Which Master Files Do I Upload?
You received your masters and now you are staring at a folder full of files with names like 2444, 1644, and 2496. Here is exactly what each one is and where it goes.
A Note Before You Start
Some distributors and aggregators offer optional processing when you upload, like loudness normalization, EQ, or other enhancements. Do not enable any of these. Upload the original WAV files exactly as delivered. Any additional processing applied after the fact can alter your master and affect how it translates across platforms.
Standard Digital Master (2444 or 2448)
This is your primary upload file for digital distribution. The numbers refer to bit depth and sample rate: 24-bit at 44.1kHz or 48kHz.
Upload this to DistroKid, TuneCore, The Orchard, Bandcamp, or whichever distributor you use. This file is ready to go as delivered. Do not re-export it, re-encode it, or run it through anything else before uploading.
CD Standard Master (1644)
This is a 16-bit / 44.1kHz WAV file. Some distributors, CD Baby in particular, still require CD-standard files rather than 24-bit. Use this file for those platforms. It is also the format used for CD replication alongside your DDP file set.
High-Resolution Master (2488, 2496, or 24192)
This is a 24-bit file at 88kHz, 96kHz, or 192kHz. These are only included in your delivery when your original mixes were exported at those sample rates. They are not up-sampled versions of the standard master.
Use these for Apple Music lossless, Tidal, and Bandcamp when uploading the highest resolution version available. If your distributor accepts high-resolution files and you have them, use them.
Video or Sync Master (2448)
This is a 24-bit / 48kHz WAV file. 48kHz is the standard sample rate for video production. Use this file when delivering audio for music videos, sync licenses, or any context where your audio will be paired with video.
If your video editor asks for a WAV file, send them this one.
Vinyl or Cassette Pre-Master
This folder contains one file per side with the sequence, spacing, and crossfades already baked in, plus a PQ sheet for each side. Send this directly to your cutting engineer or cassette plant; do not upload this to a streaming distributor.
These files may be quieter than your digital masters. That is intentional. Your cutting engineer will make final level adjustments during lacquer cutting.
Always request and listen to a test pressing before approving the full production run.
DDP File Set
Your DDP folder contains two subfolders. The production ZIP goes directly to your CD manufacturer - upload it as-is. The preview folder is for your own reference. Open it with the HOFA DDP Player on Mac or Windows to hear exactly what the CD plant will receive.
Do not burn the DDP to a CD-R and send that instead. Submit the DDP file set digitally.
Apple Digital Masters
If you ordered Apple Digital Masters, your delivery includes an ADM folder. Upload this to the Apple Digital Masters section of your distributor. Apple only allows approved vendors to deliver ADM releases. I am an approved provider. If your distributor asks for a vendor name or email, use Mat Leffler-Schulman Mastering or mat@lefflerschulman.com.
The Short Version
If you are releasing digitally and are not sure which file to use, start with the 2444 or 2448 folder. That is the right file for most situations. If your distributor accepts 24-bit files at higher sample rates and you have them, use the highest resolution version available.
When in doubt, reach out before uploading. It is much easier to sort out before you submit than after.
