File Upload Requirements
To ensure the best quality distribution, your audio and artwork files must meet specific technical requirements.
Audio File Requirements
Accepted Formats
WAV (recommended)
FLAC
Note: MP3 and other compressed formats are NOT accepted for distribution.
File Size Limits
Maximum size: 500 MB per audio file
Most uncompressed WAV/FLAC files will be well under this limit
Quality Standards
Your audio files must meet professional quality standards:
✅ Required:
High-quality master files
No clipping or distortion
Professional audio quality
Proper mastering
❌ Will be rejected:
Low bitrate or heavily compressed audio
Clipping or distortion
Background noise or quality issues
Files that don't meet streaming platform standards
Upload Process
Your audio files are uploaded directly to secure cloud storage (S3)
Metadata is automatically extracted (duration, sample rate, etc.)
Files are validated for quality and format
You'll see upload progress and confirmation
Upload Tips:
Ensure stable internet connection for large files
Don't close your browser during upload
You can upload multiple tracks simultaneously
Artwork Requirements
Required Dimensions
3000 x 3000 pixels (square, 1:1 aspect ratio)
This is a strict requirement enforced by streaming platforms.
Accepted Formats
JPEG (preferred)
PNG (will be automatically converted to JPEG)
Quality Standards
✅ Required:
Minimum 3000x3000 pixels
300 DPI recommended
High resolution, no pixelation
Square aspect ratio (1:1)
Clear and professional appearance
❌ Will be rejected:
Blurry or low-resolution images
Social media handles or URLs visible in artwork
Non-square aspect ratios
Images below 3000x3000 pixels
Poor quality or unprofessional design
Artwork Processing
AVL provides an Artwork Processor tool:
Automatically crops images to 3000x3000
Converts PNG to optimized JPEG
Can upscale images up to 2x (minimum 1500px starting size)
Validates format and dimensions
Preview before finalizing
AI-Generated Artwork Declaration:
If your artwork was created using AI tools (Midjourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, etc.), you must check the "AI-Generated" checkbox. This is required for transparency with streaming platforms.
Copyright Scanner Audio (Admin Only)
For copyright compliance scanning:
Accepted Formats
WAV
FLAC
MP3
File Size Limit
Maximum: 100 MB
This is used by platform administrators to scan for potential copyright matches before distribution.
Upload Error Messages
If your upload fails, you'll see one of these error messages:
Audio Errors
"Only WAV and FLAC files are accepted"- Change your file format"File size exceeds 500MB limit"- Reduce file size or check for errors"Invalid audio format"- Ensure file is a valid WAV or FLAC
Artwork Errors
"Image must be square (1:1 aspect ratio)"- Crop to square dimensions"Image dimensions are below required 3000x3000"- Use higher resolution image"Image must be in JPEG format"- Convert PNG or use JPEG"Image is too small to upscale"- Start with at least 1500px minimum dimension"Image is too large to process"- Maximum 8000px, reduce size
Best Practices
Audio
Export your final master in WAV format at the highest quality
Check for clipping before uploading
Use professional mastering services if needed
Listen to your export before uploading to catch any issues
Artwork
Design at 3000x3000 from the start
Use high-resolution source images
Save as high-quality JPEG (90-100% quality)
Remove any text that includes URLs or social handles
Preview on different backgrounds - it will appear on various platforms
General
Upload during stable internet connection
Keep backup copies of all files
Allow time for upload completion
Don't navigate away during upload process
Technical Specifications Summary
File Type | Format | Size | Dimensions | Notes |
Audio | WAV, FLAC | 500 MB max | N/A | High quality masters only |
Artwork | JPEG, PNG | N/A | 3000x3000px | Square ratio required |
Copyright Scan | WAV, FLAC, MP3 | 100 MB max | N/A | Admin use only |
Need help with file preparation? Contact support or check our detailed guides on audio mastering and artwork design.