How to Leave Your Distributor Without Losing Your Catalog
For Artists
Mar 15, 2026
Leaving your distributor requires uploading your catalog to a new distributor using your existing ISRC codes before requesting takedown from your current distributor. This sequence preserves stream counts and playlist placements. Reversing the order risks losing streaming history and algorithmic position that took months or years to build.
Distributor switches are stressful for a reason. You are moving the infrastructure that connects your entire catalog to every streaming platform in the world. Artists worry about losing accumulated streams, dropping off playlists, or having gaps where their music goes dark. Those concerns are valid, but careful timing eliminates most of the risk.
This guide covers when to switch, the correct migration sequence, timeline planning, and the platform-specific issues that catch artists off guard. For broader distribution context, see the How to Release Your Music: Distribution Guide.
When Switching Actually Makes Sense
Not every frustration justifies a migration. Switching costs real time and carries real risk, so the benefits need to clearly outweigh the effort.
Reasons that justify a switch
Pricing changes that hurt your margins. Your distributor raised rates or restructured terms in ways that meaningfully affect your revenue. A jump from 0% commission to 15% on a catalog generating $500/month is $75/month you are giving away.
Consistent service failures. Repeated delivery errors, slow payment processing, or unresponsive support that affects your releases. One bad experience is normal. A pattern is a reason to leave.
Missing features you actually need. You need YouTube Content ID, Spotify editorial pitching access, or international platform coverage that your current distributor does not offer.
Contract terms you did not fully understand at signup. You realized your distributor takes a perpetual commission on catalog uploaded during your subscription, even after you leave. Read the terms. Some are worse than they appear.
Reasons that probably do not justify a switch
A slightly better revenue split elsewhere rarely justifies the migration effort. If the difference is 5% and your catalog generates $200/month, you are switching for $10. A single frustrated support interaction is not a pattern. And "everyone is switching to X" is not a strategy.
The Real Cost of Migration
Even a smooth migration requires re-uploading your entire catalog, managing overlap timing to avoid gaps, potentially losing some playlist momentum during transition, learning a new dashboard, and updating banking and tax information. Budget 4 to 8 weeks of attention for the process. If you are mid-release campaign or about to tour, wait.
ISRC Codes: The Key to Preserving Your History
ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is the unique identifier assigned to each sound recording. Every track you have released has one. When you upload to a new distributor using the same ISRC codes, streaming platforms recognize the tracks as the same recordings. Your stream counts, playlist placements, algorithmic history, and listener saves all carry over.
Upload with different ISRCs and platforms treat every track as a brand new release. You lose everything.
Where to find your ISRCs
Your current distributor provides ISRCs in your dashboard, usually under release details or a codes section. Download this data before you start anything else. If you cannot find them, contact support. You own these codes regardless of which distributor generated them. They are required to provide them.
The UPC codes too
While you are at it, grab the UPC (Universal Product Code) for each release. UPCs identify releases (albums, EPs, singles) the way ISRCs identify individual tracks. Having both ensures clean continuity.
The Migration Sequence
The order is non-negotiable. Upload first. Takedown second. Never reverse this.
Phase 1: Preparation (Week 1 to 2)
Task | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
Download all ISRCs and UPCs | Platforms use these to match old and new versions |
Export all artwork (original resolution) | New distributor needs the same cover art files |
Document all metadata exactly | Mismatched titles or credits break the link |
Save analytics you want to keep | Historical data may not transfer |
Verify you have original audio files (WAV or FLAC) | You will need to re-upload masters |
Phase 2: Upload to new distributor (Week 2 to 3)
Create your account with the new distributor. Upload every release using the existing ISRCs and UPCs. Match metadata precisely: same title spelling, same artist name format, same credits. Use the same cover artwork. Set release dates to "already released" or the original release date.
One wrong character in an ISRC creates a new recording instead of matching the existing one. Double-check every code.
