Every saved release has a checklist of what the stores need. Open Releases, choose the release, and look at the Overview tab. At the top it says Ready to release, or how many things are left to fix.
The app and the submission use the same list, so if the checklist says the release isn’t ready, submitting will come back with the same problems.
What stops a submission
Each of these has to be fixed before the release can go:
| Check | What it needs | How to fix it |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | A date on the release | Edit the release, on the Release Info step |
| Songs | At least one track | Edit the release, on the Tracks step |
| Masters | Audio on every song, and not an MP3 | Upload a WAV for that song. Stores do not take MP3 |
| Cover art | A cover linked to the release | Choose art on the wizard’s Review step |
| Genre | A primary genre | Primary Genre on the Release Info step |
| Writers | A songwriter or composer credit on every song, with shares that add up to 100 if you use shares | Edit details on the song’s page, in Track Credits |
What is only a warning
These show in the list but don’t stop you submitting:
- Master quality. Stores take a 16 or 24-bit WAV at 44.1 to 96 kHz, and the message names the track and what its file is now.
- Cover quality. The cover should be a square of at least 3000 pixels, JPEG or PNG, in RGB rather than CMYK.
- Pitch to the stores. This lists anything missing from the story, pitch, audience, similar artists, main markets, press plans and recording details.
The materials due date
When a release has a date, the checklist also shows “Materials due” with a date 28 days before release. It is a planning date and doesn’t block anything. If the date arrives and a blocking item is still open, the workspace owners get one reminder.
Submit from the wizard
Open the release, choose Edit, and go through to Review. Tick the seven acknowledgements and choose Submit for Distribution. The wizard saves your draft first, then opens the Submitting Release dialog, which shows each stage as it happens.
Submitting doesn’t use credits.
Submit from the release page
If the release is already filled in, use the Distribution tab on its page. Submit for Distribution becomes available once the checklist is clear and you have ticked I have the right to distribute this release. If a track is marked as AI-generated, you must also confirm the AI disclosure.
This tab may also warn Some tracks may already be live, when a track is marked as released elsewhere. You can still submit, but distributing again can create duplicates unless you manage the other distributor. If you are moving the release, turn on the transfer option described in Change, transfer or take down a release.
What the status means
The Distribution status on the Distribution tab tells you where the release stands. Under Submission details you’ll find the latest attempt and any Issues to resolve.
- draft: not submitted yet.
- submitted to distributors: accepted, and with our distribution partner.
- delivering: approved and going out to stores.
- live: our distribution partner has reported it delivered.
- needs changes: something has to be fixed. The issues are listed on the page.
- rejected: the submission failed or review declined it. The reason is listed on the page if one was given.
- taken down: removed from the stores.
The workspace owners and the person who created or submitted the release get an email and a notification when a release needs changes, goes live, is rejected, fails to deliver, or is taken down.
The list on the Releases page can filter by Drafts, In Progress, Needs Changes and Live.
If the submission comes back
The Review step lists problems. It shows “This release needs changes before it can go to the stores” with a list. Fix each one and submit again.
The status is needs changes or rejected. Choose Edit on the release, fix what is listed, and submit from the wizard’s Review step. You tick the acknowledgements again each time. After needs changes or a failed attempt you can also resubmit from the Distribution tab.
If the release had already reached our distribution partner, for example its review sent it back, a change to the release’s title, cover, date, genre, label, explicit mark or track details won’t reach them on resubmit. Email [email protected] with the change.
A submission that fails shows Submission failed with the reason. The Submission status on the Distribution tab shows Issues to resolve, and you can submit again.
The Submitting Release dialog keeps waiting while the release is with our distribution partner. You can close it at any time; the submission carries on and you go to your releases. Check the Distribution tab for where it is.
Messages that stop you before the checklist
- “Too many distribution submits in the last hour.” You can make three attempts in a rolling hour, and attempts that fail the checklist count. Check the list first, wait, then try again.
- “Daily distribution limit reached.” The message gives your limit. Try again tomorrow.
- “This ISRC is already used by another SongPilot catalog”, or “This audio master matches a file already in another SongPilot workspace”. Email [email protected] if the recording is yours.
- “Distribution is paused for this workspace”, or “Distribution is restricted for this workspace”. Email [email protected].
- “You need releases:publish permission to submit.” Your role can’t publish. Ask your workspace owner.
What to do next
Before you press submit, read What locks after you submit.
