Content Style Guide

Effective Date: 14.05.2023

Last Updated: 29.03.2026

This Content Style Guide outlines the technical and quality requirements for all music submitted to Waves Music Group. Compliance ensures your releases meet the standards of platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.

1. General Submission Requirements

• Originality: All content must be 100% original or properly licensed.

• Metadata Accuracy: Artist names, track titles, and contributor roles must be accurate and formatted correctly.

• Audio Format: Minimum 16-bit / 44.1kHz WAV (High-quality MP3s are not accepted for distribution).

• Artwork Quality: Minimum 3000 x 3000 pixels, RGB color mode, 300 DPI, in JPG or PNG format.

2. Prohibited & Restricted Content

To protect our distribution network, the following are strictly prohibited:

• Copyright Infringement: Use of unauthorized samples, beats, or lyrics.

• Misleading Metadata: Using famous artist names in titles (e.g., "Type Beat" or "ft. Drake" if not official) to manipulate search results.

• Hate Speech: Content promoting violence, discrimination, or illegal acts.

• Generic Titles: Tracks named "Track 1", "Untitled", or "New Song" will be rejected.

3. Remixes, Covers & Samples (Legal Requirements)

We strictly enforce licensing rules for non-original material:

• Covers: You must have a mechanical license for the underlying composition.

• Remixes: You must provide a signed Master Use License from the original label or artist.

• Samples: Any sampled audio (even 1 second) must be cleared.

• Required Documentation: License agreements, written permissions, or proof of purchase from licensing agencies must be submitted via email to wavesmusicgroup@mail.com before distribution.

4. Technical Audio Standards

• Mastering: Audio must be free of clipping, distortion, or excessive silence at the beginning/end.

• Loudness: Recommended integrated loudness of -14 LUFS to match streaming normalization.

• Tags: No "voice tags" (e.g., "Purchase your tracks today") or watermarks are allowed in the final distribution version.

5. Artwork Guidelines

• Text Limits: Only the Artist Name and Release Title should appear.

• Prohibited Elements: No URLs, social media handles (@usernames), logos of streaming platforms (Spotify/Apple logos), or pricing info.

• Image Quality: No blurry, pixelated, or stretched images.

• Explicit Content: Artwork with violence or nudity must be flagged as "Explicit" in the metadata and comply with store policies.

6. Metadata & Formatting Rules

• Title Case: Titles must use standard capitalization (e.g., "The Ocean Waves", not "the ocean waves" or "THE OCEAN WAVES").

• Featured Artists: Must be listed in the "Featured Artist" field, not directly in the track title.

• Primary Artist: The name must match the name used on previous releases to ensure correct mapping to artist profiles.

7. Final Review & Rejection

Waves Music Group performs a manual quality check on every release. We reserve the right to:

• Reject content that fails to meet these standards.

• Request edits to metadata or artwork before delivery.

• Permanently ban users who repeatedly submit infringing material.