The Song Finishing Checklist (Printable)

Finish more songs without losing your mind. You can be brilliant and messy and still never ship. This checklist is the belt and braces you need to get tracks from a half baked demo to a real release that pays and does not embarrass you at family gatherings. It is practical, printable, and loaded with weirdly useful tips that actually work when you are tired at two in the morning.

Each item below explains what to do, why it matters, and a short real life scenario so you do not stare at the screen wondering if you are being drama queen or actually missing something important. We will also explain technical words and acronyms as if you were texting your producer and also teaching your grandma how to listen. Keep this open in your DAW window or print it and drape it over your mic stand like a tiny prophecy.

How to use this checklist

Open your project. Walk through each block. Tick boxes as you complete them. If you have collaborators, send them the printable and ask for one confirmed tick from each person on the team. Do not move to distribution until every box in the distribution block is ticked. That rule will prevent a lot of crying later.

Printable master checklist

• Songwriting locked. Title chosen. Core promise written in one short sentence.
• Arrangement locked. Sections timed with time markers so first hook is within the first minute.
• Topline and lyrics locked. Prosody checked by speaking lines out loud.
• Demo vocal recorded cleanly. Guide vocal and lead vocal tracked.
• Instrumentation finalized. Signature sound chosen and placed.
• Mix pass completed. Balance, panning, automation and reference track checks done.
• Master file exported. Mastered WAV at correct sample rate and bit depth created.
• Stems exported for remixes and DJs if needed.
• Metadata collected. Songwriter credits and split percentages confirmed.
• ISRC codes assigned or requested. UPC barcode for single or album secured.
• Publishing registered with your performance rights organization. Mechanical rights set up if required.
• Distribution account prepared. Release date chosen and pre save links requested from distributor.
• Artwork finalized at correct specs. Social assets created with time stamped captions.
• One page release plan created. Email list segment drafted. Playlist outreach list assembled.
• Final listening on multiple systems done. Phone, earbuds, car, laptop and club system or club sim tested.
• Backup copies made and locked. Project file, stems, masters and session notes archived.
• Release day operations checklist ready. Who posts when and which platforms have which assets.

Songwriting and arrangement checklist

Stop editing and start deciding. A finish means decisions not perfection. These items lock the song so nothing changes at the last minute and nothing important gets forgotten.

Core promise and title

Write one short sentence that says the whole song. That sentence is the core promise. It keeps lyrics honest and helps you pick a title that actually matters.

Real life scenario

You have three good verses and no chorus. Lock the core promise now. Saying I am done waiting for you will help you choose lines that support that promise and stop you from adding irrelevant drama about laundry.

Verse and chorus roles

Label what each section does. For example verses set scenes, pre chorus increases pressure, chorus delivers payoff, bridge shows a new angle. If no pre chorus, decide how the chorus will be anticipated.

Technical note

Prosody means how words naturally fall in spoken rhythm. Speak each line and mark stressed syllables. Make sure those syllables land on strong musical beats. If they do not the line will feel awkward when sung even if it reads fine.

Tighten lyrics with the camera test

For every line imagine a camera shot. If you cannot imagine the shot the line may be abstract. Replace abstractions like healing or loneliness with objects and actions that create a visual detail.

Real life scenario

Instead of I am lonely you write The second toothbrush stares from the glass. That is single handedly better and easier to sing at midnight.

Production and mixing checklist

The production pass turns a song into a track that feels like it belongs in playlists. The mix pass makes it sound professional. Do not skip reference checks or you will regret it on streaming platforms that punish muddy songs.

Reference track check

Pick two reference songs that share energy and vocal treatment. Import them into your project and match loudness. Compare arrangement, vocal presence and low end. If your vocals are lost while the reference is forward you have mixing work to do.

Explaination

Reference track means an existing professionally released song that you use as a benchmark. Use it to check balance not to copy notes or arrangement. Think of it as a friend who tells you when your lipstick is on crooked.

Balance and panning

Check that each element has space. Avoid stacking similar sounds on the same frequency. Use panning to create width and leave the center for vocals, kick and bass. Automate levels for energy. A static mix is boring.

Real life scenario

Your synth pad and your guitar are both sitting in the same middle frequency space and making a mush. Carve 200 hertz out of the pad and give that space to the guitar and suddenly the chorus breathes.

Vocal comp and tuning

Comp means compile or composite. Record multiple vocal takes and compile the best phrases into one track. Use light pitch correction if necessary. Do not glue the tuning on like a sticker. Keep the emotion in the breath and the tiny pitch flaws that give character.

