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From Single to Album Launch: A Creator’s Guide to Video, Audio, and Streaming Deliverables

UUnknown

2026-02-05

11 min read

A 2026 end-to-end checklist for musicians: audio masters, music videos, ISRC, social cuts, metadata, and live-stream launch workflows.

Launch on time, everywhere: why deliverables break or make a release

Releasing a single or full album in 2026 means juggling audio masters, music videos, ISRCs, social cuts, metadata, and live streams — often on different timelines. Every missed format, wrong loudness, or incomplete metadata entry can delay ingestion, block royalties, or make your content invisible in playlists. This guide is an end-to-end, platform-aware checklist for musicians and teams who need a predictable, repeatable workflow that covers technical specs, timing, and monetization steps.

Top takeaways (read first)

Start 8–12 weeks out for full albums (4–6 weeks for singles).
Deliver 24-bit WAV masters with true-peak headroom (-1 to -2 dBTP) and target streaming loudness (-14 LUFS) or provide alternate masters for loud genres.
Register ISRCs & UPCs and metadata before delivery — distributors often need these to schedule releases.
Create vertical social cuts (9:16) in 15/30/60s lengths and prepare 16:9 video masters (ProRes) for music videos and DSPs.
Test live-stream setup with RTMPS or SRT 1–2 days before the launch for smooth watch-party experiences.

The 2026 context: trends shaping release workflows

Late 2025 and early 2026 cemented a few realities you must plan for: spatial audio and immersive formats are no longer experimental — Apple Music, Tidal, and select DSPs pushed spatial catalog growth in 2025 — and major platforms continue to prioritize short-form, vertical consumption. At the same time, subscription price changes on dominant DSPs (e.g., Spotify’s 2025 price adjustments) have accelerated creators’ need to diversify distribution and maximize direct monetization (merch, livestream ticketing, and direct fan subscriptions).

“No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely under conditions of absolute reality.” — Mitski, used in a 2026 album teaser campaign as an example of creative narrative marketing.

How to use this guide

Work through the timeline below and use the technical spec sections as a deliverables checklist. If you’re the artist, hand this to your distributor, mastering engineer, video producer, and social manager and have them confirm each line item at least two weeks before release.

Release timeline & checklist (high level)

12–8 weeks before release (planning & registration)

Reserve the release date with your distributor and confirm lead time (DSPs often need 2–4 weeks; labels may need longer).
Obtain ISRCs for each track and a UPC/EAN for the release. Use your distributor or national ISRC agency. If you act as your own label, register as an ISRC issuer with your national agency.
Register the compositions with your PRO and, in the U.S., register with the MLC for mechanicals; add publishers and songwriter splits.
Create a metadata spreadsheet with artist name, featured artists, writer credits, producers, explicit flag, genres, language, and territory restrictions.
Plan your music video concept, assets, budget, and timeline; schedule post-production and color grading deadlines.
Decide which tracks will receive spatial/immersive mixes and confirm distributor support for Atmos/ADM or stem-based workflows.

8–4 weeks before release (production & mastering)

Final mix approvals completed.
Create and archive stems (ideally 24-bit WAV: drums, bass, guitars, keys, lead vox, backing vox, effects). Stems will be required for remixes, spatial mixes, and some platform workflows.
Produce a master for standard streaming and, if needed, a separate dynamic master for loudness-sensitive platforms. Keep the source master at full dynamic range — do not brick-limit the file before stem creation.
Export masters as 24-bit WAV at the project's sample rate (44.1 kHz for music is standard; 48 kHz is common for video deliverables). Use -1 dBTP true peak headroom to avoid codec clipping.
Target integrated loudness of -14 LUFS for most streaming platforms. For genres that historically push loudness, prepare an alternate master with higher loudness (but maintain true-peak headroom).

Complete music video post: color grade, mix audio at 24-bit/48 kHz, and export the master according to platform specs (see Music Video deliverables below).
Create social cuts in vertical 9:16 and square 1:1 sizes; produce assets at 15/30/60s and a longer 2–3 min trailer version for stories and YouTube community posts.
Deliver the metadata spreadsheet and audio masters to your distributor at least two weeks before release date; this includes ISRCs, UPC, composer splits, and credits.
Set up pre-save and pre-add campaigns; schedule email and social workflows (consider using a pocket edge host for newsletter-driven pre-saves).
Claim and set up Content ID with your distributor or aggregator for YouTube monetization and copyright control.

