Releasing your first track

Before you start

You need three things ready:

Your audio file: WAV or FLAC, 16-bit or 24-bit, 44.1 kHz or higher, up to 500 MB per file. Stereo. No clipping. Master to streaming targets (around -14 LUFS integrated for Spotify; you don't need to hit it exactly).
Cover artwork: at least 1400 x 1400 pixels (3000 x 3000 recommended), square, JPG or PNG, RGB color, under 10MB. No URLs, no logos that look like other artists' logos, no contact info on the art.
Artist name decision: the name that goes on every DSP profile. Once your first release is live, this name is locked across all your future releases. Choose carefully.

Don't have a Spotify artist profile yet? Spotify creates one when your first release goes live. Connect it from Settings > Artist once it appears.

Step 1. Create the release

From your dashboard, go to Distribution and click New release.

You don't pick a format; NotNoise derives it from your track list using the standard DSP rules. Up to 3 tracks under 30 minutes total is a single, 4 to 6 tracks is an EP (a shorter track list can also classify as an EP once the runtime stretches past single length), and 7 or more tracks or anything over 30 minutes is an album. Add or remove tracks and the format updates automatically.

Step 2. Upload audio

Drag your audio file into the upload area (WAV or FLAC, up to 500 MB each). NotNoise inspects it: format, sample rate, bit depth, peaks, and approximate loudness. If anything fails validation, you'll see the specific issue and how to fix it before submitting.

Uploads process in the background, so you can fill in metadata while they run.

Step 3. Fill in metadata

The required fields:

Release title: the name listeners will see.
Primary artist: you. The artist name you've chosen.
Featured artist: only if someone else is featured on the track. Don't list yourself.
Primary genre: pick the closest match. This drives algorithmic placement on DSPs.
Language: the primary language of the lyrics, or Instrumental if there are no vocals.
Release date: the day your music goes live. Pick 3 to 4 weeks out so you have time to pitch editorially.

If you're confused on any field, see Release metadata, explained for the deep dive.

Step 4. Upload artwork

Drop your cover into the artwork slot (1400 x 1400 minimum; 3000 x 3000 recommended). NotNoise checks the dimensions and quality. If your file is undersized or low-resolution, you'll see the error before you can submit.

Step 5. Pick your release date

Most artists pick a Friday because that's the global new-release day on Spotify and Apple Music. Delivery takes under a week, but we recommend submitting 3 to 4 weeks ahead so you have time to pitch the release to editorial playlists in Spotify for Artists. Most stores want editorial pitches at least 2 weeks before release.

Step 6. Submit

Review the summary. Click Submit. NotNoise validates everything one more time and queues your release for delivery.

You can't edit metadata after submission. If you spot a typo, contact support@notnoise.co immediately and we'll pull it back.

What happens next

NotNoise validates your release, usually within a day. If we find issues, you get an email and the release shows Needs fixes.
Once approved, your release is sent to every DSP. The status shows In review until stores publish it.
Each DSP reviews and publishes at its own pace. YouTube Music typically takes about a day, most stores about two, and Spotify and Apple Music up to five.
Your release goes live on the date you picked. Smart Links auto-detect it across platforms.
Insights starts pulling streams and listener data within a few days of going live.

First-release mistakes to avoid

Picking a release date too soon. Submitting less than 2 weeks out means you've missed the Spotify editorial pitch window. Plan for 3 to 4 weeks.
Typos in artist name or title. These are very hard to fix after release. Triple-check capitalization, spacing, and accents.
Wrong primary artist. If you're a featured artist on someone else's track, the other person is the primary artist.
Low-resolution artwork. 1400 x 1400 minimum, 3000 x 3000 recommended. Don't upsample a smaller file. DSPs can reject it.
Mistagged genre. Pick the closest match. Spotify's algorithm uses genre to recommend your music to listeners.

Need to dig deeper? See Release metadata, explained for every field.

Request Beatport delivery

If this release needs Beatport, use the Beatport delivery card in the settings step. It opens a support email with the fields NotNoise needs. You can still submit the standard destinations while NotNoise support handles the Beatport request manually. See Stores we deliver to for the details.