Thinking about moving your music from DistroKid to RouteNote?

The good news is that changing music distributor doesn’t necessarily mean starting your releases again from zero.

If the transfer is handled correctly, streaming services may be able to link your new RouteNote delivery with your existing music.

That can help retain play counts, playlist placements and other statistics.

Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Find your existing ISRCs and UPCs

Before doing anything else, collect the information associated with your existing releases.

The most important identifiers are your ISRCs and UPCs.

An ISRC identifies an individual recording.

A UPC identifies the overall release.

When moving an existing release to RouteNote, you can enter the identifiers supplied through your previous distributor rather than generating completely new ones.

RouteNote specifically supports artists reusing existing ISRCs and UPCs when transferring music.

Step 2: Don’t remove your DistroKid release yet

This is one of the most important parts of transferring a catalogue.

Don’t immediately delete your existing release before uploading the replacement.

You want the existing version and replacement version to overlap temporarily so stores have an opportunity to identify them as the same recording.

Upload the replacement through RouteNote first.

Step 3: Use identical audio

Use the same master recording you originally distributed.

Don’t remaster it.

Don’t change the beginning.

Don’t alter the duration.

Don’t upload a new mix.

If you’re trying to preserve the identity of an existing recording, consistency matters.

Step 4: Keep your metadata identical

Try to keep the key information identical to the existing release.

That includes:

Artist name.

Track title.

Version information.

Featured artists.

Release title.

ISRC.

UPC.

Artwork.

Audio.

The closer the replacement is to the existing version, the easier it is for services to recognise the release.

Step 5: Upload your music to RouteNote

Create your release within RouteNote and enter your existing UPC and ISRC information.

If you’re distributing completely new music instead, RouteNote can generate ISRC and UPC codes at no extra cost.

You can choose between RouteNote Free and RouteNote Premium.

Free Distribution has no upfront distribution charge and pays artists 85% of streaming and download revenues.

Premium Distribution pays artists 100% of streaming and download revenue and is charged per release.

The store availability is not restricted simply because you choose the Free model.

Step 6: Wait for the RouteNote version to go live

Once your replacement release reaches stores, don’t immediately remove the old version.

Give streaming services time to recognise and link the recordings.

RouteNote currently recommends allowing around three to five business days.

Step 7: Check that everything has linked

Open your artist pages on the major platforms.

Check the release carefully.

Look at your play counts.

Check playlists you know contain the track.

Make sure you’re happy that the new delivery has been recognised correctly.

Only move to the next step once you’re comfortable.

Step 8: Request removal through DistroKid

Once the new RouteNote delivery is live and linked appropriately, you can request that the previous distributor removes its copy.

The RouteNote version should remain.

This removes the duplicate delivery while keeping the replacement version available.

Will I lose my Spotify streams?

Track linking gives artists the possibility of retaining existing streaming data when switching distributor.

It isn’t something any distributor can absolutely guarantee because the final linking process occurs within the streaming platform.

However, using the same identifiers, audio and metadata gives stores the information they need to recognise an existing recording.

Will I lose Spotify playlist placements?

The same principle applies.

If Spotify successfully recognises the replacement delivery as the same track, playlist placements can generally remain associated with it.

This is one reason it is important not to remove the old version prematurely.

Why switch to RouteNote?

Different artists want different things from their distributor.

RouteNote gives artists a free distribution option alongside a Premium model.

Artists can distribute unlimited releases and artist names through the Free model without paying an annual subscription simply to keep the account running.

Free releases pay artists 85% of streaming and download revenue.

Artists who prefer to retain 100% can use Premium Distribution.

Most importantly, artists remain in control of their catalogue.

Ready to move?

Create your RouteNote account, gather your existing release information and begin uploading your catalogue before removing anything from your current distributor.

The process can be far simpler than many artists expect.