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Uploading Audio Files

In order to upload your music properly to TuneCore, we recommend all audio files be 24 bit (sample size) with 192 kHz (sample rate) .WAV files, but 16 bit (sample size) with 44.1 kHz (sample rate) .WAV files are also accepted.

 

If you are exporting from a recording program or importing (also known as "ripping") the audio from a CD into iTunes, you can change the settings of your export to be .wav, 24 bit (sample size), 192 kHz (sample rate), 1411 kbps (bit rate), stereo mode (Recommended) or .wav, 16 bit (sample size), 44.1 kHz (sample rate), 1411 kbps (bit rate), stereo mode (Accepted, but not recommended).

 

To help ensure error-free uploading, we recommend downloading the latest version of your web browser (ex: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, etc).

 

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I RECEIVE AN ERROR WHILE UPLOADING MY AUDIO FILE?

Once you have filled out all required metadata fields within the song details section, you will save your track and be prompted to upload your audio file. If you receive an error message when uploading your audio file, we recommend the following: 

  1. Be sure your audio files are in the following recommended format: .wav, 24 bit (sample size), 192 kHz (sample rate), 1411 kbps (bit rate), stereo mode
    1. We also accept files in the following format: 16 bit (sample size) with 44.1 kHz (sample rate), 1411 kbps (bit rate), stereo mode
  2. Please make sure you are uploading from a computer (You will not be able to upload from a mobile device or tablet)
  3. Please make sure that you have downloaded the latest version of your web browser (i.e. Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Google Chrome, etc)
  4. Restart your browser and try uploading again
  5. If that doesn't work, you may need to convert your audio files (see below)

 

HOW TO CONVERT YOUR AUDIO FILES WITH ITUNES

Important: Your audio must meet the format specifications below to go live in the digital stores. You, the content holder, are responsible for properly formatting your content.

Follow these instructions to convert your audio to the recommended .wav, 24 bit (sample size), 192 kHz (sample rate), 1411 kbps (bit rate), stereo mode WAV files in iTunes before you upload to TuneCore:

  1. Open the Music application (Mac) or iTunes application (PC) on your computer.
  2. Search for your song(s) in your iTunes Music Library and highlight it (do this by clicking once on the song).
  3. Go to Preferences (On a Mac, this is under the iTunes drop down menu. On a PC, iTunes Version 10 or older, this is under the Edit drop down menu. On a PC, iTunes Version 11, this is under the square icon on the top left of your iTunes window).
  4. Once you've clicked Preferences, make sure you are on the General tab. Go down to where it says Import Settings (if you have an older version of iTunes, you may have to click where it says Advanced and then click on Import Settings).
  5. Change Import Using to WAV Encoder. Then click to change Setting to Custom and a new window will open.
  6. In the Custom window, change the Sample Rate to 192 kHz and Sample Size to 24 bit. Make sure Channels says Stereo and Stereo Mode says Normal. Then continue clicking OK until you are back to your iTunes library.
  7. With your song title(s) still highlighted, right click and select Create WAV version. Your song(s) will immediately begin converting.  If you have a newer version of iTunes you may need to go to File, click Convert and "Create WAV Version"
  8. Once the song has finished converting, you will see that the highlighted song(s) is the old version. We recommend you drag the newly converted file(s) (not highlighted) to a folder on your desktop directly from the iTunes library so you will be able to find it later.

 

You can now upload your new audio file(s) to TuneCore!

 

NOTE: If you're using an audio-converting website that is not professional software or iTunes, we strongly recommend that you convert your audio again in iTunes afterward to the required format. Other programs can often embed hidden coding within your audio files, which will likely make the files unrecognizable by the digital stores and cause your release to be rejected.

 

Why is uploading so slow?

The speed of uploading highly depends on the type of internet connection you have and the size of your file, so these can both be factors.

To help ensure smoother uploading, we recommend downloading the latest version of your web browser (ex: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, etc).

 

Can I include embedded metadata in my audio file?

The stores do not accept embedded metadata when receiving content. When you upload your music to TuneCore, unfortunately, no attached embedded metadata is sent to the stores. You manually type in the album title, artist name, song name, etc when you upload your content to TuneCore. That information that you manually enter is what appears in the digital music stores for your album.

Embedding any metadata may cause issues in delivery. Please avoid embedding anything in your files.

 

What is Dolby Atmos Audio?

Dolby Atmos is an immersive audio format that empowers music creators to design new experiences for listeners by precisely positioning audio channels within a three-dimensional sound field. Dolby Atmos opens up an entirely new palette for creative exploration beyond the conventional, two-channel audio limitations, providing clarity, space, and depth.

Click here to learn how to create Dolby Atmos, where TuneCore delivers it, and how to listen to it.

 

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