Ship Your First Single End-to-End
A full playbook from empty workspace to a published release — project, metadata, files, credits, agreement, release date, and publish.
In short
- Seven steps from empty project to published release package.
- Stats tab is your go/no-go gate — everything at 100% before Publish.
- Split sheet has to be Signed before a distributor accepts the submission.
Walkthrough
- 1
Create the project
From the Projects list, click "New Project." Use the release title as the project name and enter the artist name. Everything else — metadata, files, credits — hangs off this project.
Project Name and Artist Name are required; Description is optional. - 2
Fill the Metadata tab
Open Metadata and fill Release Name, Artist Name, Genre, Language, and ISRC. Add BPM, Key, Instrumental, and Explicit flags where they apply. Paste lyrics so Apple Music and Spotify can display them.
- Missing genre or language is the most common reason a distributor bounces a submission.
- Leave ISRC blank if your distributor auto-assigns — an invalid code gets a release bounced.
Release Information + musical properties together on one tab. - 3
Upload audio and artwork
Switch to Files and drag in the final master (WAV or FLAC) and the cover art. Audio files get duration, bitrate, sample rate, and a waveform extracted on upload. Click any file to preview, rename inline, or leave a comment.
File details in the sidebar are your first check the master is the right version. - 4
Lock in credits
Back on Metadata, scroll to Credits and click Edit. Add every contributor and toggle role pills — Primary Artist, Producer, Songwriter, Mixing Engineer. These credits flow to streaming platforms, so verify names before publishing.
- A person can hold multiple roles (Producer + Mixing Engineer). Toggle every pill that applies.
- External collaborators can be added by name; they don't need a Vandall account to appear on credits.
Grouped by role so missing credits stand out. - 5
Collect a signed split sheet
Artists create split sheets from the Vandall App — Agreement tab on the project. Once everyone signs, the Agreements tab on your dashboard shows "Signed" with a downloadable PDF. Don't publish until this is green.
- Partial signatures ("2/3 signed") don't count — distributors require the agreement fully signed.
- Send your artist the "Sign a split sheet with a co-producer" playbook if they're new to the wizard.
- 6
Set the release date
On the Summary tab, set the target release date. The project chip appears on the Releases calendar so everyone on the team sees it. Use the Stats tab to confirm metadata, files, credits, and agreements are all at 100%.
Cover, release date, and at-a-glance completion signals together on Summary. - 7
Publish the release package
Open the Release Package tab and confirm every section is green. Publish to bundle files, metadata, credits, and signed agreements into a locked snapshot — then send the public share link to your distributor or press.
Everything a distributor or press contact needs, on one page.
Tips
- Create credits and start the split sheet the same day you create the project. Chasing signatures after a release date is set causes slips.
- Use Stats as a go/no-go gate. If any section is below 100%, it blocks distribution.
Was this guide helpful?
If something's unclear or missing, send us a note — we'll reply with the right answer or update the guide.