Zach Weeks: Apple Digital Masters

Zach Weeks & God City: Apple Digital Masters Provider

I am an Apple-approved Apple Digital Masters mastering engineer. Apple Digital Masters (previously known as Mastered for iTunes) gives Apple Music and iTunes providers a way to deliver high-resolution masters with the highest quality audio on Apple streaming platforms.

In a world where audiences are mainly consuming music through online streaming services, a strong emphasis must be placed on the techniques used in mastering to make sure that your music will translate to your listeners' ears in the highest-fidelity possible. Streaming technology is constantly changing and master files that might sound great on a CD or vinyl could sound boxy and compressed on a streaming service.

To quote Apple's website: By starting with the best possible masters, we are able to offer our Apple Music and iTunes customers the highest possible quality audio. Our latest encoder can take advantage of every bit of the high-resolution masters that engineers are creating especially for us. The results, both for streaming and download, are virtually indistinguishable from the original 24 bit studio masters. We are committed to delivering music as the artists and sound engineers intend it to be heard.


When submitting Apple Digital Masters (again, previously known as Mastered for iTunes) files to your aggregator / distributor, you will need to provide my contact info so Apple can crosscheck it in their list of approved mastering houses. My ADM Provider credentials are as follows:

  • Mastering Engineer's Email: me@zachweeks.com
  • Mastering Engineer's Name: Zach Weeks
  • Mastering House / Studio Name: God City

My email address is used as a “unique identifier” — when a label or aggregator would like a release to be badged and marketed as an Apple Digital Master, they will need this information to give to their iTunes rep. As of December 2020, independent aggregator / distributor services DistroKid (instructions) and CD Baby (instructions) support Apple Digital Masters files. You can find a complete list here on Apple's website of additional partners providing Apple Digital Masters distribution and encoding.

If you have any other questions, please contact me at me@zachweeks.com. Thanks!

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