FAQ
Frequently asked QuestionsIn this page we solve any question you might have regarding the service that Beatclap offers you.
AUDIO PRODUCTS
Configuration
What is a project?
A project is a folder that contains all relevant content to a certain work; let it be a single, pre-album releases or an album itself.
What is a product?
A product, formerly known as a release, is a collection of one or more songs (single or album) that are released together and with the same cover.
What is a seal?
A seal is the name under which a work is edited. This is usually the name of your label. If you don’t have one, your label will be Beatclap.
What is an ISRC?
The International Standard Recordings Code, or ISRC, is a 12-character alphanumeric code that uniquely and permanently identifies a sound recording or music video. If you previously created this same track in a different product, then you will already have an ISRC for this track, and you must reuse that ISRC. Once you submit a product, your ISRCs can no longer be changed.
I don’t have a the ISRC code, what should I do?
The International Standard Recordings Code, or ISRC, is a 12-character alphanumeric code that uniquely and permanently identifies a sound recording or music video. If you previously created this same track in a different product, then you will already have an ISRC for this track, and you must reuse that ISRC. Once you submit a product, your ISRCs can no longer be changed.
What are the image requirements for the content cover?
The Beatclap image specification is:
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TIF (.tiff) or JPEG (.jpg or .jpeg) format
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Minimum of 3000 x 3000 pixels and maximum of 6000 x 6000 pixels
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RGB color
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Square
Please remove any crop marks, references to physical packaging, text, or promotional language from your cover image. Only the artist name and the album name can appear as text. In addition, you must have the commercial rights to the image.
How long before my release shall I upload my content?
Beatclap normally recommends inserting audio releases 4 weeks before the release date. Please note that delivery times may vary from one store to another.
What is the © symbol?
The copyright symbol (C) refers to the total package of the product (that is, the compilation / order of the tracks, the visual material, the text used, etc.). It is followed by the date it was first created, which is generally the same year as the launch.
How do I indicate territorial restrictions for my launch?
If you have territorial restrictions and have sold your rights to a country or continent (for example, the Asian market), you must specify it in the Territorial Restrictions box that appears during your upload.
What stores do you deliver song lyrics to?
At this time, the lyrics of the songs are delivered to Apple Music, Tidal and Instagram. However, any entered letters will be stored and sent to other platforms, such as Spotify or Deezer, when they enable delivery
How do I format my lyrics?
Apple provides this list of what to do and what not to do when entering song lyrics: iTunes Standards
In what languages should I enter my song lyrics?
Lyrics can be entered in all international languages and characters.
Track upload
What are the accepted audio specifications?
The standard Beatclap audio specification is:
• Formato WAV (.wav)
• 16 bits o 24 bits
• 44.1 kHz
• Códec PCM de Microsoft
• Estéreo
Our complete list of accepted formats is:
• WAV (.wav) y FLAC (.flac):
• 16 bits: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz
• 24 bits: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz
Apple Lossless (.m4a):
• Solo 16 bits / 44.1 kHz
Please do not upload different bit length versions (a combination of 16 bit and 24 bit tracks in the same version).
To ensure proper quality, get your audio directly from a master production export. Audio files created from a compressed format (eg MP3, AAC, or WMA) will have lower sound quality and are therefore not optimal.
Are there length or track limits?
The time limitations vary from one store to another, but in principle, they are:
• 10 hour launch duration limit
• 250 track limit
Note that it takes longer to distribute titles with longer durations to stores that accept them.
Why is there an error when I try to upload two versions of the same track?
Two tracks cannot have the same track name and version, and must be differentiated otherwise. If you’ve accidentally loaded the same track twice, this duplication error helps you figure it out. Otherwise, if the tracks are different versions, you must differentiate them in the metadata. For example, add a description in the Version field such as “Smoke On The Water” and “Smoke On The Water (Instrumental)” or add the name of an artist or remixer.
My audio track could not be loaded. What should I do?
First, try reloading the track in one of two ways:
• Delete the track and start a new load
• Click on the track you want to edit and use the reload button
In case you need more assistance, contact us at support@beatclap.com
What can I do to increase loading time?
In addition to improving Internet speed, you can cut loading time by almost half by exporting your audio as an .M4A file, which is almost half the size of a standard WAV file. If you use this option the encoder must be configured in Apple Lossless (not AAC). Both encoders can be saved with an .M4A extension, but Beatclap only accepts 16-bit, 44.1kHz Apple Lossless .M4A files.