Explaination

Comping means assembling the best parts of different takes into one final performance. It is like choosing the best lines from multiple auditions and sewing them into a single scene.

EQ and compression basics

Use EQ to remove problem frequencies and to create space. High pass on non low end elements to keep the bottom clean. Compression controls dynamic range so the vocal sits consistently in the mix. Use it subtly and then automate when you need dramatic lifts for lines you want to emphasize.

Real life scenario

Your chorus feels smaller than the verse even though you added more instruments. A quick pull at 300 hertz on those verse guitars and a slight lift at 3 kilohertz on the chorus vocal will move the listener closer instantly.

Save mix versions

Create incremental mix saves. Name them clearly. For example mix v1, mix v2 with vocal doubler, mix v3 with sub removed. This saves you when a change goes wrong or when a collaborator wants to compare. Also export a wet and a dry version if you plan to master differently.

Explaination

Wet means the track with effects applied like reverb and delay. Dry means without those effects. Both are useful for different reasons in mastering and remixing.

Mastering and loudness checklist

Mastering is the final polish that ensures your song translates across platforms. It is also where many tiny mistakes show up. Be boring and careful here.

Set target loudness

Streaming services normalize audio to a specific loudness. The loudness measurement is called LUFS. LUFS stands for Loudness Units relative to Full Scale. Common targets are around minus 14 LUFS for streaming platforms that aim for consistent loudness. Keep integrated LUFS in mind so your track sounds competitive without being squashed.

Real life scenario

You submit a master at minus 6 LUFS because it sounded huge in your studio. On streaming it gets turned down and sounds lifeless. Aim for a sensible LUFS target and use mastering to improve clarity and dynamics not just perceived volume.

File formats and specs

• Master WAV at 16 bit or 24 bit and at the sample rate your distributor requires. Commonly 44.1 kilohertz for most releases.
• High resolution master if required for special formats like vinyl or high res streaming. Check distributor and pressing plant specs.
• MP3 preview or promo file at 320 kilobits per second for sending to blogs or playlist curators.

Explaination

Sample rate is how many times per second the audio is sampled and is measured in kilohertz. Kilohertz means thousands of cycles per second. 44.1 kilohertz is the standard CD rate and almost always acceptable for streaming. Bit depth affects dynamic range and headroom. 24 bit gives mastering more room to work with than 16 bit.

Master loudness check on multiple devices

Listen on phone, laptop, studio monitors, earbuds and a car. Make adjustments to the master so it feels balanced across these spaces. If the bass is overpowering in the club but missing in the phone then you need mix or mastering adjustments.

Stems and deliverables checklist

Stems are submixes of the song used for remixes, radio edits and live shows. Deliver them clean and well labeled. A messy stems folder is how you ruin relationships with remixers and DJs.

Export stems with care

• Export stems so that the song plays back in full when the stems are summed. Stems commonly include drums, bass, guitars, keys, vocals, effects and any other major groupings.
• Export stems at the session sample rate and bit depth. Name files clearly with song name, part name and BPM or sample rate indicated.
• Include a print of the full mix WAV so recipients can audition the intended sound.

Real life scenario

You send stems labeled vocal final and drums final but forget to send a full mix. The remixer spends three days guessing the arrangement. Send everything they need and a small note that says This is how I hear it to save everyone time.

Metadata, legal and publishing checklist

This is where most independent artists drop the ball. Metadata is the invisible information attached to your release. It matters for royalties and for people to find and buy your music. Get it right or you lose money and clarity.

Songwriter credits and splits

Decide splits now and document them. Splits are how the songwriting pie is divided. Use a percentage for each writer and producer where applicable. Store this in a shared document and in your distributor and publishing registrations.

Explaination

Splits means the division of songwriting credits. It is usually expressed in percentages. For example 50 25 25 means one writer gets half and two others get a quarter each. Agree now so you do not cry later.

ISRC and UPC

ISRC stands for International Standard Recording Code. It is a unique identifier for each recording. UPC stands for Universal Product Code. It identifies the product, like a single or an album. Your distributor will often provide UPC codes and assign ISRC codes if you do not have your own label codes. Make sure these codes are correct before release because changing them after distribution can be messy.

Real life scenario

You upload your single and forget to assign ISRC codes. The distributor assigns new codes that do not match what your collaborators expected. Now royalties for that recording are harder to trace. Get that sorted before upload.

