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Why Music Video Distribution Matters

Streaming has changed how fans experience music — and video is a massive part of that. Music videos on dedicated streaming platforms generate significantly higher engagement than audio streams alone. Fans who watch your video are more likely to follow, add tracks to playlists, and share your music with others.

But there's a key difference between uploading to YouTube directly and distributing your music video through an official distributor. With proper distribution, your video appears on platform-curated playlists, earns publishing royalties, links directly to your audio release, and counts toward your official streaming metrics on Tidal and Apple Music.

Where OneSync Distributes Your Music Video

Music Video Distribution vs. Uploading to YouTube

Many artists don't realize there's a difference between uploading a video to YouTube and distributing it through an official distributor. Here's why the distinction matters:

Video File Requirements

Before you submit your music video through OneSync, make sure your file meets platform standards. These apply across YouTube Music, Tidal, and Apple Music Video:

Video Specs

• Format: MP4 (H.264 or H.265 codec)
• Minimum resolution: 1080p (1920×1080). 4K (3840×2160) is accepted and recommended for Tidal and Apple Music.
• Aspect ratio: 16:9 standard. Vertical (9:16) is not accepted for official video distribution.
• Frame rate: 24, 25, or 30 fps
• Max file size: 5GB
• Min duration: 60 seconds

Audio Specs (embedded in video)

• Codec: AAC
• Bitrate: 320 kbps or higher
• Sample rate: 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz
• Channels: Stereo (no mono)

Artwork & Thumbnail

• You'll need a video thumbnail image: 1280×720 minimum, JPG or PNG
• The thumbnail should not include platform logos (YouTube, Apple, Tidal), URLs, or misleading content
• Your existing release artwork will be used as a fallback thumbnail if none is provided

How to Submit Your Music Video Through OneSync

1. Log in to your OneSync dashboard at app.onesync.music
2. Select your existing audio release — music videos must be linked to a release already in your catalog
3. Upload your video file (MP4, H.264/H.265, 1080p minimum)
4. Add your thumbnail and confirm your video metadata (title, artist, ISRC)
5. Select your video platforms — choose YouTube Music, Tidal, Apple Music Video, or all three
6. Submit for review — OneSync reviews your file for technical compliance before delivery

Processing typically takes 2–5 business days. You'll receive an email confirmation when each platform publishes your video.

Music Video Royalties: How They Work

Music video distribution generates two types of royalties — and OneSync collects both:

Master Royalties

These are paid by the platform (YouTube Music, Tidal, Apple Music) based on views and subscriber value. They're paid to the rights holder of the recording — that's you. OneSync deposits these directly to your account monthly.

Publishing Royalties

If you wrote the song, you're also owed publishing royalties every time your video is streamed. These are separate from master royalties and are collected through publishing administration. OneSync's built-in publishing admin collects these for you automatically. Learn more about publishing admin →

YouTube Music vs. Tidal vs. Apple Music Video: What to Expect

YouTube Music

YouTube Music has the largest global reach for music videos. Distributed videos appear in YouTube Music's dedicated "Videos" tab for your artist profile and can be featured in curated playlists. This is separate from your standard YouTube channel — it's official distributor-delivered content. You can still run your YouTube channel independently alongside this.

Tidal

Tidal is the platform most serious about video quality. It supports Dolby Vision and HDR, and its subscriber base skews toward premium music listeners who actively engage with artist content. Music videos on Tidal get higher per-stream payout rates than most platforms due to Tidal's subscription pricing model.

Apple Music Video

Apple Music Video creates a dedicated "Videos" tab on your artist page in Apple Music. With over 100 million subscribers globally, Apple Music Video gives your content significant exposure — especially in markets like the US, UK, Japan, and Australia. Videos are eligible for Apple Music's editorial features and "New Music" sections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I distribute a lyric video, not just an official video?

Yes. Lyric videos, visualizers, and official music videos are all accepted. The video must be at least 60 seconds, meet the technical specs above, and not consist solely of static images.

Do I need to remove my YouTube upload if I distribute officially?

No. Your existing YouTube upload stays live. The official distributor-delivered version goes into YouTube Music specifically, which is a different product from the main YouTube platform.

Can I distribute music videos for old releases?

Yes. You can add a video to any release in your OneSync catalog — including releases that are already live on streaming platforms.

What if my video gets rejected?

OneSync reviews all videos for technical compliance before delivery. If your file has an issue, we'll flag it and tell you exactly what needs to be fixed — you won't lose your submission slot.