Phase 3: Confirm live status (Week 3 to 5)
Monitor your new distributor's dashboard for delivery confirmation to each platform. Verify tracks appear on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and other platforms where your catalog lives. Confirm that stream counts transferred (this can take several days to reconcile). Check that listener saves and library entries still work.
Do not proceed until you have confirmed the new version is live everywhere.
Phase 4: Request takedown from old distributor (Week 5 to 6)
Only after full confirmation. Use your old distributor's dashboard takedown feature or contact support. Document the request date and confirmation.
Phase 5: Monitor and clean up (Week 6 to 8)
Verify the old distributor's versions are removed. Check for duplicate listings on each platform. Complete any final account closure steps. Re-verify your Spotify for Artists and Apple Music for Artists profiles through the new distributor.
Platform-Specific Issues
Spotify handles ISRC-based migrations well. Stream counts transfer reliably. You may need to re-claim your Spotify for Artists profile through your new distributor's verification process. Playlist placements may experience brief disruption but usually stabilize within days.
Apple Music also recognizes ISRC continuity. Pre-add counts and library saves persist. Expect slower metadata updates if you are correcting anything during the migration.
YouTube Music and Content ID require extra attention. If your old distributor registered Content ID claims, those claims stay active until explicitly released. Coordinate Content ID transfer with your old distributor before or during migration. Otherwise, your own videos can get claimed by your old distributor's Content ID registration.
Smaller platforms vary in handling migrations. Most recognize ISRCs, but some may create duplicate listings. Monitor after migration and contact platforms directly if duplicates appear.
Distributor-Specific Considerations
DistroKid requires "Leave a Legacy" purchases ($29 per release) to keep music online after canceling your subscription. If you did not purchase Leave a Legacy, your catalog comes down when your subscription ends. Plan accordingly: complete your migration to the new distributor before letting your DistroKid subscription lapse. For more on DistroKid's model, see the DistroKid Deep Dive.
TuneCore charges annual renewal fees per release. If fees lapse, music comes down. Time your migration before renewal dates to avoid paying for a year you will not use.
CD Baby uses one-time fees with permanent hosting. Your music stays up indefinitely, giving you more flexibility on timing. You can take a slower, more careful approach to migration without music disappearing mid-process.
AWAL, UnitedMasters, and similar services have varying contract terms. Review your agreement for notice periods, termination processes, or post-termination obligations before initiating migration.
For help comparing distributors, see How to Choose a Music Distribution Service.
Timing Your Switch
The full process takes 4 to 8 weeks minimum. Do not start a migration within 4 weeks of a new release, during heavy promotional periods, or right before tour dates when your focus needs to be elsewhere. Pick a quiet period in your release calendar.
Artists building their careers on Orphiq's platform can use release timelines to identify the right migration window without conflicting with upcoming campaigns.
After Migration: The Verification Checklist
Once migration is complete, systematically verify:
Tracks appear correctly on all platforms
Stream counts match pre-migration numbers
No duplicate listings exist anywhere
Spotify for Artists and Apple Music for Artists access works through new distributor
Banking and tax information is correct with new distributor
Final royalty payments from old distributor are tracked (expect 2 to 3 months of lag)
Keep your old distributor account accessible until all final payments arrive. Royalty reporting runs months behind, so payments from streams during your time with the old distributor will continue arriving after you have left.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my streams if I switch distributors?
No, if you use the same ISRC codes and upload to the new distributor before requesting takedown from the old one. Platforms recognize the recordings as identical.
How long does migration take?
Plan for 4 to 8 weeks from start to finish. Rushing increases the risk of gaps, duplicate listings, or lost playlist placements.
Can I migrate during a release campaign?
Avoid it. Migration disruption during active promotion can undermine results. Wait until the campaign settles before starting.
What if my old distributor generated my ISRC codes?
You still own them. ISRCs belong to the rights holder, not the distributor. They are required to provide them on request.
Read Next
Plan the Migration:
Orphiq helps you map your release calendar and coordinate complex transitions like distributor switches so nothing falls through the gaps.