Meta-data is data which is associated with an audio file. The sound file (or files) and the metadata make up what you show in your licensing store (or any other library for that matter).  One is of no use without the other.

It includes data to aid when searching for music (e.g. tags for musical style, mood, etc.) publisher and composer data, as well as album and artist data.

There are two ways to edit a track's meta-data.

1. On the ‘Edit Track’ page (described here).
2. By importing a CSV metadata file.

The best practice is to pick one method and stick to it, or start with online Editing of Metadata (1), then export the data and continue editing and importing back using the external CSV file (2).  Note that if you make changes online and then import your external CSV file, the changes you made online will most likely be overridden. To avoid this, always export a metadata file before making changes to it and importing it back.

To edit a track’s meta-data using the ‘Edit Track’ page, first select ‘Tracks/Songs’ in the left-hand menu.

1. Use the Brand filters to narrow down the list
2. Select the track you want to edit
3. Click ‘Edit’

Here you can edit any or all of the meta-data of the track. If you want to replace either one of the audio files associated with the metadata - you can do that here too.

Brands

These are optional but highly recommended. Select Catalog, Album and Artist from the pull-down menus according to the data that you set up on the ‘Profile & Brands’ page.

Track Name:

The name of the song. If it is not the main version but an alternate version, separate the track name from the version name with a colon. e.g. “Bono Moto : 30 Sec” or “Bono Moto : Submix”.

More on Files, Names, and Metadata can be found here.

Composer

Composer name and affiliated Performing Rights Organization (PRO) (PRO info optional but recommended). This is the person(s) who actually wrote the music and/or lyrics for this track. Multiple entries should be written as ‘Dave Williams (PRS) / Anne Anderson (ASCAP)’

Publisher

Publisher name and affiliated PRO (PRO info optional but recommended). If the composer or composers have/own a publishing entity or a publishing deal, then the name of that entity/company should be entered here. Multiple entries should be written as ‘Teacup Music (PRS) / Layby International (ASCAP)’

Copyright

For the master and song. e.g. “Master - Sane Music 2017, Song – Sane Songs 2017” (optional)

Description

A brief description of the track to help a customer quickly grasp what the track is about. A mention of the style, instrumentation, mood and possible use. Don’t make this too long – it really just needs some references to catch the customer’s eye. This is the most visible piece of track metadata for each track in the store. Do not use references to well-known artists as that might get you into trouble.

You can have line breaks in this field, just click enter. You van have links in this field by typing a word, space and then a link starting with “http://” or “https://”. Example: “click http://www.yahoo.com”

Lyrics

Separate lines by using an HTML line break tag. e.g. I am a lineman for the county<br>And I drive the main road<br>Searchin' in the sun for another overload (optional)

Tags

Use commas to separate tags. Each tag will appear on a separate line on a pull-down menu in the store so be careful not to use too many. It’s best to create a pool of tags for all your tracks and then select from that pool the tags you want for each track. Each tag can be made of up to 3 words, but it is recommended to use one word tags for simplicity. Tags are important for the “similar tracks” mechanism in the store. The more identical tags two tracks have, the more similar they will be in the store.

Type

Song/Vocal – Vocal Song

Instrumental Melody – Instrumental with a melody

Instrumental Bed – Instrumental with no melody

Sound design – Non-musical atmosphere

Bumper/Stinger – Short version usually 3 to 10 seconds

Loops – A section of track designed to be looped. Must be edited so that looping works cleanly

Beats – Beats typically used for hip hop

Sound effects – Sound effects

Source

Original Composition - This is an original work by an artist in your store

Cover – Note that unless you have an agreement in place with the publisher, this will need to be negotiated and you won’t be able to sell a license using the automated system. See more details here.

Public Domain – This work is in the public domain and there is no copyright on the work. In the US this applies to songs originally published over 95 years ago.

Genres / Sub-Genres

These are predefined on the Genres page or by the Genres you define in your import CSV file if you are using that for your meta-data. 

Rate Cards

Select the rate card you want to use from the pull-down menu. You can click the small play button near the rate-card field to preview the rate-card more or less as your customers would see it.

Rate-cards define everything related to the pricing, contract and licensing terms of this track. You can choose a simple/basic Rate-Card or you can choose a more detailed/advanced Rate-Card. You can customize rate-cards or create new ones with limitless flexibility. For example, you can create a separate rate-card for “low priced tracks” and one for “premium tracks” or one for “tracks that require approval before licensing” and tracks that can be “licensed automatically without my intervention”. Rate-Card options are described here.

Master File and Preview File

Select your master and Preview Files, or upload them here. More info here.

Custom Fields - Configure

Configure any additional custom fields for adding any additional meta-data and store search/filter parameters. An overview can be found here.

Click ‘Done – Show in store’ to post the revisions in the store.

Click ‘Save –I’ll finish later’ to hide the track from the store until you’ve done any further revisions you may want to do.