Master Check: Your Track is Ready. Or Is It?
Your song is mastered and sounds exactly as you envisioned it. Congratulations! But before you present it to the world, there are a few essential things you absolutely must check. A small error here can have major consequences – from discoverability to royalty payments. We'll show you how to conduct your Master Check successfully.
ISRC: The Digital Birth Certificate of Your Track
The ISRC code is indispensable. It's the International Standard Recording Code, a kind of digital birth certificate that uniquely identifies your song worldwide. Without a correct ISRC, your track cannot be properly tracked and accounted for. Imagine your hit being streamed millions of times, but the revenue doesn't reach you because the attribution is missing.
At OGRECORDS™, you don't have to worry about this. We automatically assign ISRC codes for each of your tracks when you upload them through our platform. This is part of our service and saves you a lot of effort and potential error sources. Find out more in our /glossar.
Cover Quality: Your Visual Showcase
The eyes listen too – and see first. Your cover artwork is the first thing potential listeners see of your song. It must not only be aesthetically pleasing but also technically flawless. Ensure high resolution so it looks sharp on all platforms. Pixelated or blurry images appear unprofessional and can be off-putting.
Also, carefully check for spelling errors in titles or artist names. Nothing is more embarrassing than a typo on your release. Make sure no important elements are cut off and all text is easily readable. Your cover should reflect the professionalism of your sound.
Metadata Check: The Invisible Helpers of Your Success
Metadata are the invisible information associated with your song that ensures its discoverability and correct accounting. This includes the artist name, song title, composers, genre, and much more. Errors in the metadata can lead to your song not ending up in the right playlists, being hard to find, or revenues being incorrectly allocated. This is an absolute no-go.
Take the time to carefully check all metadata. Are all participants listed correctly? Is the genre correct? Is the release title exact? At OGRECORDS™, you can easily and clearly enter all relevant metadata. We use the DDEX 4.3.2 standard to ensure your information is correctly and completely transmitted to all 38+ DSPs in 240+ territories. Find more information under /distribution.
UPC and Other Included Services
Besides the ISRC, the UPC (Universal Product Code) is also important. It identifies your entire release – whether a single, EP, or album. We at OGRECORDS™ also automatically assign this code for you. This takes another worry off your mind and ensures your release is globally unique.
Also, consider other tools that make your start easier: Pre-Save links for early listener engagement, Smart Links to bundle your streaming platforms, and daily analytics to track the success of your track. All of this is included with us and helps you market your release optimally. Check out /smart-links and /distribution to learn more.
With a thorough Master Check, you ensure that your release not only sounds good but also smoothly finds its way to your listeners, and you are fairly compensated.