What format should the cover art be in?

The cover art should be a JPEG or PNG file, minimum 4000x4000 pixels at 300 DPI in RGB format - not CMYK. Please also make sure artwork is square - 1:1 aspect ratio. It's best to use the original digital source artwork.

What information is allowed on the cover art?

All artist names displayed on the cover art must also be listed in the metadata. No URLs (for instance, links to the artist's website or Facebook page) are allowed. Unauthorised use of corporate branding and logos is not permitted either.

Can I put 'iTunes version' or 'Digital version' on the cover art?

No. Apple does not allow the use of the word 'iTunes' on cover art, and the product should not refer to it being a digital version either.

Which audio formats do you accept? Is an MP3 OK?

You should prepare the audio as minimum 16bit / 44.1kHz WAV files. We only accept uncompressed audio files, so no MP3s.

Are there any other requirements for audio?

Remember that you are selling these tracks, so the audio must be of commercial quality. There should be no excessive silences at the start/end of a track, and there must be no technical glitches or distortion. Remember also that any samples used must be cleared by the original artist or their label. Please listen critically to your finished tracks before sending them to us, as any problems will delay distribution of your release.

I've made a video. Can I sell it on iTunes?

We can have videos encoded for iTunes. However, there is a cost involved please speak to your label manager.

What is metadata?

Metadata in this context refers to the important information about your release which we require to distribute it to the download stores. This includes track titles, artists and copyright information… and more!

What's a Barcode/UPC code? How do I get one?

UPC stands for Universal Product Code, it's essentially a barcode that identifies your release. We can assign these automatically (at a small charge) if you don't have your own.

What are ISRC codes? How do I get them?

ISRC stands for International Standard Recording Code. It's a unique identifier for a recording (not the song; different versions such as a Radio Edit and a Live version would have different codes). In order to get an ISR code you would need to be registered with PPL/VPL, this is something Absolute can do for you by contacting your label manager.

What does number of discs mean, in this context?

For a digital release, this is the number of virtual 'discs' (or playlists) the release contains. It does not refer to the number of CDs the physical release is distributed on. In most cases, in this context this will be one. A digital double disc release costs twice the standard pricing; three discs is three times the standard price etc.

What does Preview Time mean?

This is the point in a track (in seconds) that the audio preview on iTunes begins. As standard, customers can listen to 90 seconds of each song before purchasing if the track is over two and a half minutes. If it's less, then the preview length is reduced to 30 seconds. The preview will start at 45 seconds if this is left blank.

I chose a particular genre for my music, but it's been changed. Why?

Any genres specified are subject to approval by us and our store partners, and occasionally we may need to alter them to ensure your content is allocated to the most appropriate area of the store.

I've spotted a mistake in my submission. How do I amend it?

We absolutely recommend that you check everything thoroughly before sending it to us. Once uploaded, errors take a lot of time and energy to rectify. If you have discovered an error in your submission to us, please notify your label manager as soon as possible.

What does C Copyright mean?

This is the copyright for artwork relating to your release. It has nothing to do with the audio.

What does P Copyright mean?

This is the copyright of the sound recording. People often mistake it for the publisher information, to be clear it has nothing to do with the publishing credit.

Do I need permission to include samples of other peoples' music in mine?

Yes, you must obtain written permission from the rightsholder of the track you're sampling in order to 'clear' the sample. Without this, you are committing copyright infringement, which is against the law. We take this issue very seriously, and not only will this result in immediate termination of your agreement with Absolute but may also result in legal action from the rightsholder. If your music contains samples, you must provide proof of the relevant licence via email before submitting.