Music distribution from A to Z.

The terms standing between you and your first release — explained briefly, without the jargon.

Terms

ISRC

The International Standard Recording Code is the unique 12-character fingerprint of a single sound recording. Every track gets exactly one ISRC that identifies it across every platform and attributes streams cleanly to you. OGRECORDS^™ assigns the ISRC automatically at release — you don't have to apply for one.

UPC / EAN

The Universal Product Code (EAN in Europe) is the barcode of your release — the single, EP or album as a product, not the individual track. It bundles all tracks of a release under one number. OGRECORDS^™ generates the UPC for you automatically.

DDEX

DDEX is the industry standard distributors use to deliver metadata and audio to the streaming platforms — a strict XML format that catches typos and missing fields before they ship. OGRECORDS^™ delivers to DDEX 4.3.2, the format Spotify, Apple Music & co. expect.

DSP

A Digital Service Provider is any platform that streams or sells your music: Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Tidal, Deezer and dozens more. From a single upload, OGRECORDS^™ delivers to 38+ DSPs across 240+ territories. The full list is on /network.

Pre-Save

A pre-save lets fans save a release before it's out — on release day it lands in their library or playlist automatically. That boosts day-one streams, which in turn improves your editorial and algorithmic chances. Pre-save is part of every /smart-links at OGRECORDS^™.

Smart Link

A smart link is one landing page that routes every visitor to the right platform automatically — Spotify users to Spotify, Apple users to Apple Music. One link for all DSPs, with pre-save, country targeting and click analytics. More on /smart-links.

Royalty Split

A royalty split divides the income of a track or release automatically across multiple parties — features, producers, co-writers or investors. Each recipient gets their share directly, with no manual transfers from you. At OGRECORDS^™ splits are unlimited and computed in real time — details on /royalty-splits.

Master / Master Rights

The master is the actual sound recording of your song — as opposed to the composition, which belongs to the songwriting and publishing side. Whoever holds the master controls how the recording is exploited. At OGRECORDS^™ you keep 100 % of your masters, always and non-exclusively.

Mechanical Royalties

Mechanical royalties arise from the reproduction and playback of a composition — separate from the master royalties earned through streaming. They usually flow through collecting societies (such as GEMA) and music publishing. Important: distribution covers the master side, not automatically the publishing.

Sync Licence

A sync licence (synchronisation) permits the use of your music with moving images — in ads, film, TV series or games. Such placements often pay far more than streaming and open new income streams. OGRECORDS^™ brokers sync at a 15 % commission and you keep your master rights — see /sync-marketplace.

Content ID

Content ID is YouTube's system that automatically detects your music in other people's videos — covers, reactions, Shorts and other user-generated content. The income it generates flows to you instead of third parties. At OGRECORDS^™ automatic claiming is included in the distribution cut.

Takedown

A takedown pulls a release back off the platforms — for example before a re-release or when switching labels. With classic providers this often costs fees or comes with lock-up periods. At OGRECORDS^™ takedowns are free and without a hold period, because the agreement is non-exclusive.

LUFS

LUFS (Loudness Units Full Scale) is the measure used for a track's loudness. Streaming platforms normalise to a target around -14 LUFS — master louder than that and you give up dynamics without actually sounding louder. The OGRECORDS^™ audio QC checks loudness, clipping and phase before your track goes out.

P-Line / C-Line

The P-line (℗) names the rights holder of the sound recording, the C-line (©) the rights holder of the composition and artwork — each with year and name. These copyright notices are mandatory metadata for every release. OGRECORDS^™ pre-fills the P-line and C-line on submit, and you can override them any time.

Enough theory — get going.

You now know what happens between upload and stream. The release wizard handles the rest.