If your music sounds different on a streaming service like Spotify compared to the file you uploaded to DistroKid, it's likely due to the compression used for faster downloads. Many stores and streaming services apply compression to audio files to speed up the streaming process. Unfortunately, this can result in the compressed audio sounding a bit different from the original tracks you uploaded to DistroKid.
As streaming services continue to adopt uncompressed, "lossless" streaming, this issue should become less common.
In the meanwhile, there's usually a way for listeners to make audio sound better from within streaming apps. For example, in the Spotify app (desktop or mobile), paid users can go into "Preferences" and turn on "High Quality Streaming."
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