In today’s fast evolving music ecosystem, making strategic decisions is crucial for labels, distributors, and music professionals alike. One of the most important and often complex decisions is catalog migration. While common, this process presents significant challenges.

Growing competition among platforms, the search for better contractual terms, the need for greater control over data, or simply the desire to optimize daily operations have led more and more music professionals to rethink where and how they manage their content.

However, this transition goes far beyond moving files from one system to another. Migrating a catalog involves a series of technical, legal, and operational decisions that can directly impact monetization, visibility, and the reputation of the music project.

This article explores the main risks of this process and offers practical solutions for carrying out a safe, strategic, and smooth migration.

Common challenges when migrating a music catalog

While the idea of a fresh start is appealing, migrating without proper preparation can lead to significant problems. The most common obstacles include:

Fragmentation and Lack of Centralized Communication
Migration projects can stall if there isn’t a single, well defined communication channel. Dispersed interactions across multiple emails cause duplication, make followups difficult, and slow down the process. 

Lack of Technical and Regulatory Experience
Many labels and distributors have never undergone a migration and, unfamiliar with the day to day of large scale digital distribution, underestimate its complexity. Ignorance of standards like DDEX, ISRC and ISWC codes, metadata standardization, or licensing complexities can lead to delivery errors and platform blocks.

Legal Risks and Contaminated Catalogs
Uploading unlicensed, duplicate, or questionable-rights tracks often causes conflicts and may result in lawsuits or account suspensions. A “contaminated” catalog compromises credibility and business operations.

Data Loss and Visibility Issues
Poorly managed migrations can cause loss of valuable historical data. For example, on YouTube, Art Tracks lose views when new IDs are generated. Proper management of Official Artist Channels is key to mitigating this impact.

Disrupted Royalty Flows and Reporting
Errors during migration can interrupt payments and cause inconsistencies in financial reports, affecting liquidity and complicating accounting control.

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Best Practices for a Safe Migration

Despite these risks, migrating a catalog safely and strategically is completely achievable if certain fundamental principles are followed:

1. Audit and Structured Catalog Planning

• Identify valid and duplicate tracks.
• Verify licenses and rights (master and publishing).
• Correct and normalize metadata.
• Standardize files (audio and artwork).
• Strategically prioritize the most relevant catalog.

2. Centralized and Transparent Communication one clear channel with defined roles speeds decisions and issue resolution.

3. Specialized Technical Support experts in DDEX and DSP specifications minimize errors, improve data quality, and prevent blocks. At SonoSuite, our team supports you every step of the way.

4. Active Monitoring and Post-Migration Verification ensure everything is correctly published, updated, and functioning, with regular reports.

5. Transparency with Stakeholders informs about potential impacts (such as view losses) to manage expectations and maintain trust.

Migration as a Strategic Growth Pillar

Catalog migration should be understood as a strategic action. When done well, it can:

• Optimize royalty management.
  
  
• Revitalize older works.
  
  
• Centralize information and operations.
  
  
• Facilitate sustainable and organized growth.

The key is not just to migrate, but to do it thoughtfully, with planning and proper support. Catalog migration doesn’t have to be risky, it can be an opportunity to fix past mistakes, gain efficiency, and better position your assets in the digital market.

With good communication, a clear structure, and expert technical support, challenges can become a solid step toward consolidating a label or distributor’s growth.

A well executed migration is an opportunity, not a problem

This is where solutions like those offered by SonoSuite make a difference. With standardized and audited processes, personalized attention that understands technical complexity, and ongoing monitoring from start to finish, we help ensure a safe, transparent, and successful migration, making sure our clients never feel alone during this crucial journey.

Ready to optimize your music catalog? Contact us today for a personalized consultation and discover how SonoSuite can make your migration a success.

SonoSuite: Your Partner for Migration and Sustainable Growth

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