Your path to a finished song.
Codes for your release: ISRC, EAN and label code
Three codes appear in every upload form, and only one of them might cost you money. The ISRC is the serial number of an individual recording. Every platform uses this to count streams, which is why no service will accept a track without it. Your music distributor, however, assigns it to you for free as soon as you upload. If you want to manage your own codes, you can request one. Coding key at the Federal Association of the Music Industry€250 one-time fee, €125 for VUT members (as of September 25, 2026). This is not necessary for first-time music releasers. How the code is structured and what an ISRC is exactly, is in the glossary.
The EAN is the barcode of the release as a product: an album has one EAN, but each track has its own ISRC. The distributor also provides the EAN. Therefore, you only need your own GS1 numbers if you sell CDs or records directly to retailers. Finally, the label code identifies your label for radio and television broadcasting purposes. It's unnecessary for Spotify and Apple, and you only receive it through the GVL (German collecting society for performing rights) contract anyway. All these codes are transmitted via the... Delivery standard DDEX, with which distributors supply the platforms.
A pitfall to watch out for later: If you change distributors, always use the same ISRC for the same recording. Otherwise, your song will start from scratch, with new counters, no playlists, and the royalty threshold will start all over again.
Is your master not finished yet? With test mastering, you can hear how your song sounds finished for €10 before you upload anything.
Make sure you really finish the song before releasing music.
Only once the mix is finished is the rest worthwhile, because no master can fix a bad mix. Check it against our list. Preparing the mix for mastering, or put him in the online mixing, if you are unsure. Then the master version is created, one for each target medium.
For streaming, this means, for example: 24-bit, the native sample rate of your session, and a true peak below -1 dBTP. The often-cited -14 LUFS, on the other hand, is the playback normalization of the platforms, not a delivery requirement; Spotify and Apple want your native master. The exact details Streaming specifications of the platforms We've summarized that separately. For a CD you also need a DDP image, for vinyl a modified master; more on that in a moment.
Additional versions that save money later
Export now what radio, sync requests, and remixes will later require: instrumental, clean version, and stems. We'll show you how to do this cleanly. Export stemsFor multiple songs, you also need to set the order and pauses, as this belongs in the album and not in the upload; the Album Mastering Basics We'll explain why. Finally, you'll listen to the master on your phone, in the car, on headphones, and in mono. You can use LUFS and True Peak with our Loudness meter in the browser Measure without uploading.
Choosing a music distributor: What happens to your song when you cancel?
Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, Deezer, and TIDAL don't allow individual artists to upload their music directly. Therefore, anyone wanting to release music has two options: direct sales via Bandcamp or their own online store, and for Spotify and similar platforms, a music distributor, also known as an aggregator. A distributor delivers audio, cover art, and metadata to all platforms, assigns ISRC and EAN codes, and ultimately pays you the royalties. If you also want to sell your music directly, you can use Bandcamp or your own online store. The pricing models differ significantly: annual subscription, fee per release, or commission. We've compiled information on which provider is best suited to which release in [link to article]. Music distributors compared with current prices broken down.
Two points are often overlooked in comparisons, even though they will be decisive for years to come. First, cancellation: according to the providers' help pages, DistroKid takes your music offline without an active subscription, Amuse keeps it online for a 25% commission, and iMusician leaves published releases permanently available (as of September 25, 2026). So read this before you decide.
Secondly, Content ID and Social Media: Activate delivery to YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, and have your own YouTube channel activated by your distributor; otherwise, your videos will be flagged. Those who want to sell directly to fans should also set up Bandcamp or their own online store; this doesn't replace distribution, but it complements it with the channel offering the highest profit margin.
Metadata and cover art: the most common reasons for rejection
The platforms display exactly the data you provide when you want to release music. Therefore, the upload form determines the first impression your fans get. Enter the artist name exactly, feature artists as a role (not in the title), songwriters with their full names, language, genre, and the explicit flag for explicit content. Spotify and Apple reject "(feat. XY)" or "(Explicit)" in the song title. Also, link your existing artist profile via the Spotify URI; otherwise, your song will end up on the platform of the same name. Finally, define the ℗ and © lines: "℗ 2026 Your Name" represents the recording, and "© 2026 Your Name" represents the song and artwork.
Cover: square, large, without handles
When creating the cover art, it must be square, at least 3000 x 3000 pixels, in sRGB without an embedded color profile. Spotify, for example, accepts images from 640 to 10.000 pixels and rejects upscaled images. Apple, on the other hand, currently requires 4000 pixels on the Artist page, while their provider support still specifies 3000 (as of September 25, 2026). Therefore, use 4000 pixels natively; this will ensure compatibility. Social media handles, URLs, prices, barcodes, and a parental advisory logo on non-explicit releases are also prohibited. The text on the cover must match the metadata.
