For creators
Music release checklist
Every step between the finished master and release day, dated back from the day, with the files one click away.
A music release checklist is every step between the finished master and release day, each with a date: the artwork, distribution, pitching, the posts. In PrimeTask it's a project with release day as a milestone, the steps dated back from it on a timeline, and the masters and artwork linked on a canvas.
Updated · Checked with PrimeTask 1.0.5 · PrimeTask Team
PrimeTask
How it fits together
Select a part, in the drawing or here, to see what it does and what it feeds.
What flows
Due soon, and overdue
Steps to Dashboard
Every connection, in words
- Milestones is part of Release project.
- Steps is part of Release project.
- Steps is linked to Milestones.
- Steps is linked to Dashboard.
- Due soon, and overdue: Steps to Dashboard.
How the parts of a music release checklist connect, counting down to release day
The problem
A release is dozens of small jobs with fixed lead times. Your distributor wants the files weeks ahead, pitches need time to land, and the artwork has to exist before any post can. Miss one date and the release slips, or goes out without the push it needed.
Starting from release day and working back turns that pile of jobs into a calendar you can follow.
What it uses
Five parts, one connected system
Each card opens its docs article in a new tab, for the detail behind the steps.
Projects
One project per release, with release day as its deadline
Docs for Projects (opens in a new tab)Project Milestones
Release day and the dates you can't move, as milestones
Docs for Project Milestones (opens in a new tab)Gantt View
ProEvery step on a timeline, counting down to release day
Docs for Gantt View (opens in a new tab)PrimeFlow File Linking
ProThe masters, stems and artwork on a canvas, never copied
Docs for PrimeFlow File Linking (opens in a new tab)Activities
ProEvery pitch to a curator or blog, logged with a follow-up
Docs for Activities (opens in a new tab)Step 1
Make a project for the release
Creating projects (opens in a new tab)Open Projects, choose New Project and name it after the release, with release day as the deadline. One project per single, EP or album keeps each release's work apart.
Step 2
Mark release day as a milestone
Project milestones (opens in a new tab)Press M in the project and add Release day, with the type Release, on the date. Add a milestone for each date that can't move, such as the day the files go to your distributor.
Step 3
Date every step back from release day
Quick Add (opens in a new tab)Add each step with Quick Add and its date, such as Send files to distributor @"Summer Single" oct 10. Use the checklist on this page as your starting list.
Then add each step to its milestone from the milestone's Manage panel.
Step 4
See the countdown on a timeline
Gantt chart (opens in a new tab)In the project's Tasks tab, choose Link to Tasks page and pick the Gantt chart. Every step sits on its dates, just for this release, counting down to release day.
Drag a bar when a date moves.
Needs Pro. The Gantt chart is part of Pro. On Standard, open Calendar and press 3 to see every dated step by month.
Step 5
Link the masters and the artwork
File linking (opens in a new tab)Open PrimeFlow, create a canvas for the release, and drag the master, the stems and the artwork straight from your folder onto it. They're linked, not copied.
WAV, MP3 and FLAC files play on the canvas. AIFF files open in your usual app.
Important. Linking needs a Space kept on this computer. In a Space synced by iCloud or File Sync, add the files as copies instead.
Step 6
Log every pitch
Activities (opens in a new tab)Add the curators, blogs and collaborators you pitch as contacts in PrimeCRM. Log each pitch as an activity, and add a follow-up tied to the person, such as Follow up on the pitch &jordan next week.
The checklist
The whole list
A release checklist for an independent single. Distributors' lead times vary, so check yours and move the dates to fit.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Eight weeks before | Finish the mix and master, book the artwork, choose the release date |
| Six weeks before | Register the song with your performing rights organization, plan the posts and any video |
| Four weeks before | Send the release to your distributor, with the artwork and the credits |
| Three weeks before | Pitch to playlists through your streaming artist profiles, send the press kit to blogs and curators |
| One week before | Announce the date, schedule the release-week posts |
| Release day | Share the links, thank everyone who helped |
| The week after | Follow up on pitches, check the first numbers, plan the next post |
Variations
Make it yours
Four ways to change the setup to fit how you work.
An album
Your team
ProThe budget
ProYour Dashboard
Reuse
Save it for next time
Set it up once, and start the next one from it.
The next release
Questions
Common questions
About eight weeks before release day gives time for the artwork, distribution and pitching. Check your distributor's lead time, and work back from release day.
No. It plans the release and keeps the files and contacts together. The upload goes through your distributor, and the posts go out from your own accounts.
Yes. WAV, MP3 and FLAC files play on the canvas, so you can check a master next to the plan. AIFF files open in your usual app.
Not for the checklist: projects, milestones and tasks work on every licence. The Gantt chart, linking files on a canvas and PrimeCRM need Pro.
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