Stores and Platforms
What streaming services does Beatclap distribute to?
These are the streaming stores to which Beatclap distributes digital audio. This being said, we live in a process of constant updating to keep your music at the digital forefront. The availability of these services may vary according to the territory.
7 Digital
Akazoo
Amazon Music
Anghami
AWA
Beatport
Boomplay
Claro Música
Deezer
Dubset
Facebook Rights Manager
Google Play
Gracenote
IHeart
IMI Mobile
ITunes
KDigital Media
Kkbox
Mix Cloud
MonkingMe
Napster
NetEase Cloud Music
Pandora
Resso
Rhapsody
Saavn
Shazam
Soundcloud
Spinlet
Spotify
Tencent
Tidal
TikTok
UMA United Media Agency
Xiaomi Music
Yandex
Youtube Audio Content ID
Youtube Music
Zvooq
How long will it take for my music to be available?
If you set a specific sales start date in your user area with the appropriate anticipation time, your launch should be available at 00:00 on the established date. Otherwise, your release should be released 2-3 weeks from the date you submitted it to Beatclap. In some cases, releases can be available in a matter of days.
I requested updates or changes to my title. Why haven’t they happened?
After you request the update or changes of a product or track, Beatclap will take care of sending said review to the store (s). However, stores do have final control over the release reviews, and update times vary from service to service. Spotify, for example, requires 3 business days for updates. If more than a week goes by after your request, contact Beatclap by email at support@beatclap.com; attaching links to the place where your changes should be.
Can I choose the price in digital stores for my album?
Pricing in your user area offers the option of choosing the different Beatclap price levels, which are “Low”, “Medium” and “High”. We recommend choosing the “Medium” option.
How can I specify variable prices for different stores?
Contact us at support@beatclap.com before uploading.
Library admin
What is the UPC of my account?
The UPC is the numbering that appears in the barcode of each physical disk. If it does not, Beatclap will assign one to you.
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre los estados “Enviado”, “En Corrección” y “Rechazado”?
A Product will be marked as “Sent” once you have successfully loaded a complete product and have completed all steps in submitting your product for distribution. After Beatclap finishes processing the product, it will be moved to your catalog and delivered to stores.
A product is marked “In Progress” when you start editing a product within your catalog. You can edit the basic concepts of the product, as well as any information related to the track (including the audio) for any release that is previously included in your catalog. The product status will change to “Sent” once you successfully complete any modifications you made to the product.
A product is marked “Rejected” if it has not met the requirements of the leading merchant’s style guides or our content guidelines. Compliance with metadata standards helps avoid delays in deliveries or payments. Click on the product to see the full rejection message along with an explanation of the steps you can take to ensure your product meets our requirements. The product status will change to “Sent” once all necessary corrections have been made and you have resubmitted the title for processing / approval.
I found a typing error on one of my products. How do I change this?
Write to us at support@beatclap.com and specify the error as clearly as possible.
How do I delete a product that I have not yet sent in my user area?
To delete a product not yet shipped, simply search for it in your launch catalog and click on the trash can on the right of it.
Can I use a third-party service to increase views on streaming services?
While resorting to additional marketing techniques is beneficial and encouraged, some third-party services use digital bots or “click farms” to generate results. This method of pay-per-views is not recommended on streaming platforms as it can be considered fraudulent if identified from Spotify. This could lead to the permanent complete removal of your catalog from the platform. We would recommend that you avoid any company that promises you a specific number of reproductions at all costs.
What information can I consult about the sales and statistics of my product?
Beatclap statistics include the following information:
• Reproductions of your products segmented by platforms.
• Royalties generated by your products segmented by platforms.
• Reproductions of your products segmented by months.
• Royalties generated by your products segmented by months.
• Reproductions of your products segmented by artist.
• Royalties generated by your products segmented by artist.
How do I remove a shipped product from my catalog?
If you lose the rights to a product or simply want to remove it, contact Beatclap at support@beatclap.com indicating which release you would like to remove.
How can I change the release date of one of my albums after submitting it to Beatclap?
It is not recommended to change a release date after shipment. Stores may not process the new release date before the original sale date they already received, so the launch will be available on this first date.
If you still want to change the release date, contact Beatclap at support@beatclap.com indicating which release you would like to change and the new release date.