Register the song with your performance rights organization

Register the writer splits with your performance rights organization. Examples include BMI, ASCAP and SESAC in the United States. If you are outside the United States your collection society might be PRS or SOCAN or a different organization. Registering is how you get paid when your song is played on radio, TV or performed in public.

Explaination and scenario

Performance rights organization or PRO is the body that collects performance royalties for public plays. If you do not register your song they may be collecting money and not paying you. Register now with the splits documented so money flows where it should.

Mechanical rights and mechanical licensing

If your song will be released as a cover of someone else or you will allow other versions, mechanical licenses handle the reproduction royalties. Your distributor can sometimes handle this or you can use services that license covers for you. Know what you need based on your release type.

Distribution and release checklist

Distribution is how your song gets into the world. This is where dates, pre saves and scheduling live. A missed step here means your song may land empty handed when you show up on launch day.

Choose a release date and lead time

Pick a date with enough lead time for platform processing and promotional prep. Two to four weeks is a reasonable minimum for an independent release. If you plan radio pitching or synchronizations allow more time.

Real life scenario

You set a release for Friday and upload the files on Thursday. Distributor processing puts your song live the following Friday without artwork or metadata. Do not be that person. Upload early and check back.

Create pre save and pre add campaigns

Pre save means a fan can save your upcoming release to their library ahead of release. These tools are offered through third party services and through some distributors. Pre saves help build momentum and inform platform algorithms about demand. Include a clear call to action in your posts and link to a single pre save link so fans do not have to hunt.

Explaination

Pre save or pre add means a listener can save a track to a streaming library before it is available. This action boosts your first day numbers which platforms use to judge traction.

Upload to distributor correctly

• Double check song order for EP or album uploads.
• Confirm explicit tags if needed.
• Attach ISRC and UPC codes.
• Upload artwork at required resolution and color space. Commonly 3000 by 3000 pixels in RGB color.

Real life scenario

Your album art looks perfect in your file but it gets rejected by the platform because the file is in CMYK color. Convert to RGB and upload again. Little things like color spaces will stop a release cold.

Promotion and assets checklist

Releasing is only the start. Promotion is how people hear you and how streams turn into fans.

Create a one page release plan

List the who, what and when. Who posts on social, who emails the fans, what assets are used and when each item goes live. Include fallback plans for tech problems and a single contact for collaborators so questions do not multiply like bad memes.

Make content for multiple formats

• Vertical short video for social platforms like reels and short form video.
• Square images for posts.
• Story assets for ephemeral posts and countdowns.
• Audio snippets for playlists and features.

Real life scenario

You have one great teaser clip but your bandmate cannot crop it for story format. Create formatted versions now so the person posting at midnight is not also learning how to use an app for the first time.

Pitching for playlists and press

Prepare a short pitch email or form with a one sentence hook about the song, three short bullet points with context like collaborators or interesting backstory and a streaming link or private link. Keep pitches personal and do not mass spam playlists with long essays. Curators are human and short is kind.

Final listening and feedback checklist

Before you call it done gather a small group of trusted listeners. Ask one question and then shut up. Too many opinions will kill momentum.

One line feedback test

Play the song and ask each listener to give one line that stuck with them. If no line sticks your hook needs work. If they pick varying lines you may have multiple hooks to focus and prioritize.

Real life scenario

You play the song for three friends. Two of them mention the pre chorus line and one mentions a verse lyric. That tells you where emotions are landing and where you may improve clarity in the chorus.

Level 2 listening

Listen with everything you did earlier in mind. Check for fatigue induced mistakes like sticking compressors or loopy automation. Fix small errors now rather than later.

Backup and archiving checklist

Backing up is not optional. Projects live on hard drives and hard drives sometimes have opinions and then stop working. Create at least two backups and a clear folder structure for release assets.

• Project folder saved as final project name version and zipped.
• Stems folder with clear labels.
• Masters folder with WAV and MP3 previews.
• Artwork folder with PSD or source files and final export.
• License and contract folder with signed splits and agreements.

Real life scenario

You need stems for a last minute remix and the only copy is on your old laptop. You format it while trying to open a PDF. Backups prevent existential pity parties.

Release day operations checklist

Release day is a show. Treat it like a show. Know who is on point for posts, who answers comments and who handles any technical issues with the distributor. Coordinate across time zones and define how you will handle early leaks.

• Confirm assets are live on platforms.
• Share links to all team members in one place.
• Schedule posts for the first 48 hours so you can breathe.
• Assign someone to monitor streaming numbers and urgent issues.

