What is the difference between Mixtape, Album and EP?

In today's music scene, it's common to come across different release formats. The terms "mixtape," "album" and "EP" are often used, but what do they really mean and what are their differences? And for artists who want to submit their music to YouTube Music, how does this process work? In this article, we'll explore these questions in detail.

What is a Mixtape?

A mixtape is a collection of songs that generally do not follow a specific concept. Historically, mixtapes were recorded on cassette tapes and exchanged between DJs and fans. Nowadays, digital platforms have facilitated the distribution of these compilations. Mixtapes are commonly used by artists to present new materials, test different sounds, and share songs that have not entered official albums.

What is an Album?

An album is a more cohesive collection of songs planned to be heard together. Albums tend to follow a specific theme or concept, and generally contain more tracks than a mixtape or EP. They are more productive in terms of production and are released commercially with the expectation of generating sales and critical recognition.

What is an EP?

EP stands for "Extended Play" and is a release that has more songs than a single, but less than a full album. Generally, an EP contains four to six tracks and serves as a way for artists to release new music more often without the commitment to create a full album. It's a great way to keep fans interested among album releases.

Main Differences Between Mixtape, Album and EP

While a mixtape can be seen as a loose collection of songs, an album is a complete and cohesive work. The EP, on the other hand, is somewhere between the two, offering something more substantial than a single, but without the complexity of an album. The mixtape can be free and easily distributed, while the album is generally released commercially. The EP serves as a companion, offering enough material to hold fans' attention without the need for a longer release campaign.

How to Music to YouTube Music as an Artist

Now that we understand the differences between mixtape, album and EP, let's approach the process of submitting music to YouTube Music as an artist. YouTube Music is a powerful platform to distribute your music and reach a global audience. Here are the steps to submitting your music:

1. Create a Google Account:To get started, you need a Google account. If you don't already have one, go to the Google account creation page and follow the instructions.
2. Set up YouTube Channel:With the Google account created, go to YouTube and set up a channel. Be sure to customize your channel with contact information, biography and cover photos.
3. Use an Official:To submit your music to YouTube Music, you will need to use an official distributor such asSoundOn. These companies partner with YouTube Music and facilitate the upload, metadata and recording process.
4. Prepare your Songs:Make sure your music is in high quality and you have all rights to it. Most distributors will require audio files in WAV or FLAC format.
5. your Songs:Follow the official distributor's instructions to submit your music. Normally, you will need to upload audio files, add metadata (such as title, artist, album, etc.) and choose the release date.
6. Promote your Launch:After submitting your music, it's important to promote it. Use your social networks, email marketing and YouTube itself to create suggestions and let your fans know about the new release.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between a mixtape, an album and an EP is critical for any artist who wants to maximize their impact on the music scene. Each format has its unique advantages and can be used strategically to achieve different goals. Also, submitting your music to YouTube Music as an artist is a great step towards gaining more visibility and growing your fan base. If you are not yet a SoundOn artist,register right nowand start distributing your music globally.