1 week to release (final checks)

Confirm ingestion with DSPs — test links from the distributor to ensure the release appears and metadata is correct (artist name, track order, release date, territorial availability).
Upload closed captions (.srt) for the music video and social posts; prepare lyric cards and synchronized lyrics if available (Apple Music supports lyric sync).
Run a live-stream dress rehearsal: test RTMPS/SRT, bitrate, latency, and chat moderation tools. Consider lightweight capture devices and rehearsal recorders for mobile setups like the NovaStream Clip.

Audio masters: technical specs and best practices

Mastering remains the most critical handoff. A good master protects your dynamics and translates through all codecs and platforms.

File formats

Preferred archival master: 24-bit WAV or 24-bit FLAC, same sample rate as mix (44.1 kHz for music).
Distributor-ready master: 24-bit WAV, 44.1 kHz (some distributors accept 48 kHz). Avoid lossy formats for delivery.
Stems: 24-bit WAV files (one file per stem) labeled with track number, stem name, and artist.

Loudness & true peak

Target -14 LUFS integrated for broad platform compatibility and minimal post-encoding changes.
Keep -1 dBTP (true peak) headroom to prevent inter-sample clipping when DSPs transcode to AAC/OGG/MP3.
Do not brick-limit every file; maintain a high-quality archive master and provide a normalized delivery master if your distributor requests it.

Spatial & stem-based mixes

If you're making Dolby Atmos or other immersive mixes, early coordination with your distributor is essential: some DSPs require stems, others require ADM BWF packages. Confirm accepted file types and whether your distributor or an approved mastering facility will upload Atmos files on your behalf.

Music video deliverables (technical & editorial)

Music video masters are treated differently by platforms and aggregators. Creating two versions — a high-quality master and a web-ready proxy — is best practice.

Master (archival / distributor)

Codec: Apple ProRes 422 HQ (or ProRes 4444 if you need alpha/transparency).
Resolution: native production resolution (4K / 3840x2160 recommended if shot in 4K).
Frame rate: match camera source (24, 25, 30 fps). Deliver the file with timecode and burn-in frame if requested by the distributor.
Audio: 24-bit PCM, 48 kHz attached to the video file (or separate 24-bit 48 kHz audio files if required).
Colour & deliverables: provide a Rec.709 or Rec.2020 version depending on HDR usage; include a LUT and metadata for color space where applicable.

Web proxy for DSPs and YouTube

Codec: H.264 (MP4) or H.265 for higher efficiency (check platform acceptance).
Resolution: 3840x2160 for 4K uploads or 1920x1080 for Full HD. Bitrate: 35–45 Mbps for 4K, 8–12 Mbps for 1080p.
Audio: AAC-LC, 320 kbps, 48 kHz.
Include closed captions (.srt) and an accurate description with credits and links.

Short-form and vertical-first distribution are critical discovery channels. Repurpose the master edit to native aspect ratios and lengths.

Vertical: 1080x1920 (9:16) — create versions at 15s, 30s, 60s.
Square: 1080x1080 for feed posts.
Landscape: 1920x1080 for YouTube and Facebook embeds (use for longer trailers).
Codec: H.264 MP4 at 8–15 Mbps for 9:16; 10–20 Mbps for 1080p uploads.
Audio: AAC 128–256 kbps; 48 kHz.

Creative tips

Produce multiple hook points (first 3–5 seconds are vital).
Use captions (auto-captioning is unreliable). Burned captions increase watch time on silent autoplay feeds.
Design a 1–3 second brand card / end slate with streaming links and pre-save call-to-action.

Metadata, ISRC, UPC, and rights registration

Metadata errors are the most common reason releases get delayed or misattributed. Treat metadata like a legal document: accurate credits equal accurate royalty splits.

Must-have metadata fields

Artist display name (use consistent stylization across DSPs).
Track title and version tags (e.g., “(Radio Edit)”, “(Feat. Artist)”).
ISRC for each track, UPC/EAN for the release.
Composer/writer splits and publisher names.
Language, genre, explicit flag, and territory restrictions.
Lyric text and synchronized lyrics file where supported.

Rights & registrations

Register the recording with your PRO (performance royalties) and with collection agencies like SoundExchange (US digital performance) where applicable.
For mechanicals in the U.S., register compositions with the MLC. Globally, ensure publisher registrations are current with local mechanical societies.
Set up Content ID (YouTube) via your distributor for monetization and takedown protection — many creators that scaled direct revenue used tight Content ID workflows in case studies (see creator growth case studies).