Troubleshooting quick fixes

Problems happen. Here are common release day issues and how to fix them quickly.

Song not showing on platform on release day

Check your distributor processing status. Contact support with order number and confirm metadata. If the issue persists get firm screenshots of upload confirmations and escalate. Avoid changing metadata repeatedly or platforms will get confused.

Wrong song version went live

If a wrong master is online request an urgent takedown and a replacement from your distributor. Communicate with your fans. Transparency helps. Prepare to push a corrected version and a short explanation.

Credits incorrect

Fix credits in your distributor dashboard and resubmit. Also update any public pages like SoundCloud and Bandcamp where you can. Notify collaborators and update your press kit so the correct information lives out where people find it.

Templates and micro tasks you can steal

One sentence core promise template

Write this in the chat to yourself. I am done waiting for you. Or Tonight I will be first not last. Keep it short and use it as a compass throughout the project.

Two week release timeline template

1. Day 14 upload masters and metadata to distributor.
2. Day 12 finalize artwork and social assets.
3. Day 10 launch pre save and email fans with teaser.
4. Day 7 start playlist outreach and send to selected curators.
5. Day 3 schedule social posts and remind collaborators.
6. Day 0 release and monitor for issues.

One line pitch template for playlists

Keep it tight. This is the template you send in messages. New single from [Artist]. A punchy modern pop song about [one line emotional hook]. Produced by [producer name]. Private link available. One short hook and one link.

Common terms and acronyms explained with real life examples

We promised no confusion. Here are the essential terms explained like you are telling a friend who thinks streaming is a brand of soda.

• DAW means digital audio workstation. It is the software you record in like Ableton, Logic Pro, Cubase or Pro Tools. Think of it as your kitchen where you cook the song. If the DAW is messy your meal will be messy so clean as you go.
• ISRC means International Standard Recording Code. It is a unique ID for a specific recording. Giving a recording an ISRC is like putting a serial number on a vinyl so revenue from plays can be tracked.
• UPC means Universal Product Code. It identifies the whole release, like the single or the album. It is similar to the barcode you see at the grocery store.
• PRO means performance rights organization. Examples are BMI and ASCAP. They collect payments when your songs are publicly performed. Registering is how you get money when your song plays on radio or in a cafe. The equivalent for your grandma is getting paid when her favorite song is played on the radio at bingo night.
• LUFS means Loudness Units relative to Full Scale. It measures perceived loudness over time. Streaming platforms adjust loudness using LUFS so aim for the platform target so your song does not get turned into a pancake or into a whisper.
• Stems are groups of tracks exported together like drums, bass, guitars, vocals and effects. Think of stems as building blocks that let a remixer rebuild your track without needing the entire project file.
• Comp means compiling the best pieces of multiple takes into one performance. It is like cutting a movie scene from multiple camera angles so the final scene is flawless.

Action plan you can use right now

1. Print this page or open it on a second screen.
2. Walk through the master checklist and tick the items you have already done.
3. Prioritize the first unchecked item and set a timer for 45 minutes to complete it without distraction.
4. Do a final listening pass in three different systems and note any changes you want to make.
5. Freeze the project. Create zipped backups and upload to your distributor.
6. Create one social post that directs fans to your pre save link and schedule it for a time you know your audience is online.

Song Finishing Checklist FAQ

How long before release should I upload my masters

Upload at least two weeks before your chosen release date. This gives the distributor time to process and allows you to fix metadata or artwork issues. For playlist pitching or radio allow even more lead time. Think of uploading as buying a ticket. Do it early to avoid the line.

What file format should I deliver to my distributor

Deliver a high quality WAV file. Common specs are 24 bit and 44.1 kilohertz. Include a 320 kilobit per second MP3 for quick sharing if required. Check your distributor for exact specs because some services ask for different formats for special projects.

Do I need ISRC codes before I upload

It is best to have ISRC codes assigned or request them from your distributor during upload. The ISRC uniquely identifies your recording and is used to collect royalties. If you do not assign them the distributor can assign codes but having your own makes administrative control easier.

How should I name my stems

Name stems with the song title, part name and BPM or sample rate. For example SongTitle_Vocals_120BPM.wav. Clear naming saves time and prestige among remixers who will never forgive vague file names.

When should I register with my PRO

Register your song with your performance rights organization as soon as splits are agreed. Do this before release so performance royalties are assigned accurately. Registration is the thing that pays you long after release day is over.

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