Part 2: Get It Right Before You Release It: Making a Radio-Ready Single
May 27, 2025You’ve planned your release, set goals, and know your audience. Great! But here’s the next big question:
Is your track actually ready to be released?
Before you hit upload, you’ve got one chance to make a first impression. That means making your single as professional, polished, and impactful as possible - sonically and visually.
Step 1: Get the Right Production Team (or DIY It Well)
Ask yourself honestly: Does this song reflect your best work?
Whether you’re working with a producer, mixing engineer, or doing it yourself, here are the key elements of a radio-ready track:
- Strong vocal performance
- Balanced, clear mix
- Professional master with consistent volume
- Attention to detail (no loose endings, awkward fades, or clipping)
Tip: Reference commercial tracks in your genre while mixing and mastering. If your track sounds noticeably quieter or muddier than theirs, go back to the drawing board.
Step 2: Don’t Skip the Mastering Stage
Mastering ensures your track:
- Sounds great on all devices (earbuds, car, speakers)
- Meets streaming platform standards (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube)
- Has consistent loudness, EQ balance, and dynamic range
Whether you use a mastering engineer or a quality AI mastering service (like eMastered, LANDR, or CloudBounce), this step is not optional in 2025.
Step 3: Get Killer Artwork That Tells the Story
Your cover art is your first impression. It shows up on Spotify, Apple Music, Instagram, playlists, and more.
Make sure your artwork is:
- High resolution (3000x3000px, JPG/PNG)
- Eye-catching even at thumbnail size
- Matches your brand and genre
- Doesn’t contain prices, URLs, or offensive content (Spotify will reject it)
Need artwork help? Fiverr, Canva, or working with a graphic designer friend can go a long way.
Step 4: Prepare Your Metadata
You’ll need to input:
- Artist name (must match DSP profiles)
- Song title (watch for typos!)
- ISRC code (your distributor can assign one)
- Songwriter and producer credits
- Genre/subgenre
- Release date
This info helps Spotify and Apple know how to categorise and push your track, and it ensures you get paid properly!
Step 5: Test It on Real Ears
Before your release, play it for:
- A few trusted musician friends
- Non-musician listeners in your target audience
- Your producer or vocal coach (if you have one)
Ask:
- “Would you add this to your playlist?”
- “What does it remind you of?”
- “Does anything feel off or unfinished?”
Final Thoughts
Releasing a song is like sending a version of yourself into the world. Don’t rush it. Give it the time and polish it deserves.
This week’s action:
Check your track’s mix, mastering, artwork, and metadata. Ask yourself: Would I stop and listen to this if I saw it online for the first time?
If you need help with your tracks or release, Book in a FREE 1:1 discovery call with Tryfan Music.
Download The Recording Artist Toolkit to learn how to succeed in today’s new music business.
Next up in Part 3:
“Build the Buzz: How to Create Hype Before Release Day”
We’ll show you how to tease your release, grow pre-saves, and turn followers into fans.
LEARN THE 6 STEPS TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL RECORDING ARTIST
Take your music career to the next level in 2025 in this step-by-step FREE guide.
We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.