Platform-specific notes (quick reference)

Spotify / Apple Music / Tidal

Deliver 24-bit WAV masters and accurate ISRCs/UPCs. Spatial audio often requires stems or ADM; coordinate early.
Make sure artwork follows each DSP’s cutout-safe and metadata standards (square, 3000x3000 px recommended).

YouTube / YouTube Music

Upload the ProRes master or a high-bitrate MP4. Attach an SRT caption file and a detailed description with track links and credits.
Claim Content ID and register with a distributor that handles YouTube monetization.

TikTok / Instagram Reels / Shorts

Vertical 9:16 exports. Prioritize 15–60s edits for promotional shorts and 2–3 minute trailers for deeper engagement.
Include captions and on-screen URLs or QR codes linking to pre-save pages.

Live streaming & album launch events

Live events are a powerful revenue and engagement tool. Plan the stream like a release asset: test, encode, caption, and archive.

Technical checklist for live streams

Encoder: OBS, vMix, or cloud encoders that support RTMPS or SRT for reliability.
Video: 1080p30 or 1080p60 if you have the bandwidth. Bitrate range: 4,500–9,000 kbps for 1080p. Keyframe: 2 seconds.
Audio: AAC-LC, 48 kHz, 128–320 kbps. Consider a dedicated stereo mix for streaming rather than the raw FOH mix.
Use backup streams and test the stream 24–48 hours before the event. Monitor end-to-end latency settings for chat interactions.

Monetization & engagement

Enable ticketing, tipping, or memberships on the platform you use (YouTube Super Chat, Twitch subs, third-party ticketing).
Use chapters, pinned links to merch and streaming links, and post-stream VODs with timestamps and CTAs.

Post-release: monitoring, claims, and analytics

After release, your priority is accurate reporting and revenue capture.

Confirm ISRC mapping in DSP reports and check that streams are credited to the right artist profile(s).
Monitor royalty reports from your distributor and cross-check with PRO and SoundExchange statements.
Collect first-week analytics and playlist placements — use them to inform the second-wave social push and playlist pitching for follow-up singles. Learn from creator growth stories such as How Goalhanger built 250k paying fans for monetization inspiration.
Archive all masters, stems, and metadata snapshots with timestamps for audit and future re-releases.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

Missing or incorrect ISRC/UPC: delays distribution and royalties. Solution: secure codes early and include them in your metadata spreadsheet.
Wrong loudness or true-peak clipping: causes DSP reprocessing. Solution: deliver -1 dBTP masters and provide loudness targets.
Late video delivery: music videos often have longer QC timelines. Solution: produce the video earlier in the calendar and supply web proxies for preview — follow cloud video workflow best practices like those in the cloud video workflow.
Inconsistent artist naming or credits: splits royalties and confuses discovery. Solution: enforce a canonical artist name and credit policy across releases.

Final consolidated deliverables checklist

Audio: 24-bit WAV masters (archive + distributor-ready), stems (24-bit WAV).
Metadata: ISRC per track, UPC/EAN for release, composer credits, publisher info, explicit flag.
Music video: ProRes master + MP4 web proxy + captions (.srt).
Social cuts: 9:16 (15/30/60s), 1:1 (feed), 16:9 (trailers).
Rights registration: PRO, MLC (U.S.), SoundExchange (US), Content ID claim.
Artwork: 3000x3000 (minimum), color-safe versions for thumbnails and social — treat physical artwork logistics like other creators do when shipping prints (how to pack and ship fragile art prints).
Live stream: encoder settings, RTMPS/SRT endpoints, backup stream, and rehearsal recording.
Distribution: confirmed ingestion receipts from DSPs with screenshots.

Wrapping up — the 2026 advantage

In 2026, success is about technical hygiene plus creative momentum. Spatial audio and short-form video continue to reward early adopters, while accurate metadata and ISRC management ensure you actually get paid. Treat the release like a product launch: iterate the creative assets, lock down the technical specs, and measure performance in the first 14 days to inform promotion cadence.

Quick resources

Master file template: 24-bit WAV, -1 dBTP, -14 LUFS.
Video master template: ProRes 422 HQ, 4K where possible, 24-bit/48 kHz audio.
Social export presets: 1080x1920 H.264 @ 10 Mbps, AAC 128–256 kbps.

Call to action

Ready to ship your next single or album with confidence? Download our printable, fillable Album Launch Deliverables Checklist and get platform-ready export presets at multi-media.cloud/checklists. If you want a hands-off option, try our 14-day trial to automate encoding, metadata validation, and multi-format delivery so your team can focus on creative launch strategies.

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