CD and vinyl: What physical releases additionally need
Anyone wanting to release music on CD or vinyl plans a separate process with its own deadlines and budget. For CDs, the pressing plant doesn't need a WAV file, but rather a... DDP image for the pressing plant Including track order, pauses, CD-Text, and ISRC. Pressing is worthwhile for orders of around 300 to 500 units; below that, CDs are burned. Therefore, choose the packaging first, then download the template from your pressing plant; universal dimensions from the internet will lead to misprints. The entire process is shown how a CD is made.
Vinyl: Side length, test pressing, date
With vinyl, the playing time per side determines the cutting level. Pallas, for example, recommends a maximum of 24 minutes per 12″ side at 33 RPM and 14 minutes at 45 RPM (specification sheet dated May 30, 2018; the currently linked specification remains valid as of September 25, 2026). Other pressing plants specify different values, so always follow the specifications of your pressing plant. We will check whether your existing master is suitable for vinyl in [the following section/section]. Vinyl MasteringOften, an adjusted master is needed due to bass, sibilance, and loudness. The test pressing is then your approval point: listen to it completely, on multiple systems, only then release the production run. You only set the release date afterward because pressing plants have delays.
Prices, GEMA license and legal deposit copies
A sense of price so you can plan (Objects Presswerk Berlin, as of 25.09.2026, 12″ black 140 g including cutting and test pressings):
| mintage | Price | Content |
|---|---|---|
| 100 pc | 1.281 € | Printed cover, colored labels, white inner sleeves |
| 300 pc | 1.656 € | same package |
| 500 pc | 2.140 € | same package |
Objects doesn't specify whether these prices are net or gross, so ask before ordering. Two additional obligations arise with every audio recording. First, clarify who is handling the GEMA license for the print run: you, your broker, or the pressing plant as a service. There's no automatic process. And also plan for two legal deposit copies for the German National Library within one week of release. This is required by law, but rarely mentioned in guides.
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Schedule until release Friday
Friday has been the global release day since 2015. While it's not a hard and fast rule, all platforms and charts are geared towards it. Anyone wanting to release music plans backward from this date. The only hard platform deadline is the editorial pitch on Spotify: According to the Rules for the editorial pitch The song must be in the system at least seven days before release, and you should ideally apply for access to Spotify for Artists and Apple Music for Artists simultaneously, with one song unreleased at a time. Adhering to this will also ensure your followers see your release on their radar. All other deadlines are merely recommendations, giving you a buffer for mistakes and promotion.
| When | What | character. |
|---|---|---|
| 6 to 8 weeks in advance | Mastering complete, rights cleared, cover and metadata ready | Suggestions |
| 4 weeks prior | Upload to the distributor with release date | Suggestions |
| 3 to 4 weeks in advance | Claim profiles, pre-save link, contact press and blogs | Suggestions |
| at least 7 days in advance | Spotify Editorial Pitch | Platform rule |
| Release Friday | Live check of all stores, switch Smartlink | mandatory |
| up to 7 days later | Legal deposit copies to the National Library (physical only) | Law |
Profiles, press, and what you should never do
This includes, first and foremost, a profile on Spotify for Artists, Apple Music for Artists, Amazon, Deezer, TIDAL, and a YouTube Official Artist Channel. Without a profile, there's no pitch, no bio, and no statistics. For press, blogs, and bookings, the same applies: contact them personally, include a private link, and send a track. Our guide explains how to create a professional profile. Self-promotion for bandsWhat you should never do, however, is buy streams or guaranteed playlist spots. Spotify doesn't count artificial streams; instead, it charges distribution fees and can even remove the song.
After the release: News, money and taxes
Once your song is released, check all stores on release day: title, cover art, artist attribution, and explicit flag. Then come the steps that almost everyone forgets. Lyrics, for example, don't appear automatically; you submit them via Musixmatch. You also need to register the recording and your involvement with GVL; otherwise, you won't receive any royalties despite having a contract. GEMA members also update the ISRC on the portal and submit the setlist after each performance, at the latest within six weeks; otherwise, the promoter pays a ten percent surcharge, and you receive nothing.
Why the money arrives later and separately
Anyone who wants to make money with streams should know the barriers, because the most common disappointment is avoidable: According to the Minimum threshold for remuneration Spotify only pays out if a track has reached at least 1.000 streams within twelve months. Furthermore, the money arrives with a two- to three-month delay via distribution channels, and GEMA royalties are handled through a completely separate channel with their own payment schedules.