Why does iTunes not display the correct metadata for my CD?
iTunes uses a tuning service called Gracenote to populate metadata when a CD is inserted into a computer. The Gracenote database continues to be updated by companies and private users every day. For this reason, Beatclap does not control what metadata iTunes extracts from Gracenote.
Rights management
What is the symbol ℗?
The Phonographic Rights Line, also known as the Sound Recording Copyright Symbol, Line (P) or Notice ℗, provides a copyright ownership notice of a sound recording. It consists of the year the sound recording was first released, plus the name of the entity that originally owned the sound master recording. For example: “1997 Name of Original Copyright Owner”.
What does owning the master rights to a sound recording mean?
The owner of the “master” rights is the one who has the right to claim the royalties that have been collected by various organizations after the use of the sound “master” recording.
How do I know who owns the master rights to my album?
Master’s rights usually belong to the entity that financed the original recording of a song, generally a record label if it has one, or the band itself in the case of self-publishing. The original primary copyright owner may sell, license, or authorize the collection of master’s royalties from other parties. This can be done worldwide, or within a specific set of territories.
If you are not sure you have ownership of a song, contact your record label administrator. Incorrectly managing the ownership of your master’s rights can lead to property conflicts with third-party service providers or loss of revenue from unclaimed royalties.
What uses of a sound recording get royalties from master's rights?
Master’s rights grant the holder the ability to collect royalties from a digital service provider when their sound recording is used in user-generated audiovisual content, such as when a sound recording is used as background music within a YouTube video uploaded by a user.
Master’s rights also allow rights holders to collect “performance rights” royalties (also called “related rights” royalties) generated from public performances and broadcasting. These royalties are collected and paid by copyright organizations present worldwide.
What is a public interpretation?
A public performance is not, as is commonly believed, a representation of a group at a concert. Public performances occur when a sound recording is played in a place open to the general public, such as bars, restaurants, nightclubs, or any place where a considerable number of people gather, such as a soccer field. This does not include the “use” of a sound recording within the circles of friends or family.
Public performances also include cable television, radio and any other transmission of a sound recording. These sources vary according to the local copyright laws of each territory.
Why does Beatclap need to know the country of recording when I own the rights to my songs?
In order for royalties to be charged for a track, many performance rights organizations require that we declare the country where the recording sessions were held. This is because the country of registration may affect the calculation of royalties owed to a right holder.
Why does Beatclap need to know the nationality of the original owner of the master?
Some rights organizations pay fixed fees (or do not pay royalties) to rights holders located in certain territories. Hence, certain countries do not participate in the Rome Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organizations. Choose the country where the original primary copyright owner was at the time of recording. This can be an individual, band or a commercial (record) entity.
If I am the owner of a record label, and it is registered for the collection of royalties for performance rights, why am I required to add track artist information?
For all tracks released after January 1, 2016, at least one performer dataset must be completed (per track) in order for us to collect performance royalty royalties.
The “complete set” of interpreter data includes the “type” of interpreter (primary, secondary, or accompaniment), the interpreter’s legal name, and the role / instrument played by the interpreter during recording.
Performers are currently not displayed on the platforms and it is confidential information.
Translations
In which stores will Translations be visible?
Currently, translations are only visible on iTunes and Apple Music. Everything will depend on the language of the user’s operating system and the language of the store.
How many languages do translations support?
We support up to 47 languages (the complete list is provided by iTunes).
Why can't I use parallel translations?
Parallel translations are not allowed, except for Korean content. You must use the Translation fields for all others.
My language has non-Latin characters. Can I do a transcript instead?
Your native language field must use the original non-Latin character set (such as Hebrew, Cyrillic), and the transcript can go to the English Translation field.
I have a non-western artist with a local name and an international name. What should I do?
You must add the local and international names as two main interpreters and Principal Artists and specify the case in the Special Instructions box found in the Basic Information section.
How many Translations can I add?
You can add up to 5 for each product.
Can I use an online translation tool like Google Translate?
We do not recommend using Google Translate or similar tools for translations, as they are not reliable. If your translations are not accurate, they can be sanctioned, delayed or hidden from the store.
Some of my songs are in mixed language. What should I do?
You don’t need to do anything; they will remain as they are, untranslated.
My release was originally in a language, but I would like to change it. Can I do it?
No. All metadata must be provided in the native language of the content. For example, if your album is originally in French then that should be the primary language for your translations.
