Music Distribution

FAQs

Can you offer Pre-Save / Pre-Add and Smart links?

Collabhouse can provide you with Pre-Save/Pre-Add and Smart links for each release we distribute on your behalf upon request and subject to demand. Depending on the release date provided, we will create and provide you with a Smart link or a Pre-save link that will automatically convert to a Smart link on the day of your release. Within 24 hours of requesting a Smart link, you will receive an email with the link. Please be aware that pre-release links can only be created for select music services (incl. Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal and Deezer). After release, the Smart link will additionally include links to further services that don’t support Pre-Add/Pre-Save functionality (incl. iTunes, Amazon (buy), YouTube Music and Soundcloud).

I am a new artist and need a Spotify and/or Apple Music profile. How can I get one?

We can create new Spotify & Apple Music profiles for new artists. When you create your first release with Collabhouse, you will be given the option to create a new artist when entering either the Primary Artist(s) or Featuring Artist(s) on the Release and/or Track details page. From here, you will be able to indicate that you don’t already have either a Spotify or Apple Music profile and request that we create one for you by selecting the ‘Create new’ checkboxes from either Spotify Artist ID and/or Apple Music ID fields. Once you submit your release for distribution it can take up to 7 business days to create the new artist Spotify and/or Apple Music profile and assign your unique IDs. During this time, the Music Services will ingest and process your release along with the request for new profiles and IDs. Once your release has been processed and approved by Spotify and/or Apple Music, your ID and an artist profile are created, which is where your release will be placed. You can then “claim” your profiles directly with Spotify and/or Apple Music.

Don’t worry if you upload multiple releases or tracks - you will only be assigned one artist profile and ID for each service.

To claim your Spotify profile, please visit Get access to Spotify for Artists.

To claim your Apple Music profile please visit Claim your Apple Music artist page

My release was taken down from Collabhouse and/or a Music Service

Collabhouse reserves the right to remove music from distribution if it violates our terms and conditions, if it (allegedly) infringes someone's copyright or wasn’t provided in accordance with any of the guidelines, documentation or instructions provided by us. If your music was removed from distribution due to a copyright claim we will inform you. If you have any questions about why your music was taken down, please contact help@collabhouse.com.

Music Services may take down your music for several reasons. It may be because of a copyright claim, alleged fraudulent streaming activity or if your release does not meet the Music Service’s (content) guidelines. Music Services may also remove your release based on an editorial decision. If your music was taken down because of a copyright claim or alleged fraudulent streaming activity, we will inform you. If you have any questions about your release being taken down, feel free to contact help@collabhouse.com and we will look into it for you.

How do I get my music on Beatport?

Collabhouse can distribute your release to Beatport on a select basis, as long as the main genre of your release is dance or electronic. The sub-genre can be specified freely. Please contact help@collabhouse.com to request delivery to Beatport after you have submitted your release. Please note that due to Beatport’s specific requirements and expectations, we may not be able to honour all Beatport delivery requests.

How do I take down my release(s) from the Music Services?

You cannot remove your tracks from distribution during the minimum distribution period, which is 1 year if you choose the flat fee model and 2 years if you distribute your release under the commission model.

How long does it take for my music to go live on the Music Services?

After submitting your release to Collabhouse for distribution, it generally takes up to 7 business days for your release to go live on the Music Services.

Can I bring my own ISRC and/or UPC code?

Yes, you can bring your own UPC and/or ISRC codes. If you do not have UPC and/or ISRC codes, we can generate these for you for free.

What are ISRC and UPC codes and how do I obtain them?

The International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) is a unique international identifier for sound and music video recordings. ISRCs identify individual sound recordings. The Universal Product Code (UPC) identifies the complete album, or product. You need one UPC for each of your releases and an ISRC for each individual track on your releases. If you do not have UPCs or ISRCs for your release, we will generate these for you and automatically allocate them for you to use during the release uploading process for free. If you already have UPCs and/or ISRCs you can use these on Collabhouse and include them on your releases and tracks.

Can I make changes to a release after it's been submitted

Yes, you can correct or change the artwork and metadata, but not the track order, the UPCs, ISRC codes or the audio file. If you wish to make any changes to the audio file after a release has been submitted, please contact help@collabhouse.com for assistance

Can I distribute cover tracks through Collabhouse?

