To transfer your music catalog from another distributor to ORB, activate a paid plan, prepare each release using its original audio, artwork and identifiers, submit it through ORB, and verify the replacement delivery before requesting removal from your old distributor. Importing a release from Spotify prepares a draft; it does not move the audio or complete the transfer.

This guide covers switching from DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, Ditto Music (Ditto), LANDR, Amuse, UnitedMasters, Believe, Platoon and other distributors. The same recording can be redelivered by a new distributor, but stores decide whether to match the replacement to the existing track. Streams, saves, playlist placements and uninterrupted availability are not guaranteed.

What does transferring a music catalog mean?

A catalog transfer is a new delivery of recordings you already released, not a transfer of your old distributor login. ORB submits the music to stores using matching recording and release information. After the new delivery is verified, you request a takedown of the old delivery.

Your old account's royalty balance, payout history, subscription and contracts do not migrate automatically. Keep access to that account for any outstanding royalties or reporting.

What do I need before I change music distributor?

Prepare a transfer folder for every single, EP or album:

• Original audio masters: Upload your original WAV or FLAC files for every track. A Spotify link, streaming preview, downloaded stream or screen recording is not a master.
• Original artwork: Use the same cover where possible, and meet ORB's cover-art requirements.
• Track ISRCs: Keep the original ISRC for the same recording. Do not generate a fresh ISRC simply because you are changing distributor.
• Release UPC/EAN: Preserve the existing release code for the same release. If you are changing the release itself, ask support which identifiers are appropriate.
• Matching metadata: Record the artist name, featured artists, titles, version labels, explicit flags, track order, songwriter credits and original release date.
• Store and artist-profile links: Save your existing release links and Spotify/Apple Music artist-profile links to help identify the correct catalog.
• Rights and permissions: Confirm you can move the recordings. Obtain label or rights-holder permission where required, and retain licenses and agreements.

Helpful tip: Make a checklist with one row per track: title, ISRC, original master filename and duration. Check every row before submitting. A renamed file is not a substitute for checking that the actual recording is unchanged.

How do I transfer my music catalog to ORB step by step?

1. Activate an eligible paid plan. Catalog Transfer is available to active Artist, Artist Plus, and Label & Team subscribers, not the Free plan. There is no separate transfer service charge; normal plan and track-credit requirements still apply. Check current pricing and how track credits work.
2. Open Catalog Transfer in your artist dashboard. Use the Catalog Transfer page and identify your current distributor and existing releases.
3. Find and select the releases on Spotify. Import the release information to prepare drafts. Selecting a Spotify release does not download its masters, complete distribution, or authorize cancellation with your old provider.
4. Open each imported release and complete it. Upload an original master for every track, confirm the artwork, supply or verify original ISRC and UPC/EAN codes, and check the matching metadata and artist profiles. Missing audio must be supplied even when a track title has already been imported.
5. Set the delivery schedule and preserve the original date. Keep the historical original release date separate from the date for the new delivery. Follow the editor's current lead-time requirements rather than treating a previously released recording as a new song.
6. Submit each release through the normal release workflow. Follow the release-submission guide. A transfer request or prepared draft is not a submitted release. Complete any requested corrections, and follow the individual release status.
7. Verify delivery, then arrange the old takedown. Check the replacement on the stores that matter to you, including the recording, artwork, artist page and any available track-linking results. Only then follow your old distributor's cancellation process for that specific release. Contact ORB support if matching or removal is unclear.

Helpful tip: Do not cancel your entire old catalog just because one transferred release is live. Verify every release separately. A transfer request's administrative status and each release's delivery status are different.

How do I transfer my catalog from DistroKid to ORB?

Keep a record of each DistroKid release's UPC and each track's ISRC, then use those original identifiers when completing the ORB draft. Upload the same masters and check that artist names and version labels match. Do not request new codes just to change distributor.

Use ORB's transfer and resubmission steps above, verify the replacement deliveries, and then arrange removal of the specific old releases through DistroKid. Cancellation of a DistroKid subscription and removal of a release are separate actions; check the options and any add-ons on your own account before acting.

Helpful tip: DistroKid's official switching guide describes moving to DistroKid. Do not assume its timing instructions apply to a transfer to ORB.

How do I transfer my catalog from TuneCore to ORB?

Collect the original song ISRCs and album or single UPCs from your existing release records. Preserve the recording and release identity when resubmitting through ORB. Check the track order and version as well as the codes; an album with different tracks is not automatically the same release.

Verify the ORB replacement before following TuneCore's current process to remove the old delivery. Keep access to TuneCore for outstanding balances and reports. TuneCore's official switching guidance explains reuse of codes for an identical release, but its checkout steps are for moving to TuneCore, not to ORB.

How do I transfer my catalog from CD Baby to ORB?

Gather the original master files, artwork, ISRCs and UPC from your release records. Complete and submit the ORB versions, then verify the replacement delivery before cancelling the old CD Baby distribution.

Read CD Baby's official takedown instructions before using cancellation options. Its guidance states that cancellation can also affect social-video monetization services. Check those services separately rather than assuming a store transfer moves every monetization arrangement.