Streaming revenue is also taxable: You'll need to fill out a questionnaire at the tax office. Small businesses are exempt if their revenue is up to €25.000 in the previous year and €100.000 in the current year (§ 19 UStG). You're also eligible for the artists' social security fund if your annual income is above €3.900, though this applies to those just starting out in their careers (as of September 25, 2026). This is just a starting point, not tax advice. After four weeks, you should evaluate what worked, because your second release will only be better than the first if you measure your results.
Technical terms explained briefly
- ISRC: Serial number of a single recording. Provided free of charge by the distributor.
- EAN/UPC: The release's barcode is used as a product identifier. An album has an EAN, each track an ISRC.
- Label code (LC): Label identifier used in radio and TV reporting. Not required for streaming.
- GEMA: Collecting society for composition and lyrics. Voluntary.
- GVL: Collecting society for recording, separately for artists and producers. Free of charge.
- Music distribution / distributor / aggregator: A service that delivers your music to the platforms and pays out earnings.
- DDP image: Production master for the audio CD, including track order, pauses and CD text.
- Editorial pitch: Submission of an unreleased song to Spotify's playlist editors.
- ℗ and ©: ℗ indicates the owner of the recording, © the owner of the song and artwork.
Conclusion: Releasing music is a matter of order, not magic.
Releasing music rarely fails due to a lack of talent, but rather due to a lack of order and fine print. Therefore, clarify the rights before you upload your own music. Let the distributor assign the codes, but understand what they represent. Also, treat GEMA and GVL for what they are: two separate organizations for two different rights. Then plan step by step backward from Friday, adhere to the seven-day pitch period, and only expect to receive payment after reaching the threshold. If you're unsure about the mastering process, stop by... Test mastering for €10how your song sounds finished, and with the mix analysis You'll find out beforehand where your mix stands. The rest is a checklist, and you have that now.
Frequently asked questions about publishing music
Questions about costs and money
Do I need to be a GEMA member to release my music?
No. Your song is protected from the moment you write it, and no distributor requires a membership if you want to release music. However, GEMA membership becomes worthwhile as soon as you perform live, get radio airplay, or receive sync requests. It costs €90 net as a one-time fee and €50 per year (as of September 25, 2026).
How much does it cost to release a song?
Annual subscriptions start at around €25 per year, while pay-per-releases start at around €10 per single; ISRC and EAN codes are included. Mastering, cover art, and optional promotion are also included. A vinyl release costs from around €1.300 for 100 copies (as of September 25, 2026).
Can I release my music for free?
On Bandcamp, SoundCloud, and YouTube, yes, you can release music directly without a distributor. However, for Spotify and Apple Music, you need a distributor if you want to release music there; completely free providers either retain a commission or remove the music after cancellation.
How much money is there per 1.000 streams?
This varies depending on the country and subscription type, often by a few euros. More importantly, however, Spotify only pays for a track once it has reached at least 1.000 streams within twelve months, and the money arrives two to three months later via distribution.
Questions about rights, cover and distribution
Do I need a label code for Spotify?
No. The label code is only relevant for radio and television reporting. You'll also receive it through the GVL manufacturer agreement if you actually need it.
What happens to my song if I change distributors?
Use the same ISRC code for the same recording with the new provider; this will usually ensure that streams and playlists are preserved. Also, upload to the new provider first and only cancel your subscription with the old one afterward, otherwise there will be a gap in your data.
How big does my cover need to be?
Square, at least 3000 × 3000 pixels, preferably 4000, sRGB without a color profile, and without handles, URLs, prices, or barcodes. Above all, do not upscale.
Am I allowed to publish a cover song?
An unchanged re-recording is fine, through your distributor's licensing agreement or with GEMA (the German performing rights society). However, as soon as you change the lyrics, melody, or translation, you need the permission of the rights holders.
Questions about the interactive checklist
Is the release checklist free?
Yes, completely. There's no registration, no premium version, and no email requirement. It's a tool we use in our daily studio work, where we answer the same questions from first-time publishers time and time again.
Do I need to register, and what happens to my data?
No. Everything runs in your browser. Only when you enable saving will the checklist save your progress locally on your device. There is no account, no data transfer to us, and no evaluation of your answers.
Can I download my list as a PDF?
Yes. The "Download as PDF" button directly creates a PDF file containing your relevant tasks, their status, and clickable links. No print dialog opens, and you can save, share, or print the file.
Can I use the checklist on multiple devices?
The list is only saved on the device you use it on. For a second device, you can download it as a PDF or answer the five questions again there; this takes less than a minute.