Yes, you can distribute a cover track through Collabhouse, but there are some specific requirements you need to fulfill before distributing your cover track as a download or as streams in some markets, being:

  • Your cover track cannot be a sound-alike
  • You need own or exclusively hold all the rights into the sound recording
  • You must include the names of the original songwriters in the 'composer field' in the track's metadata
  • You are not allowed to mention the original artist in the track title, product name, on the cover art or as part of the artist name.
  • You will need to obtain an additional cover song license for being able to sell downloads (not streams) of your cover track in the US, Canada and Mexico, as well as for being able to stream and sell downloads in India and Pakistan. It will be your responsibility to obtain the required cover song license. You can purchase a cover song license for the territories mentioned via for example EasySongLicensing.

If your cover track features a public domain song, you may distribute it without having to obtain a cover song license.

What type of tracks are not accepted?

You cannot use Collabhouse to distribute any of the following types of content:

  • Sound recordings which you hold non-exclusive rights
  • Sound recordings that contain compositions or lyrics you have not cleared
  • Sound recordings that contain beats licensed from 3rd parties on a non-exclusive basis
  • Soundalikes
  • Public Domain content
  • Karaoke
  • Tribute Songs
  • Generic Sounds (nature sounds, white noise, sleep sounds etc.)
  • Yoga or meditation music
  • Spoken word (incl speeches, comedy and prayers)
  • Standalone production loops, soundbeds, sound effects
  • Stock music
  • Ringtones
  • Audiobooks
  • Podcasts

What are the requirements for artwork?

Your release artwork must have the following pixel dimensions: minimum 1400 x 1400 pixels square and a maximum of 3000 x 3000 pixels. If you are having trouble uploading artwork to Collabhouse, it is usually because your artwork is not exactly square or in the right pixel size.

What kind of audio files are accepted?

All audio files uploads must be a WAV or FLAC file with at least 16-bit, 44.1kHz, 192kbps, dual-channel audio. If these requirements are not met, your release will be rejected.

Can I distribute my tracks via Collabhouse if I already have a distributor?

Yes, that's possible. But you cannot distribute the same tracks through Collabhouse that are already distributed through another distributor. You are free to use another distributor or record label party for any tracks you do not distribute through Collabhouse.

How distribution works

First create a Collabhouse profile and make sure to select ‘Music Maker’ as one of the roles. Then go to the ‘Releases’ page in ‘My Collabhouse’ and follow the steps to upload and create your first release. You can upload single tracks, EPs or entire albums (max. 15 tracks per release). For each release, you need to provide artwork, release name, audio files and track names together with a bunch of other information that helps identify your tracks on Music Services and Collabhouse. After completing your release, you can submit it for distribution to Music Services on the ‘Distribute to Music Services’ tab of your release. First select what ‘distribution model’ you want to use for your release. You can choose from multiple models: 1. Pay €5,- and keep 100% of your royalties; 2. Pay 5% of your royalties and keep 95% of your royalties; or 3. any other (promotional) distribution model made available to you at the time of distributing your release. After selecting the distribution model for this release, you can submit it for distribution and pay for your distribution fee if that applies to you. As soon as you submit your release, we will review it internally and contact you if any changes should be made to it. If you don’t hear from us, your release will be delivered to and go live on the Music Services within 7 business days from submission.

How much does distribution cost?

Collabhouse offers multiple distribution models you can choose from on a release-by-release basis:

Option 1: Pay €5 and keep 100% of your distribution royalties:

  • €5 flat fee per release
  • keep 100% of royalties
  • minimum distribution period of 1 year
  • you cannot create and sell NFTs
  • statistics

Option 2: Pay 5% commission and keep 95% of your distribution royalties:

  • no upfront cost – just 5% commission
  • keep 95% of royalties
  • minimum distribution period of 2 years
  • create and sell NFTs
  • statistics

Any other (promotional) distribution model made available to you at the time of distributing your release.

What rights must I have to distribute via Collabhouse?

To distribute your tracks to Music Services via Collabhouse, you need to own or control all rights into the master recordings of the tracks you upload globally and on an exclusive basis. At the moment you cannot exclude certain Music Services or territories from distribution.

Can Collabhouse help me pitch and promote my releases?

Yes, we certainly can help you promote and pitch your releases to Music Services for playlist and editorial consideration. To request promotion for your release, please contact help@collabhouse.com. Please make sure to request promotion for your release at least 6 weeks ahead of the scheduled release date.

Which Music Services do you distribute to?

We distribute your release to 50+ Music Services globally, including:

Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, Deezer, YouTube, YouTube Music, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Soundcloud, Pandora, Tidal, Peloton, Tencent, NetEase, iMusica, KKBox, Anghami, JioSaavn, Boomplay, 7Digital, Fizy, Line Music, AWA, Hungama, Kakao Music, Napster/ Rhapsody and many more.

At the moment you cannot exclude certain Music Services from distribution.

Delivery to Beatport is also available upon request and subject to additional requirements.


More FAQs