VIDEO PRODUCTS
Configuration
What are the technical characteristics for my music videos?
Below, we provide our music video delivery requirements. These specifications are designed according to the requirements of our business partners, so they must be followed precisely. Videos that do not follow these guidelines will be rejected.
As a certified encoding provider to the world’s leading video stores, we must ensure the highest possible video quality through professional post-production practices. Meeting the following requirements will ensure that your videos pass quality control. These requirements are based on the strict standards of our business partners.
Video Format Options
• Apple Pro Res 422 (HQ)
• Apple Pro Res 422
• Apple Pro Res 422 (LT)
• Apple Pro Res 4444
• Avid DNxHD
• Sin compresión de 8 o 10 bits
• H.264
* All must be in a .MOV format. If the videos are not available in the preferred formats mentioned above.
Content Requirements
• Audio must be delivered in stereo, either 16-bit 48,000 kHz PCM audio or AAC audio.
• Release names must be accurately labeled, eg. Eg Video with Lyrics, Audio Only, Live, Behind the Camera, etc.
• Must be exported from the edit timeline or captured directly into this format from the uncompressed master file.
• Original format (eg NTSC or PAL) as well as resolution, frame rate and original / master interlacing system.
• Videos cannot be optimized from compressed media (eg H.264, MP4, DV, MPG, WMV) and cannot be derived from DVD, miniDV, or other consumer level formats.
• It must contain at least one black frame at the beginning and one at the end, but not more than 1 second.
• No URL, social media identifiers (Facebook, Twitter or Instagram), watermarks, bugs, DVD logos, promotional intros, release dates, websites, color bars, clapperboards, countdown, ads.
• No artifacts, technical problems, compression gradients, color change or other imperfections.
• For reference, typical file sizes for music videos range from 0.5GB to 3GB.
Common Reasons for Quality Control Rejections
• Audio in Mono.
• Video is upconverted from a standard definition source.
• Pixels are visible on the diagonals.
• The video has duplicate or combined frames.
• The resolution width of the video is less than 720 pixels.
• The video has technical problems, missing frames, or audio interruptions.
• Video shows signs of compression, arrives on DVD video or on a non-H.264 compressed codec.
• Release date information.
• URLs (this includes Facebook, Twitter or Instagram identifiers).
* If the quality or content of the music video does not meet the standards to be sold by the Download Buy stores, it will be processed for streaming-only stores.
* Download Buy stores do not accept pseudo music videos, such as Audio Only, Behind the Scenes, Promotions, etc.
What are the artwork requirements for music video submissions?
Artwork cannot be sent together with music videos.
Why is my music video being rejected?
The most likely causes for rejected videos are:
• Compressed signals (as for web use)
• Reduced resolution (for example, 640 pixels wide)
• Titles / credits burned in the image
• Mono audio
• Duplicate or combined frames (result of interleaved or mixed frames)
• Tape defects or technical video problems
Why is my content being rejected?
The most likely causes for content rejection are:
• Included content that is not allowed by iTunes and Vevo
• Advertising cards and clapperboards at the beginning of the video
• Advertising cards and clapperboards at the end of the video.
• Release dates or announcements
• Damaged logos
• URL, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram username (hashtags are valid)
• Commercial or physical digital / call buttons / DSP buttons
• End Cards for YouTube Annotations
• Unsolicited content with brand attribution that goes beyond the placement of natural products
What is the difference between the states ``Sent``, ``In Progress” and ``Rejected``?
A Product will be marked as “Sent” once you have successfully loaded a complete product and have completed all steps in submitting your product for distribution. After Beatclap finishes processing the product, it will be moved to your catalog and delivered to stores.
A product is marked “In Progress” when you start editing a product within your catalog. You can edit the basic concepts of the product, as well as any information related to the track (including the audio) for any release that is previously included in your catalog. The product status will change to “Sent” once you successfully complete any modifications you made to the product.
A product is marked “Rejected” if it has not met the requirements of the leading merchant’s style guides or our content guidelines. Compliance with metadata standards helps avoid delays in deliveries or payments. Click on the product to see the full rejection message along with an explanation of the steps you can take to ensure your product meets our requirements. The product status will change to “Sent” once all necessary corrections have been made and you have resubmitted the title for processing / approval.
Distribution
How will Beatclap distribute my music video?
