PARTNER Artists - Distribution Guide

UnitedMasters PARTNER artists can use this guide for distribution of their releases. This guide will help organize and plan a distribution rollout for your releases, explain each step of the submission process, and all required deliverables.

UnitedMasters PARTNER tier is by invite only

Distribution Guide

Cover Art

Secure final cover art for the release before submitting the release, if possible. Avoid using placeholders such as solid colors and blank images.

If you need to replace your cover art at a later time, provide your images to your A&R rep in a Google Drive Dropbox link.

Audio Files

Check your audio files for any potential issues before uploading your release.

If you need to replace your audio files at a later time, provide your files to your A&R rep in a Google Drive Dropbox link.

Release / Track Title Stylization 

Check all track titles for any spelling or stylization errors before submitting the release (mainly for foreign releases). Special characters may not reflect as intended on all platforms.

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 to your A&R rep 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

Songwriter / Producer Credits

If you need to update your songwriter or production credits at a later time, you can request this with your A&R rep.

Additional Credits (Mixing, Mastering, etc.)

We can add additional credits on the track-level, such as Mixing Engineer, Mastering Engineer, and specific instrument roles. If you have them, request this with your A&R rep.

Splits - Sound Recording / Distribution 

All split collaborators must have an active UnitedMasters account (this can be a free-tier DEBUT account).

If splits need to be added at a later time, please include the collaborators' UM email addresses and the split percentage when requesting this with your A&R.

Splits - Sync / Publishing Admin

Please provide the following:

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

Release Date

Please submit your releases at least 3 days prior to the release date to ensure smooth redelivery on your intended date. 

If you need to update your release date at a later time, you can request this with your A&R rep.

TikTok Timestamps

We can add up to 4 custom timestamp for your tracks in TikTok. You can request this withy our A&R rep.

Always provide start time and length (minimum 15 seconds - maximum 60 secs).

TikTok Music Tab

Linking your tracks to your TikTok profile / Music Tab

You can use the self-service tool to activate your TikTok Artist Account and link tracks to your profile and music tab.

If you experience issues with this, you can reach out to your A&R rep for further assistance.

META (linking tracks to Instagram / Facebook profile)

We can link your distributed tracks to your Instagram and/or Facebook profiles

To request this, compile any ISRCs that you want linked to the your profiles and provide these to your A&R rep with Instagram/Facebook handles.

SoundCloud

As a Partner artist, your releases are automatically delivered to SoundCloud through UnitedMasters. 

If you prefer to self-upload your releases to SoundCloud, please communicate this to your A&R rep before each release and we can exclude deliver to SoundCloud for you.

If you have any issues with your UM-delivered content on SoundCloud, you can reach out to your A&R rep for further assistance.

Snapchat

Snap requires all writers on a track to be affiliated with a US-based performance rights organization (PRO), such as ASCAP or BMI, for that track to be available in their service.

In the case that a release is not available in the Snapchat mobile app, you can reach out to your A&R rep to provide your PRO information and request further assistance.

YouTube OAC / VEVO Merge Requests

You can request an OAC (Official Artist Channel) directly with our team following this article - YouTube OAC Request

If you already have a VEVO channel created, you can request to merge the channel with your OAC. Reach out to your A&R rep for further assistance. 

Additional Questions / Issues

If you have any additional questions, requests, or issues - you can always reach out to your A&R representative for further assistance and our team will help!