Release Builder
What is a Release?
In the music industry, a "Release" refers to a commercialized digital and physical product.
What is Release Builder?
The "Releases Builder" in Reprtoir allows users to submit releases easily to distributors, aggregators, and streaming/download services. Reprtoir operates in two modes: automatic feeds and manual exports.
Automatic feeds enable users to distribute releases remotely from their Reprtoir accounts without accessing their client account in their Recipient's content management system. Manual feeds enable users to generate pre-formatted ZIP packages with pre-filled bulk upload spreadsheets, pre-named and formatted audio, and artwork files ready for uploading to the Recipient's content management system.
Reprtoir allows record labels to prepare metadata release packages quickly for music distributors such as Believe and The Orchard, saving time in the delivery process. Users can generate a ZIP archive, including a compliant metadata spreadsheet, audio tracks, and cover art for new releases. These files are fully compatible with default bulk upload tools and distributor requirements.
Releases List
Where can find the Releases List?
To display the Releases list, go to the navigation menu located at the left of the Workspace, click on the "Release Builder" icon, browse to the "Release Builder" section, and click on the "Releases" list.
The Releases List displays several columns by default, including:
| Column Name | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Artwork | The Artwork of the Release |
| Display Title | The Display Title of the Release |
| Status | The Status of the Release |
| Recipient | The Recipient of the Release |
| Errors | The Status of Errors detected in the Release |
| Delivery Type | The Delivery Type of the Release |
| Delivery Status | The Status of Delivery of the Release |
| Release Date | The Release Date of the Release |
| Creation Date | The Creation Date of the Release |
You can add or remove additional columns using the optional Custom Columns feature.
About the Release Status
There are several Release statuses:
| Status | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Draft | Status by default |
| Submitted | The release has been sent to the Recipient |
| Released | The release is available to the public |
| Taken Down | The release is no longer available to the public |
In the case of a manual feed, the Release Status is managed manually, except for the "Released" status, which is automatically updated by the Reprtoir system on the day of the digital Release date. Please note that in the case of a manual feed, modifying a status in Reprtoir does not affect statuses on the Recipient’s end.
In the case of an automatic feed, the Release Status is fully managed by Reprtoir. Please note that changing the status in the automatic flow directly impacts the status of your Release with your Recipient and its availability on DSPs.
Creating a Release
Releases can be created in multiple ways:
From the Releases list:
- Go to the Releases list and click on the "New Release" orange button in the top right corner
- Select an Album from the list
- Choose a Recipient
- Fill in the required metadata
- Click Save
From the Albums list:
- Go to the Albums list, select an Album, right-click and choose "Create new Release"
- Choose a Recipient
- Fill in the required metadata
- Click Save
From an Album panel:
- Open any Album, locate the "Edit" button in the upper right-hand corner of the Album panel, click on the arrow, and choose "Create a new Release" from the drop-down menu
- Choose a Recipient
- Fill in the required metadata
- Click Save
You can find your new Release in the Releases list at this step.
How to make the Release compatible with the Recipient's requirements?
Each Recipient has different submission requirements, and to be able to submit your Releases through Reprtoir, you will have to comply with those requirements.
To help you in this process, Reprtoir automatically detects erroneous or missing data and helps the user resolve any issues.
How to resolve errors?
- Click on the error quantity in red in the Release list’s "Errors" column or the Release panel. This will launch a sidebar on the right that lists errors you need to correct.
- Click on the "Make corrections" links and follow the instructions in each list one after the other. When possible, use mass editing to resolve multiple errors at once.
Once all the errors have been corrected, you can submit your Releases to your Recipient.
How to submit a Release to a Recipient?
Sending a Release to a Recipient depends on the level of integration of the Recipient with Reprtoir. Some Recipient feeds are manual, others are automated. Regardless of the method, you can send one or multiple Releases at a time.
Reprtoir fully manages automatic feeds. For instance, simply changing the Status of your Release will update it on the Recipient’s side.
For manual exports, a ZIP package including metadata, audio and artwork-compatible files with the Recipient's requirements will be generated from Reprtoir. The user will then need to go upload these files in the Recipient's content management system.
Here are the steps to accomplish this once your Releases are valid for distribution:
- Click on the "Export files (ZIP)" link in the "Recipient" column or in the Release panel. Alternatively, you can also select multiple Releases from the Releases list, right-click and choose "Export files (ZIP)" link.
- Download the ZIP package from the notification center or from the email you received
- Unzip the package ("releases.zip") on your desktop
- Follow the instructions in the Recipient’s content management system to upload metadata, audio, and cover files and finalize the submission
Out of Sync
Except for adding or removing Tracks, reordering tracklistings, or modifying UPCs and ISRCs, you can revise any metadata, audio, or artwork files on Album or Release. If you do any modifications, an alert "Out of Sync" will be displayed in the Release list "Status" column. Any changes to your releases will be logged in their "Metadata History" tab.
What does “Out of Sync” mean?
The "Out of sync" icon appears in the status column of your Releases list when you have modified a Release that has already been previously submitted to a Recipient. This icon indicates that the data you sent to the Recipient differs from what you have in your Reprtoir account.
Manual exports
One of the technical limitations of manual feeds if that the data cannot be automatically synchronized with the Recipient. You will have to carry out the corrections manually in the Recipient’s content management system, then click on the "Remove Warning" button (hover over the "Out of sync" icon) to report that this has been done.
Automatic feeds
For automatic feeds, the data is automatically synchronized between Reprtoir and the Recipient. However, you will have to confirm the submission of the modifications to the Recipient by clicking on the "Submit update" button (hover over the "Out of sync" icon).
About Metadata History
Metadata History automatically logs all the metadata modifications brought to a Release. This allows you to review changes made to your release in case one of your collaborators made mistakes while preparing Releases. To access this log, go to any Release panel and then click on the "Metadata History" tab.
About the Delivery History
The Delivery History automatically logs all Status modifications of a Release. To access this log, go to any Release panel and click on the "Delivery History" tab.
Updated almost 2 years ago