How can I distribute a re-release?

During the submission process, you can choose to distribute either a new release or a re-release. Whether you distribute a re-release and whether you reuse certain metadata, such as your UPC and ISRC(s), is dependent on a number of factors.

Please review the following scenarios to determine if you should distribute your release as a new release or a re-release and if you should use a new UPC/ISRC(s) or reuse the original UPC/ISRC(s).

If you have previously distributed your release through a different distributor, and would like to re-release it via UM:

During the submission process, select ‘Re-Release’ and use the original UPC, ISRC(s), metadata, and audio file(s).

In order to distribute a Re-Release:

• Login to your UnitedMasters account via a computer.

• On the left-hand side, or on the 'Manage Your Release' section of the homepage, click ‘RELEASE MUSIC’.

• On the first page, under the 'Release Type', select 'Re-Release'.

• Upload audio files for each track match the ones that you previously distributed through a different distributor.

  • If you are attempting to upload different audio files, please submit them as a new release.

• Verify the metadata (artist/featured artist names, track titles, ISRC's, etc.) matches the original release.

• In the 'Originally Released On' field, enter your original release date.

• Then, you can move to adding your audio files!

It is essential to ensure that the audio files uploaded for the re-release are identical in audio content to the original ones, as even minor changes in audio can lead streaming platforms to categorize the release as entirely new, breaking any existing data links.

Please note that when distributing a re-release, the UPC, ISRC(s), metadata (primary artist name, featured artist name(s), track titles, etc.), and audio file(s) must be consistent with your original release in order for your streaming data to transfer. We recommend waiting a week after your re-release has gone live before issuing a takedown of the original release in order to ensure the streaming data links properly. This waiting period ensures platforms have sufficient time to link streaming data from the original release to the re-release effectively.

Please see this help article for additional information on transferring stream counts from past releases.

If you have previously distributed a single through UnitedMasters, and would like to re-release it on an EP or album:

During the submission process, select ‘New Release’ and use the original audio file, ISRC, and metadata (track title, songwriter, featured artist, and producer name(s)) for that track to ensure your streaming data links properly. However, you should not use the original UPC since this is a new release (different from your single).

If you use the original UPC, you will run into an error stating 'Cannot reuse UPC of distributed release'.

Please note that it is not necessary to take down the original single after the EP/album is distributed.

If you have previously distributed an explicit release and would like to release a clean version of that release:

During the submission process, select ‘New Release’. You should not use the original UPC or ISRC(s) since this is a new release (different from the explicit version).

*Please note that if you use the original UPC and ISRC(s), it could result in the clean version merging into the explicit version, ultimately making the clean version inaccessible.