What are the first steps to upload a track on SoundCloud?

Uploading your music to SoundCloud is simple and gets your tracks in front of listeners quickly. To get started, navigate to the Upload page by clicking the Upload button in the top navigation bar on your computer.

Once on the Upload page, you can either click Choose files to select your track(s) from your computer, or simply drag and drop one or multiple files directly onto the screen.

If you’re on a Basic or Artist tier account, be mindful of your remaining upload minutes. Attempting to upload files that exceed your available minutes may cause some tracks to be hidden until you free up space or upgrade your plan.

For details on file types, size limits, and other important upload requirements, see our guide: SoundCloud Upload Requirements.

What happens during the transcoding process on SoundCloud?

Once you have selected your audio file, it will start uploading immediately, and SoundCloud will transcode it for streaming. Tracks are transcoded to 128 kbps MP3 and 64 kbps OPUS for streaming playback. If your audio file is eligible, it will also be transcoded to high-quality 256kbps AAC. 

Why should I enable downloads for my tracks on SoundCloud?

Enabling downloads for your tracks lets fans access the original, high-quality files instead of the compressed streaming versions. This is a great way to share your music in its full quality and give listeners the best possible experience.

Checklist for Optimizing Track Metadata:

Title: Ensure it is clear, descriptive, and relevant.

Description: Add engaging and informative details about your track.

Tags: Use specific and relevant tags to enhance discoverability.

Image: Upload a visually appealing image that represents your track.

Privacy Settings: Choose whether your track is public, private, or scheduled.

Buy Link: Add a link if you want to sell your track.

Release Date: Specify the release date, especially if you're sharing a new track.

License: Choose the appropriate license for your track.

Permissions: Decide on download availability, embedding options, app playback settings, and whether to enable Quiet Mode.