Change Distros Procedure: more details would beneficiate everyone

[1km]

Hello.

I’m currently with different distros but am considering migrating everything to iMusician. The problem regarding transferring tracks from one distro to another may be augmented in certain cases, hence my questions.

1. The order of the maneuver is not so clear. iMusician requires the tracks to be taken down first before rerelease (i.e 2 to 4 weeks in advance). But you’ll find many people on R*ddit saying that they’re better off doing the contrary. BTW, Carlos’ answer on this post (Transferring from another distributor to iMusician - #2 by Andi) seems to imply that some overlapping is necessary. So, this 2-4 week delay might be moot. Things are not clear.
2. It’s often said that Audio files and Artworks on rerelease should be the exact same as those uploaded on first release. Is this infallibly true?
3. If so, another problem is of concern to me: some distro I use requires flac files… while iMusician only takes wav files. Will this create a conflict since I obviously can’t upload the original files as is. Same with artwork if my former distros accepted png while iMusician only takes jpg…
4. Last thing: T*necore for example requires the audio files to be free from any metadata. But, like some (many?) people, I’m used to including my irsc code as a metadata in my audio file when distro allows. Will this be one more incompatibility with uploading my initial audio file if no metadata is tolerated by iMusician…

So, sorry for making this post so long, but precise answers would be welcome, especially from people having successfully transitioned from one distro to iMusician.

Thank you so much.

[Andi]

hi @1km , I’m forwarding this to @Carlos from the Team so he can explain this to you in detail

[Carlos]

Hey @1km,

@1km

The order of the maneuver is not so clear.

1. Create the release(s) on your iMusician dashboard and submit your order.
2. Get a confirmation from your former distributor(s) that the release(s) will be removed from the shops at least 5 days after the iMusician upload.

@1km

It’s often said that Audio files and Artworks on rerelease should be the exact same as those uploaded on first release. Is this infallibly true?

Yes. Everything needs to match exactly with the initial release.

@1km

If so, another problem is of concern to me: some distro I use requires flac files… while iMusician only takes wav files. Will this create a conflict since I obviously can’t upload the original files as is. Same with artwork if my former distros accepted png while iMusician only takes jpg…

As long a you convert the exact same files (so no modifications to the image or recording itself) then that’s fine.

@1km

Will this be one more incompatibility with uploading my initial audio file if no metadata is tolerated by iMusician…

As far as I know that’s not a problem on our end.

Best regards,

[1km]

@Carlos

• Create the release(s) on your iMusician dashboard and submit your order.
• Get a confirmation from your former distributor(s) that the release(s) will be removed from the shops at least 5 days after the iMusician upload.

Then, would it not be more simple to create the release with you and wait for 5 days before taking down the previous release from the previous distro?
That would sure be a 5 day overlap at a minimum but iMusician would be at the receiving end, i.e up to the guidelines of the present thread.
Thank you.

[Carlos]

@1km

Then, would it not be more simple to create the release with you and wait for 5 days before taking down the previous release from the previous distro?

Yes, that’s what I said you should do

Best regards,