How do I transfer my catalog from Ditto to ORB?

To transfer your catalog from Ditto Music to ORB, prepare the original files and codes, complete and submit each ORB release, verify the new delivery, then request removal of the old Ditto Music delivery.

Use the same per-release checklist and original identifiers. Check that older EPs, albums, clean versions and explicit versions are not mixed together when preparing the drafts. Preserve the original release date separately from the replacement delivery schedule.

After checking the ORB delivery, use Ditto's current release-removal process or ask its support team about the specific releases. Account cancellation alone is not proof that a release has been removed.

How do I transfer my catalog from LANDR to ORB?

Locate the exact audio masters used for the original distribution. If you have several mastered versions in your files, do not accidentally upload a newer master while requesting a match to the old recording. Reuse the existing ISRC only for the same recording.

Keep the release metadata and identifiers consistent, complete the ORB drafts, verify the new store delivery, and then arrange removal of the old LANDR delivery through its current support or dashboard process.

How do I transfer my catalog from Amuse to ORB?

Collect the original release information and audio, complete the ORB drafts, and check collaborators, featured artists and track order before submission. An import does not transfer existing financial split arrangements or payout balances.

Verify delivery first, then follow Amuse's current process for withdrawing the old release. Recreate any needed royalty arrangements in ORB using the royalty-splits guide.

How do I transfer my catalog from UnitedMasters to ORB?

Check the terms that apply to your releases before moving them, especially if a separate label, licensing or distribution agreement is involved. A successful Spotify import does not override an agreement or prove you have permission to redeliver the masters.

Once you confirm your rights, use the same original-file and identifier checklist, submit through ORB, verify the replacement, and arrange the old removal with UnitedMasters.

How do I transfer my catalog from Believe to ORB?

For label-managed catalogs, obtain authorization from the party controlling distribution and the master recordings. Ask that party for the original audio, artwork, release metadata, ISRCs and UPC/EAN codes, and agree who will request the old takedown.

An artist's public profile alone is not enough to authorize a transfer. Coordinate the move with your label or distribution contact, complete the ORB releases, and verify delivery before removing the old versions.

How do I transfer my catalog from Platoon to ORB?

Ask your Platoon or label contact who controls the existing delivery and who can authorize its removal. Confirm that moving distribution does not conflict with any separate agreement that applies to the recordings.

Collect the original masters, artwork and identifiers from the authorized party, complete the ORB drafts, and arrange the old removal only after replacement delivery is verified. Changing distributor does not automatically end a separate management, licensing or publishing agreement.

Will I keep my Spotify streams and playlist placements?

Using the same recording, original ISRC and matching metadata gives stores the information they need to consider linking the replacement. Spotify's re-uploading guidance explains track linking and matching recording information.

Store matching is not guaranteed. ORB cannot promise preservation of every stream count, save, playlist placement or chart history. A temporary duplicate listing or an unmatched replacement needs investigation, not an immediate second upload with new codes. Send support the old and new store links, original codes and affected tracks.

Helpful tip: Spotify's guide says you can check track linking in its desktop app by comparing the song's play count on your artist profile. If the count is not visible, make the window wider. This check is specific to Spotify; verify other stores separately.

Should I remove my music from the old distributor first?

For ORB's transfer workflow, keep the existing delivery available while the replacement is prepared and verified. Do not request a takedown merely because you have imported metadata or submitted a draft.

Removal timing depends on the old distributor, store and rights arrangements. If your agreement or a rights dispute requires a different sequence, contact support before proceeding. No workflow can guarantee zero downtime on every platform.

Does YouTube Content ID transfer automatically?

No. Existing Content ID ownership or social-video monetization enrollment does not automatically move with store delivery. Coordinate release of the old ownership before replacement ownership is activated, and tell ORB support about existing claims.

Do not enroll the same recording with overlapping Content ID administrators. Content ID is a separate, eligible per-release workflow, not something every catalog transfer automatically includes.

How long does a catalog transfer take?

Preparation, ORB review, store delivery, track matching and your old distributor's removal are separate stages. ORB's published approval timeline is within 24 hours; this is not a promise that stores will complete delivery or matching within 24 hours.

The total transfer time varies by catalog size, completeness of materials, store processing and rights coordination. Follow the actual release status and verify the store links instead of relying on a fixed transfer-completion date.

What happens to royalties earned before the transfer?

Your old distributor remains responsible for royalties it collected under the old delivery and its payment terms. Historical balances are not moved into the ORB Wallet. Keep your old statements and payout access.

Royalties reported through ORB are shown separately in your ORB account. Changing distributor does not erase an unpaid balance owed by your previous provider.

What if my old distributor is not listed here?

The same transfer checklist applies: confirm your rights, collect original materials and identifiers, complete the ORB drafts, submit, verify replacement delivery, and coordinate removal of the old versions. Ask your current distributor for its up-to-date release-removal instructions.

Ready to start? Open Catalog Transfer. For an overview, see catalog transfer with ORB. If you lack original masters, cannot find your codes, or see a conflicting claim, contact support before requesting a takedown.