Song vs Recording Versions
Learn the difference between a song composition, recording version, master, and audio file so credits, ownership, ISRC-bearing files, and assets stay organized.
A song and a recording are related, but they are not the same asset. In Songkeeper, the song is the underlying composition, the recording version is a specific performance or production of that song, and files are the audio assets attached to that version.
Use a song for the composition: title, writers, lyrics, publishing splits, and work identifiers. Use a recording version for each demo, acoustic take, radio edit, remix, live recording, or master that needs its own metadata, files, ownership, or release path.
What Is the Difference Between a Song and a Recording?
Think of a song as the musical work: melody, lyrics, chords, writers, and publishing information. A recording is one captured version of that work. The same song can have many recordings, and each recording can have different files, performers, ownership, ISRCs, and release uses.
That separation matters once a track moves beyond a single work-in- progress file. It keeps composition credits separate from master metadata, keeps alternate versions clean, and makes release exports easier to audit later.
| Level | What It Represents | Typical Metadata |
|---|---|---|
| Song | The composition or musical work | Title, writers, lyrics, publishing splits, ISWC, genre |
| Recording version | A specific performance, arrangement, or master | Artists, performers, credits, master ownership, recording details |
| Recording files | The uploaded audio assets for a version | Demo WAVs, rough mixes, masters, stems, ISRC-bearing master files |
How Songkeeper Organizes Your Music
Songkeeper uses three levels so every song, recording version, and audio file has the right context.
1. Song: The Composition
The song is the creative work itself. Use it for information that should stay true across every recording of the composition.
- Code - International Standard Musical Work Code
- Songwriters - Who wrote the
- - Who owns the publishing
- Lyrics & Chords - The written elements
See song metadata for the full set of composition fields Songkeeper tracks.
2. Recording Version: The Performance or Master
A recording version is one produced form of the song: a demo, acoustic version, radio edit, remix, live take, or final master. Create a new version when the audio, credits, ownership, or release metadata needs to be tracked separately.
- Version title, notes, primary version, and project link
- Featured artists, performers, and producers
- Master ownership and rights information
- BPM, key, label, studio, dates, countries, and genre
See recording metadata for the fields attached to each version.
3. Recording Files: The Audio Assets
Files are the uploaded assets for a recording version. A single version might have a demo, rough mix, final master, instrumental, clean edit, and stems. ISRCs are stored on recording files in Songkeeper, especially master files, rather than directly on the song composition.
- Demo WAV or MP3 files
- Rough mixes, revisions, and final masters
- Instrumentals, clean edits, and radio edits
- Stems, references, and delivery assets
See files and audio for how uploaded assets attach to songs and recording versions.
Song, Recording Version, and File Hierarchy
Here's how these three levels relate to each other:
Example: One Song With Three Recording Versions
Suppose you and a writing partner create a composition called "Love Song." The song has one set of writers, lyrics, publishing splits, and composition metadata.
From that same song, you might create three recording versions:
Recording 1: "Love Song (Acoustic)"
- Solo acoustic performance for a short-form video
- Simple master ownership because no featured artist is involved
- Files: Acoustic_Demo.mp3 and Acoustic_Final.wav
Recording 2: "Love Song (Band Version)"
- Full band arrangement featuring Sarah on vocals
- Different master ownership and performer credits
- Files: Rough_Mix.wav, Master_v1.wav, Master_Final.wav
Recording 3: "Love Song (Remix)"
- Electronic remix by a collaborator
- Different production credits and release purpose
- Files: Remix_Demo.mp3, Club_Mix.wav, Radio_Edit.wav
When Should You Create a New Recording Version?
Create a new recording version when the change affects the identity or metadata of the recording, not just the file revision.
| Situation | Best Place | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A rough mix becomes Mix v2 | Same recording version | It is a file revision of the same recording |
| You make an acoustic arrangement | New recording version | The performance and release use are different |
| A collaborator remixes the song | New recording version | Credits, ownership, and metadata may differ |
| You upload stems for the final master | Same recording version | The stems support an existing version |
Why This Matters for Royalties and Releases
Money Flows Differently
Publishing royalties are tied to the song composition: the writers and publishers behind the musical work.
Master recording royalties are tied to a specific recording version: the people and entities that own or participate in that master.
Different ID Systems
ISWC codes identify compositions. codes identify recordings in the broader industry; in Songkeeper, ISRCs are stored on recording files while the recording version carries the surrounding artist, ownership, and production context. A remix, acoustic version, and radio edit can all come from the same composition while needing separate recording metadata.
Keeping that distinction clean makes it easier to prepare release metadata, verify credits, and export the right information later. See exports and readiness for release delivery checks.
How Songkeeper Makes This Easy
| Feature | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Organize Compositions | Keep track of who wrote what, publishing splits, and lyrics |
| Track Versions | Multiple recordings of the same song, each with different owners and uses |
| Manage Files | Demos, mixes, masters, and stems all organized under the right version |
Getting Started: Your First Song
- Create the song - Add the composition with writers, genre, and basic info. Start with creating songs.
- Use or create a recording version - Start with the automatically created Original version, or create another version for a separate performance, arrangement, or master.
- Upload your files - Add your demo, mix, master, or stems to the correct version
Related Docs
- Song Metadata - fields that live on the composition
- Recording Metadata - fields that live on a specific recording version
- Managing Recording Versions - creating and organizing alternate takes, mixes, and masters
- Files & Audio - uploading and organizing the actual assets