What is Daystar Distro?

Daystar Distro is a music distribution platform for independent artists. Upload your music, manage your releases, and track what you earn from it all in one place.

Do I need an account before I upload?

Yes. You need an account to start a release. All artists must complete their artist profile and upload an artist image before they can submit their first release.

What is the First-Release Readiness?

Before submitting your first release, you are required to complete your artist profile and upload an artist image in the Artist profile page. This ensures your music is mapped to the correct artist profile on streaming platforms and stores. This will also prevent your music from being released on the wrong artist profile on streaming platforms and stores. Not providing accurate artist information may result in loss of royalties.

Can I keep using Daystar if I have released elsewhere before?

Yes. You can release new music with Daystar or move your existing catalog items where you control the rights and metadata. For re-releases, ensure you select the "Re-release" during upload and enter your original UPC and ISRC codes.

What are the current plan prices?

Nova: One-time pay-per-release pricing. Single $5.99 (1-2 tracks), EP $12.99 (3-6 tracks), Album $19.99 (7-25 tracks). Keep 80% of net royalties.

Orion: Founders pricing of $29.99/year (regularly $39.99/year) for unlimited uploads while active. Keep 100% of net royalties.

Priority Delivery: Included for free on the Orion plan. Available as an optional +$24.99 add-on per release on the Nova plan.

Is Nova a subscription?

No. Nova is pay-per-release with no recurring annual fee for the plan itself. You pay only when you are ready to drop music.

What happens if Orion is not renewed?

Your music is not taken down on either plan! If you do not renew your annual Orion plan, your active releases stay live on all platforms. Your account simply reverts to Nova terms (80% net royalties) for future royalty periods and subsequent releases.

When can I request a refund?

No refunds are offered at this time, unless there is a mistake on our part. Contact [email protected] to discuss. Once a release has been finalized and submitted for review/distribution, fees are non-refundable.

Can I release on Nova then upgrade to Orion?

Yes! But your release will be subject to the terms of the plan you are on at the time of release. This means that if you release on nova and then upgrade to orion, your nova release will still be subject to the nova terms.

How long do approved refunds take?

Approved refunds are typically returned within 5-7 business days to the original payment method.

How does one upload their music for distribution on Daystar Distro?

First create your account, then set up your artist profile with your name. Once your profile is complete, you can upload your music. Go to the upload page to start the process and it follows as:

1. Package: Choose Single, EP, or Album. Nova users can opt for Priority Delivery.

2. Type of Release: Brand New Release vs. Re-release (moving your catalog from another distributor).

3. Release Info: Title, Version, and Primary Artist name.

4. Genre & Rights: Select primary/subgenre, C & P copyright lines, and metadata language.

5. Setup: Release setup information.

6. Cover Art: Upload artwork and complete the mandatory AI disclosure.

7. Audio Upload: Upload audio files (WAV or FLAC).

8. Track Details: Match audio files, enter track metadata, contributor names and roles, and lyrics.

9. Release & Platforms: Set release date, time, and timezone. Apple Digital Masters (ADM) selection, and select distribution platforms.

10. Review/Submit: Verify submission details and accept rights confirmations. Submit release (Orion Users).

11. Payment/Submit: Complete Payment and submit release (Nova Users).

You can check the status of your release on your artist dashboard.

Daystar Distro has the fastest upload process than any other distributior. We make it simple and easier to get your music out to the world without a complicated and time consuming upload process./p>

What is the delivery timeline?

While we try our best to get your music in stores quickly, some issues may occur that cause delays. As a result we can not guarantee an exact live date on every dsp for unplanned releases.

Daystar begins final processing and review within 24-48 hours after payment and/or submission.

Standard Delivery: Typically 7-14 business days. (Free on Nova and Orion). We do our best to get your music released as soon as possible, but keep in mind that the stores also need time to process your music.

Priority Delivery: Typically 3-5 business days. (Free on Orion, +$24.99 on Nova).

For scheduled releases, we target your chosen go-live date. For best results and for playlist pitching and other opportunities, we highly recommend submitting 4-6 weeks in advance. While you're anxious for the world to hear your music, this will give you the best chance of getting your music heard.

Which platforms are supported?

We deliver worldwide to major platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Deezer, Pandora, iHeartRadio, Audiomack, Boomplay, TikTok, Meta (Instagram/Facebook), Snapchat, and iTunes. Also song recognition engines are included in our distribution plans.

Where do I see release status?

Use your artist dashboard to monitor your release progress. Dashboard status labels include: Submitted, In Review, Needs Edits, Processing, Delivered, Pending Live, Live, Takedown, and Problem.

Can Daystar guarantee an exact live date on every DSP?

No.While we try our best to get your music in stores quickly, some issues may occur that cause delays. As a result we can not guarantee an exact live date on every dsp.

Do I keep ownership of my music?

Yes. You keep 100% ownership of your music, recordings, and publishing. Daystar Distro acts solely as your distributor.

How are royalties handled?

Nova: You keep 80% of net royalties collected from DSPs.

Orion: You keep 100% of net royalties collected from DSPs while your Orion plan is active.

Net royalties: This refers to earnings actually received from our distribution partner after fees, adjustments, and streams or royalties removed due to fraud, artificial streaming, or invalid activity including release takedowns that violates our terms of service.

When are payouts sent?

Royalties are reported quarterly. Once your payable balance reaches at least $25 you can request a payout on your earnings.

Can I request takedowns?

Yes. You can request a takedown from the dashboard or by contacting support at any time. Once processed, it can take 2-14 business days or longer for stores to remove the release.

What audio files are accepted?

WAV or FLAC format only. Compressed MP3/AAC formats are not accepted. The minimum audio quality is 16-bit/44.1 kHz (stereo), though 24-bit/48kHz or higher is highly recommended.

What are the cover art requirements?

Use a square JPG or PNG in RGB color space. Dimensions must be at least 1000x1000 pixels (3000x3000px is highly recommended). The image must not contain contact info, social handles, website links, pricing, or platform logos.

Do I need to disclose AI-generated artwork?

Yes. Apple Music and other stores mandate a clear disclosure if cover art was created with AI. Select the AI disclosure checkbox during the Cover Art section of upload to prevent rejections.

Are UPC and ISRC codes provided?

Yes. Daystar automatically generates valid, industry-standard UPC and ISRC codes for your releases at no extra charge. Alternatively, you can enter your own codes if you are moving releases from another distributor.

What is required for Apple Digital Master (ADM)?

If your tracks have been mastered by an Apple-approved engineer and conform to ADM standards, select the ADM checkbox in the Release & Platforms section during upload. You will need to provide the mastering engineer's name and verification email during upload.

What can cause a release delay or rejection?

Common issues include artwork containing text/logos, poor audio quality, metadata mismatches (e.g., track artist spelling not matching release artist), incorrect UPC/ISRC formats during re-releases, or failure to disclose AI-generated artwork and or use of AI in your music.

Which legal pages should I review?

Review our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Distribution Agreement before submitting releases. These details govern our distribution relationship.

How do I contact support?

Email [email protected]. Please include your registered account email and any relevant release titles for assistance.

How do I make a privacy or deletion request?

Email [email protected]. Please reach out to us to request data deletion or any privacy concerns. Also you can simply go to the artist profile page and request your account to be deleted there.