From Session to Release: A Production Checklist
Contents
You know the feeling. A song is done — it sounds incredible, the artist is hyped, the mix is dialed in. Then comes the question nobody wants to answer: now what?
Somewhere between "this beat is fire" and "it's on Spotify," there's a gauntlet of stems, metadata, split sheets, masters, and distribution deadlines. Most producers manage this through memory, scattered text threads, and last-minute scrambles. Something always falls through the cracks.
That's not a creativity problem. It's a process problem. Here's the checklist that solves it.
Phase 1: During the Session
The session is where you have the most context — everyone is in the room, contributions are fresh, and agreements are easy to document. Deferring admin to "later" is how credits get lost and disputes start.
Lock Down Credits and Splits
ASCAP recommends agreeing on splits in writing at the point of creation. For every session, document:
- Every contributor's legal name — the name that matches their PRO registration
- Their role — writer, producer, topliner, vocalist, arranger
- PRO affiliation and IPI number — how royalty organizations match credits to payments
- Agreed ownership percentages — composition and master recording splits, which may differ
If you're both producer and songwriter on a track, read our guide to handling dual-role splits.
Capture Session Metadata
Your DAW already knows the BPM and key. Write them down — along with the working title, session date, sample rate/bit depth, any samples used (note the source and license terms now), and session notes on arrangement decisions or artist feedback.
Organize the Session File
Before closing your DAW: name every track (not "Audio 1"), color-code by instrument group, delete unused tracks (bounce to audio first if needed), and bounce a rough mix so you can listen back without loading the full session.
Phase 2: Production and Arrangement
Version Control
CBW Music's naming convention eliminates ambiguity:
SongName_STAGE_BPM_Key_v#.wav
| Stage | Meaning |
|---|---|
| WORKTAPE | Initial rough idea |
| DEMO | Fleshed-out arrangement |
| PRODUCTION | Full production, pre-mix |
| MIX | Mixed version |
| MASTER | Final mastered file |
Log every revision: what version you sent, what feedback came back, what changes you made. This prevents the most common production dispute: "I thought I approved v3, not v5."
Phase 3: Mix Handoff
The handoff between production and mixing is where files get lost and context disappears. A clean handoff saves everyone time.
Stem export essentials — all stems from the same start point, with processing printed (unless the engineer asks for dry), clearly labeled (SongName_Kick.wav), at the session's native sample rate/bit depth, consolidated to WAV, with a reference rough mix included. Blake Marigold identifies stem prep as the single biggest source of unnecessary revisions.
Mix notes — include BPM/key, 2-3 reference tracks, specific requests ("keep the vocal dry," "the 808 should hit harder than the reference"), what's locked vs. flexible, and vocal tuning status.
Business alignment — confirm the mix fee, turnaround time, number of revisions included, and delivery formats before stems leave your hands.
Phase 4: Mixing and Mastering
Review the mix on multiple systems (monitors, headphones, car, phone). Give specific feedback — "the snare feels buried in the chorus" is useful, "it doesn't feel right" is not. Verify all requested versions (instrumental, a cappella, TV mix).
Prepare for mastering — export the approved mix at native sample rate/bit depth with 3-6 dB of headroom. Remove any limiters or loudness maximizers from the mix bus. Note the target loudness (-14 LUFS for Spotify, -16 LUFS for Apple Music).
Review the master — A/B against the approved mix, check for clipping or artifacts, verify delivery formats (16-bit/44.1kHz for distribution, 24-bit for archive), and get masters for all versions.
Phase 5: Pre-Release Administration
Everything here should happen before you upload to your distributor.
Register with Your PRO
Songtrust recommends registering works before they're uploaded anywhere. Your PRO needs the song title (must match exactly across all platforms), all writers' names and IPI numbers, publisher information, and ownership splits matching your signed split sheet.
If the title on your PRO registration doesn't match Spotify, you won't get paid. CD Baby reports metadata discrepancies are one of the most common reasons royalties go uncollected.
Finalize Split Sheets
Confirm all percentages add up to exactly 100% for both composition and master, get signatures from every contributor (digital signatures are legally valid), distribute signed copies, and store a copy with the song's project files.
For a deeper dive, see our complete guide to split sheets.
Collect Distribution Metadata
| Field | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Song title | "Night Drive" | Must match PRO registration exactly |
| Artist name | "Luna Keys" | Legal name or registered stage name |
| Featured artists | "feat. Alex Chen" | If applicable |
| Genre | "Electronic / Synthwave" | Primary and secondary |
| Release date | "2026-04-15" | Coordinate with distributor lead times |
| ISRC code | "USRC12612345" | Your distributor may assign this, or you can get your own |
| UPC/EAN | "012345678901" | Required for albums; distributor usually provides |
| Copyright info | "℗ 2026 Luna Keys" | Sound recording copyright |
| Publishing info | "© 2026 Luna Keys Music" | Composition copyright |
| Lyrics | Full lyrics text | Required by some platforms |
| Explicit content | Yes/No | Affects platform placement |
Cover art — minimum 3000x3000px, RGB, JPEG or PNG.
Phase 6: Distribution and Release
Set your release date — Spotify recommends submitting for editorial playlists at least 7 days before release, but 28 days is the independent best practice.
Upload to your distributor — double-check every metadata field matches your PRO registration, upload the 16-bit/44.1kHz master and cover art, set the release date (most distributors need 2-4 weeks lead time), select worldwide territories, and opt in to Content ID.
Promote — set up pre-save links, schedule social content, submit to independent playlist curators, prepare a press release, and notify all collaborators of the release date.
Release day — verify the song is live on all platforms, share with streaming links, credit collaborators publicly, and monitor for metadata errors.
Post-release — verify your PRO registration matches, track early streaming data, archive the complete project (session, stems, masters, contracts, metadata), and back up everything using the 3-2-1 rule.
The Complete Checklist
Bookmark this and work through it for every release.
During the Session
- Document all contributors (legal names, roles, PRO, IPI numbers)
- Agree on ownership splits and document them
- Record BPM, key, sample rate, and bit depth
- Note any samples used and their license terms
- Name and color-code all tracks in the DAW
- Bounce a rough mix
- Write session notes
Production
- Use consistent file naming (
SongName_STAGE_BPM_Key_v#.wav) - Log all revision history
- Update the song's status as it progresses
Mix Preparation
- Export all stems from the same start point
- Label stems clearly with song name and element
- Match the session's sample rate and bit depth
- Include a reference rough mix
- Write mix notes (references, requests, what's locked vs. flexible)
- Confirm mix budget, timeline, and revision count
Mixing and Mastering
- Review mix on multiple playback systems
- Verify all requested versions (instrumental, a cappella, TV mix)
- Export approved mix with 3-6 dB headroom, no mix bus limiters
- A/B the master against the approved mix
- Verify delivery formats (16-bit/44.1kHz for distribution, 24-bit for archive)
Pre-Release Administration
- Register the song with your PRO (title must match across all platforms)
- Finalize and sign split sheets with all contributors
- Collect all required distribution metadata
- Prepare cover art (minimum 3000x3000px)
Distribution and Release
- Set release date (28+ days out for Spotify editorial consideration)
- Upload master, metadata, and artwork to distributor
- Double-check all metadata matches PRO registration
- Submit for Spotify editorial playlist consideration
- Set up pre-save links and schedule social content
- Verify song is live on all platforms on release day
- Archive the complete project and back up everything (3-2-1 rule)