Submitting an .mp3 vs. a wav file and metadata

[thebryanscottrevival]

Hello everyone,
My name is Bryan Hinerdeer and I have been a Taxi member for almost a year. So far I have submitted 14 songs and got one forward. I always submit a wav file because I figure that is the best quality. But I started thinking recently, from my limited knowledge, that wav files don't contain metadata and mp3 files do. Should I be submitting mp3s because of this, and if something gets signed then send the wav file? thanks in advance for any light you can shine on this topic!

bryan

[eeoo]

If a publisher wants material from you they will let you know what format they want, almost certainly either wav or aiff. They'll also most likely have you fill out a meta data form either in a spreadsheet or an online questionnaire. As far as submitting to Taxi i guess it can't hurt to submit wav files, they will convert to mp3 anyway.

[telefunkin]

Taxi makes sure that all submissions are accompanied by writer contact details. However, you might choose to take a belt and braces approach and include your details within an mp3 file.

As for the library, if they like your track and offer a contract they'll request whatever format they prefer (as said above) plus alt versions and cut-downs, or perhaps an un-mastered version and stems, as well as accompanying metadata according to their specification (for example by completing a spreadsheet or filling boxes in a portal). Its highly unlikely that they'd want just your submitted file regardless of whether its mp3 or wav, and they might even request edits before accepting it.

Therefore, I wouldn't sweat over what format you submit via Taxi, as long as you keep submitting!

However, if you submit outside Taxi then ALWAYS ensure you follow the libraries submission guidelines whilst also ensuring your contact details are embedded in the files and/or accompany your submission. IMHO mp3 offers advantages because it can easily carry your details and is sufficient quality for libraries to judge your music, as well as being much smaller for file transfers. Some would still prefer to submit wav files though, so YMMV.

[Casey H]

Taxi makes sure that all submissions are accompanied by writer contact details. However, you might choose to take a belt and braces approach and include your details within an mp3 file.

To that regard, you could upload to Taxi a 320K mp3 that includes your contact info. The fidelity of a 320K is fine for submission (I even know some libraries that use that format for the actual placements!). This covers all bases. But, like others said, don't sweat it when it comes to Taxi submissions.

Casey

[thebryanscottrevival]

If a publisher wants material from you they will let you know what format they want, almost certainly either wav or aiff. They'll also most likely have you fill out a meta data form either in a spreadsheet or an online questionnaire. As far as submitting to Taxi i guess it can't hurt to submit wav files, they will convert to mp3 anyway.

OK -thanks eeoo. Interesting to know submitting a wav file converts to mp3 anyway. As far as the metadata, it sounds like it doesn't matter for the Taxi submission. Thanks for your reply!

bryan

[thebryanscottrevival]

Taxi makes sure that all submissions are accompanied by writer contact details. However, you might choose to take a belt and braces approach and include your details within an mp3 file.

To that regard, you could upload to Taxi a 320K mp3 that includes your contact info. The fidelity of a 320K is fine for submission (I even know some libraries that use that format for the actual placements!). This covers all bases. But, like others said, don't sweat it when it comes to Taxi submissions.

Casey

OK - Sounds good. Thanks Casey!

[thebryanscottrevival]

Taxi makes sure that all submissions are accompanied by writer contact details. However, you might choose to take a belt and braces approach and include your details within an mp3 file.

As for the library, if they like your track and offer a contract they'll request whatever format they prefer (as said above) plus alt versions and cut-downs, or perhaps an un-mastered version and stems, as well as accompanying metadata according to their specification (for example by completing a spreadsheet or filling boxes in a portal). Its highly unlikely that they'd want just your submitted file regardless of whether its mp3 or wav, and they might even request edits before accepting it.

Therefore, I wouldn't sweat over what format you submit via Taxi, as long as you keep submitting!

However, if you submit outside Taxi then ALWAYS ensure you follow the libraries submission guidelines whilst also ensuring your contact details are embedded in the files and/or accompany your submission. IMHO mp3 offers advantages because it can easily carry your details and is sufficient quality for libraries to judge your music, as well as being much smaller for file transfers. Some would still prefer to submit wav files though, so YMMV.

That's great advice. I think I like the idea of the belts and braces approach and submit the mp3 with contact details in the metadata. Thanks telefunkin'

[cosmicdolphin]

To that regard, you could upload to Taxi a 320K mp3 that includes your contact info. The fidelity of a 320K is fine

Most can't discern the difference between a WAV and a 320k MP3

[thebryanscottrevival]

To that regard, you could upload to Taxi a 320K mp3 that includes your contact info. The fidelity of a 320K is fine

Most can't discern the difference between a WAV and a 320k MP3

Thanks cosmicdolphin!

[Casey H]

To that regard, you could upload to Taxi a 320K mp3 that includes your contact info. The fidelity of a 320K is fine

Most can't discern the difference between a WAV and a 320k MP3

I can't. Not sure I can even tell 192K from WAV either!! But I've got 70 year old tin ears.