How to Release Your Music on Apple Music
Apple Music, with millions of subscribers, is one of the most important platforms for musicians. Placing your music there is crucial to reaching a wider audience and generating revenue. But how exactly does it work? We'll guide you through the process.
Uploading Directly to Apple Music: Is It Possible?
Unlike platforms like YouTube, you cannot upload your music directly to Apple Music. Apple Music exclusively works with music distributors, who act as an interface between you and the streaming platform. This ensures that all technical and legal requirements are met.
A distributor bundles your release with many others and delivers it in the correct format to Apple Music and other DSPs (digital service providers) such as Spotify, Amazon Music, or TikTok. Without such a partner, releasing on major streaming services is not possible.
The Role of a Music Distributor
A music distributor like OGRECORDS™ handles the technical delivery of your tracks to Apple Music and over 38 other DSPs worldwide. This means you only upload your music once with us, and we take care of distribution to over 240 territories.
We ensure that all metadata is correct and that delivery is in the DDEX 4.3.2 standard. Additionally, we automatically generate necessary identifiers such as ISRC and UPC, which are mandatory for every release on Apple Music. Find out more in our /glossar.
Preparing Your Release
Before uploading your music, you need to prepare a few things: Your tracks should be in WAV (or FLAC) format, and the artwork should be high-resolution and square (at least 3000x3000 pixels). You will also need all relevant metadata such as song title, artist name, genre, release date, and songwriter information.
Make sure all information is accurate and complete. Errors here can lead to delays in the release. With OGRECORDS™, you can easily plan your release and have all important information in one place. Learn more about the process on /distribution.
Releasing with OGRECORDS™
At OGRECORDS™, the process is straightforward. You pay no subscription fees or per-release costs. We operate on a fair 10 % revenue-share model: you only pay when you earn. When you release with us, 100 % of your masters remain yours; there's no lock-in, and takedowns are possible anytime without penalty fees.
We also offer numerous tools to help you make your music successful. These include Pre-Saves and Smart Links (/smart-links), daily analytics, and free catalog migration if you're switching from another distributor. Royalty splits for unlimited recipients are also included (/royalty-splits).
Ready to get your music on Apple Music and beyond? Get started with OGRECORDS™ today.