Releasing Your First EP: Key Steps from Production to Distribution

Want to release your first EP? Here's the complete guide

Releasing an EP is a major step in an artist's career. It's your first official musical project, the one that will define your artistic identity and introduce you to the public. But between composition and uploading to Spotify, there are many steps not to be missed. Here's the complete guide.

Step 1: Composition and recording

It all starts with the tracks. An EP generally contains between 3 and 6 songs. Take the time to:

• Select your best tracks or compose new ones
• Define artistic coherence (theme, mood, style)
• Record your vocals and instruments in the best possible conditions

If you're recording from home, make sure you have a good acoustic environment: avoid rooms with too much reverb and use a quality microphone.

Step 2: Mixing

Once all your tracks are recorded, it's time to mix them. Mixing involves balancing all the sound elements to create a coherent and professional result. This is a crucial step that we recommend entrusting to a professional, especially for a first project.

Step 3: Mastering

After mixing, each track must be mastered. Mastering ensures that all your tracks have a uniform volume and sound quality, and that they sound perfect on all streaming platforms. At OTT Record, we offer EP packages that include mixing and mastering of all your tracks at advantageous rates.

Step 4: The cover and visual

Your EP cover is the first thing people will see. It must reflect your artistic universe and meet the standards of streaming platforms:

• Square format (1:1)
• Minimum resolution: 3000 x 3000 pixels
• JPG or PNG format
• No platform logos or text that's too small

Step 5: Choose a music distributor

To put your music on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and other platforms, you need a distributor. Here are the most popular:

• DistroKid: annual subscription, unlimited distribution, fast
• TuneCore: payment per release, good for artists who release infrequently
• CD Baby: commission on revenue, no subscription
• Believe / Amuse: free options available for beginners

Step 6: Prepare the release

Don't release your EP without preparation! Here's what to plan for:

• Choose a release date (at least 3 weeks in advance for Spotify pitch)
• Create content for social media (teasers, excerpts, behind-the-scenes)
• Contact blogs, playlists, and media for press coverage
• Prepare an advertising campaign (Instagram Ads, TikTok)

Step 7: Distribution and follow-up

Once your EP is online, the work doesn't stop! Track your statistics on Spotify for Artists, engage your community, and continue to promote your tracks in the weeks following the release.

OTT Record supports you with your EP project

At OTT Record, we have supported many artists in the creation of their first EP. From mixing to mastering, we take care of the technical side so you can focus on the artistic.

Contact us for a personalized quote for your EP.