If you have the rights to your music videos, and meet our technical requirements, we will accept your music videos for distribution. In addition to accepting standard music videos (i.e. short videos to complement singles) we also distribute:
• Live recorded videos if it is a complete song and includes “(live)” after the song title in the release name.
• Promotions, artist interviews and “Behind the scenes” video reports can be sent exclusively to video streaming platforms and must include “(Promo)”, “(Interview)” or “(Behind the scenes Cameras) ”after the song’s title.
• Video-lyric can be sent exclusively to video streaming platforms and must include “(Audio)” following the song title in the release name.
Where will my streaming music videos be available?
We work with major distributors including iTunes / Apple Music, Tidal, Microsoft Xbox, Vevo, and YouTube Music. We work daily to incorporate those platforms that are soon to join the video distribution.
How am I going to earn money with my videos?
We monetize the videos that are accepted by the platforms through a variety of methods, including advertising in the streaming display, payment for online downloads and other streaming playback methods.
Publishing
What is a mechanical license?
The mechanical license is the necessary license that distributors or commercials must obtain from composers, lyricists or publishers to sell music.
What is a management entity?
Managing entities are companies that manage “mechanical” profits to composers, writers, or publishers. They are responsible for collecting and transferring the profits to the authors.
Which organizations collect publication royalties?
Copyright societies (such as SGAE in Spain, ASCAP in the US or GEMA in Germany)
Righst management
How do I sign up for the Beatclap Royalty Collection Service?
There’s no necessary registration.
What do the abbreviations PD stand for?
PD stands for “Public Domain”; referring to music that is no longer protected by intellectual property laws, such as copyrights and trademarks. Anyone can use this music without obligation to pay the former owners of intellectual property, such as authors or artists.
* Note: Beatclap may not agree to distribute Public Domain content to stores.
What uses of a sound recording get royalties from master's rights?
Master’s rights grant the holder the ability to collect royalties from a digital service provider when their sound recording is used in user-generated audiovisual content, such as when a sound recording is used as background music within a YouTube video uploaded by a user.
Master’s rights also allow rights holders to collect “performance rights” royalties (also called “related rights” royalties) generated from public performances and broadcasting. These royalties are collected and paid by copyright organizations present worldwide.
What is the symbol ℗?
The Phonographic Rights Line, also known as the Sound Recording Copyright Symbol, Line (P) or Notice ℗, provides a copyright ownership notice of a sound recording. It consists of the year the sound recording was first released, plus the name of the entity that originally owned the sound master recording. For example: “1997 Name of Original Copyright Owner”.
Where does Beatclap raise money for this format?
Beatclap collects money from commercials (digital, mobile, physical, video, etc.), synchronizations, public performances, and broadcasts through related rights.
What is a cover version?
A cover version is an original song that is re-recorded by another performer.
What is a public interpretation?
A public performance is not, as is commonly believed, a representation of a group at a concert. Public performances occur when a sound recording is played in a place open to the general public, such as bars, restaurants, nightclubs, or any place where a considerable number of people gather, such as a soccer field. This does not include the “use” of a sound recording within the circles of friends or family.
Public performances also include cable television, radio and any other transmission of a sound recording. These sources vary according to the local copyright laws of each territory.
YouTube
FALTA
We provide video and audio content to YouTube from our official Vevo channel; publishing video-tracks with cutting-edge movement and an exclusive design created by our image and SEO team. We make video content available on the platform, while providing fingerprint content used by YouTube to recognize your music in videos uploaded by other users on the platform (also known as user-generated content or “UGC”).
What is Beatclap's image commitment to YouTube?
We provide video and audio content to YouTube from our official Vevo channel; publishing video-tracks with cutting-edge movement and an exclusive design created by our image and SEO team. We make video content available on the platform, while providing fingerprint content used by YouTube to recognize your music in videos uploaded by other users on the platform (also known as user-generated content or “UGC”).
What does YouTube do when it identifies videos that contain audio from your products?
When the YouTube system recognizes that a video contains music from a Beatclap band, an automatic email is sent to the person who uploaded the video; notifying them that their video contains a Beatclap-controlled track and claims the content. YouTube then applies the Beatclap policy: monetize or block.
If you want to block a video, contact us at support@beatclap.com . Otherwise, the video will start monetizing by default. Two automated processes will occur:
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YouTube will place an ad next to the video and transfer your share of your advertising revenue to you through Beatclap.