There are millions of recordings sitting on CDs, tapes, hard drives and old download stores that have never reached modern streaming platforms.

For artists and labels, digitising that catalogue can create a new long-term asset.

Prioritise the catalogue

Do not immediately digitise everything.

Rank recordings by:

  • historical importance;
  • fan demand;
  • rights clarity;
  • audio quality;
  • commercial potential.

Start with the strongest material.

Find the best source

Use the highest-quality source available.

Preference might be:

  1. Original digital master
  2. Studio/mastering archive
  3. High-quality physical master
  4. CD
  5. Consumer copy

Avoid making a low-quality MP3 your permanent streaming master if better audio exists somewhere.

Transfer physical recordings properly

Old:

  • tape;
  • vinyl;
  • DAT;
  • MiniDisc;

may require specialist equipment.

For valuable catalogue, professional archival transfer can be worthwhile.

Restore carefully

Potential restoration includes:

  • noise reduction;
  • click removal;
  • level correction;
  • tape repair.

Do not destroy the character of the original recording by over-processing it.

Audit the rights

Confirm:

  • master ownership;
  • writers;
  • producers;
  • samples;
  • features;
  • label agreements;
  • territory restrictions.

A 30-year-old recording can have a complicated ownership history.

Rebuild metadata

Create a permanent catalogue database.

Include:

  • title;
  • artist;
  • writers;
  • performers;
  • date;
  • label;
  • master owner;
  • artwork;
  • identifiers.

Preserve original dates

Where appropriate, record the genuine original release date.

The catalogue’s history has value.

Digitise artwork

Scan original:

  • sleeves;
  • booklets;
  • photographs;
  • liner notes.

Archive high-resolution copies before creating store-ready artwork.

Look beyond streaming

Once the catalogue is organised, consider:

  • sync;
  • publishing;
  • neighbouring rights;
  • physical reissues;
  • compilations;
  • remasters;
  • catalogue finance.

Digitisation is the beginning, not the end.

Final thoughts

Old music can become productive again.

But catalogue digitisation should preserve both the asset and its history.

Start with strong source material, establish the rights and build proper records as you go.