GUIDE RELEASING

What is a master recording (and who owns it)?

A practical walkthrough of a first release — from the master file on your desktop to a live release everywhere. Written for artists who have never distributed before; no jargon left unexplained.

01

Prepare your master

Export the final mix as an uncompressed WAV — 24-bit / 48kHz is the delivery standard. Listen to the whole file once, start to finish, on headphones and on a phone speaker. Check the start and end for clicks, and leave no accidental silence at either end.

Uncompressed WAV, 24-bit / 48kHz
Full listen-through on two devices
No clipping, clicks or trailing silence
02

Artwork that passes review

Artwork requirements vary by destination. Confirm the current file, colour, text and logo rules before delivery.

3000×3000 px, RGB
Readable at thumbnail size
No platform logos, handles or URLs
03

Metadata & codes

Metadata is how the world finds you: artist name spelled exactly the same way every release, the real title with no decoration, the correct language and genre tags. Identifier codes — ISRC for the recording, UPC for the release — are assigned during onboarding; you do not need to buy them anywhere.

✦ Spelling drift is the most common first-release mistake — “Human decision”, “LaylaNoor” and “Layla N.” become three different artists in the stores.
04

Choose your release date

Give yourself runway. A date several weeks out leaves room for review, delivery and pitching before day one. Align the date with anything you control — a video, a show, a post series — so the release lands with support rather than alone.

05

Apply for your invite

Mazufa is invite-only. Complete applications enter a human-review queue subject to capacity. Submitting never creates an account; approved applicants may receive a private onboarding invitation.

06

After approval

Once onboarded, an eligible release is prepared to current destination specifications. Available reporting depends on platform data and account access.

TERMS USED IN THIS GUIDE
ISRC

An ISRC identifies a recording; reporting and royalty coverage depend on each platform and agreement.

UPC

The barcode of your release — one per single, EP or album.

DSP

Digital Service Provider — a music service such as Spotify, Apple Music or Anghami, subject to current availability.

PAGE CONTENT
Home Master Recording

Your master is your specific recorded version of a song — and it's the asset that earns streaming royalties. Who owns the master owns the income. Here's what it means, and how to make sure that's you.

The basics

Master vs composition

Every song has two sides: the composition (the written song — melody and lyrics) and the master (the actual recording, tied to its ISRC). The master is what plays on Spotify, so it earns the recording royalties. Historically, labels owned artists' masters. Today, as an independent artist, you can keep yours.

Own your master

retain rights and royalty treatment subject to the applicable agreement with a distributor

Because a distributor doesn't take ownership Mazufa pricing, eligible services, fees, deductions, ownership and royalties follow the current plan and applicable agreement.

Questions

Frequently asked

What is a master recording?

A master is your specific recorded version of a song — the actual audio that streams on platforms. It's tied to an ISRC and earns the recording royalties.

What's the difference between a master and the composition?

The composition is the underlying song (melody and lyrics); the master is the particular recording of it. They can be owned separately and earn different royalties.

Who owns the master recording?

Whoever paid for and controls the recording — historically labels, but independent artists keep their own masters. With Mazufa you retain ownership and royalty treatment under the applicable agreement.

Why is owning your master important?

The master earns the streaming royalties and unlocks sync and licensing deals. Owning it means that income and control stay with you.

Does distributing give away my master?

No. A distributor only delivers your music. With Mazufa you keep royalties under the applicable plan and agreement.

Start now

Own your master — retain rights and royalty treatment subject to the applicable agreement.

Review the current plan and applicable agreement. Subject to eligibility and platform review.

Your first single starts here

One invite application, reviewed by a human. Bring the master, the artwork and the story.

Apply for Invite ♪