Label Partners - Distribution Guide

UnitedMasters Label Partners can use this guide for distribution of their artist’s releases. This guide will help organize and plan a distribution rollout for your releases and explain each step of the submission process.

UnitedMasters Label Partnership is currently by invite only.

Distribution Guide

• Sound Recordings
  • Secure all sound recording files in preparation for release submission or catalog migration processes.
  • Google Drive or Dropbox

• Cover Art
  • Secure all image files in preparation for release submission or catalog migration processes.
  • Google Drive or Dropbox

• Metadata
  • Compile all metadata for the release and for all tracks on the release.
  • Release title, track titles, songwriter information, producers, featured/primary artist designations, release date.
  • Original UPC’s and ISRC’s for any re-release material.

• Featured Artist Credits /  Dual Primary Mappings (Apple / Spotify)
  • Ensure all agreements and documentation have been secured for any high-profile featured artist additions. Always send your licenses via Label Support and provide the documentation when requesting a new high-profile or watchlisted featured artist / dual primary addition.
  • Understanding Artist Roles when releasing a song or album – UnitedMasters

• Splits - Sound Recording / Distribution
  • All split collaborators must have an active UM account (can be a free-tier DEBUT account)
  • If splits need to be added, please include the collaborators' UM email addresses and the split percentage when reaching out to Label Support.
  • If any forced acceptance is needed, reach out to Label Support.

• Sync Splits - Publishing Admin / Sync
  • Sound Recording Controller – Who owns the rights to the sound recording?
    • Percentage Names, emails, PRO, IPI number
  • Composition Controller – Who owns the rights to the lyrics and musical composition?
    • Percentage, Names, emails, PRO, IPI number
  • Publisher Controller – Who owns the publishing rights
    • Percentage, Names, emails, PRO, IPI number

• TikTok
  • Timestamps: We can add custom timestamps for your artist’s track by request. You can request this by reaching out to LAbel Support and providing a start time and length (up to 60 secs) for each track.
  • If your artist doesn't have an official TikTok artist account, we have a Self-service option to help you set this up and add content to your artist’s “Music Tab”.
  • Your artist has the ability to activate their Artist Account and Music Tab by using the self-service option when accessing this link via the TikTok mobile app.

• Meta (Linking ISRC’s to Instagram Profile)
  • Compile any ISRCs that you want linked to the artist's Instagram profile. Provide these to Label Support with the artist’s Instagram handle so we can request this with Meta.
  • Meta does not support custom timestamps for IG/FB.

• SoundCloud
  • If this is your artist’s first release with UM, we’ll need to submit this form to SoundCloud to ensure our deliveries are mapped to the correct SoundCloud page for the artist.
  • After this, SC deliveries are automatically sent to this artist profile.
  • You can request delivery and monetization of your UM distributed releases to Soundcloud by requesting through Label Support.

• Snapchat
  • Snapchat requires all writers on a track to be affiliated with a PRO in order to make the content available on their platform.
  • If a release is not available in Snapchat, please send us your artist’s PRO (BMI / ASCAP) information and screenshots.
  • Label Support will assist in requesting availability for Snapchat.

• YouTube OAC
  • You can request an OAC (Official Artist Page) upgrade for your artists through Label Support.
  • Provide the artist’s self-created “Owned & Operated” YouTube channel and the “Topic” channel that has all their distributed releases.

• VEVO
  • If your artist already has a VEVO channel created, we can merge this with their OAC.
  • If your artist does not have a VEVO channel created, you can request this through Label Support.

• Music Videos
  • When planning an upcoming release rollout (Singles or Album) that includes Music Videos
    • Secure files for all music videos that you plan to release.
    • We suggest that your Label rep handles the ingestion of all music video assets.
    • If you or your artist want to self-upload, it is important to send the link to any uploaded music videos to the Artist Relations or Label rep immediately after upload.
    • We recommend using VEVO for music video assets.

• Catalog Migrations
  • If you are planning on migrating releases from your artist’s catalogs over to UnitedMasters:
    • Your Label rep will set you up with our Catalog Migration team that will provide detailed instructions and assist throughout the whole process.

For any additional assistance, please reach out to your UnitedMasters label representative.