Once a release is delivered to a DSP the DSP will NOT allow you to change the audio file unless BOTH of the following are true:


  1. You are replacing the file because of a technical issue (crackle, silence, etc.)
  2. AND the duration of the new audio file is very close to the duration of the old file. Different DSPs have different criteria for this, but a good rule of thumb is that if the new file is more than 2 seconds different in duration, your update may be rejected by the DSP ("may" because it's not impossible that it could work if the difference is more than 2 seconds). If your audio is more than 2 seconds different and you do not have time to wait and see whether the DSP(s) will accept your update or not, you are better off using Solution #2 below.


Solution 1: your audio replacement meets the above requirements


If you have a parent-child account (meaning that you can impersonate other accounts), please note that your children accounts cannot replace an audio file. This feature is available only to admin accounts, so please do the replacement from your parent/master account without impersonating the child account.


You can replace your audio following these steps:

  1. Use the new dashboard — replacing audio files is not possible in the old dashboard.
  2. Go to the release with the track [Assets > Music > click on the release].
  3. Click Edit on the release's Overview page.
  4. Click on the track whose audio file you want to replace.
  5. At the top right of the waveform you'll see a link: Replace Audio (as shown in the image below).
  6. Click on the link and upload your new audio file.
  7. Once your file has finished uploading, save your release. 
  8. Redistribute your release to the DSP(s)




Solution 2: your audio replacement does NOT meet the above requirements


If you need to change the audio file because you uploaded the wrong audio file from another track, or if your new audio file is more than 2 seconds different in duration, then you will need to do the following:


  1. Create a new release with the new audio file.
  2. You should reuse the same ISRC if that is indeed the correct ISRC for the track.
  3. However, you should NOT use the same UPC as your previous release.
  4. Once your new release is created, deliver it to the DSP(s).
  5. Wait 48h (or for Apple, wait 6 days) and then take down your old release. The reason to wait is to ensure that the new release has time to link to the old one so that it can replace the old one in DSP users' favorites, playlists, etc. If, however, you really want to remove the old release faster than that, then go ahead. If your new release doesn't rack-link with the old one, you can always open a support ticket later on.