SoundCloud Integration
LabelGrid’s SoundCloud integration lets you post individual tracks to your SoundCloud profile with control over clips, buy links, and visibility settings.
What You Can Do
- Post individual tracks to SoundCloud
- Upload full-length tracks or clips
- Add buy links to drive purchases
- Control track visibility (public/private)
- Enable/disable downloads
- Schedule posts for specific times
- Manage posting rules to avoid rate limits
Connecting Your SoundCloud Account
Before posting, you need to connect your SoundCloud account to LabelGrid.
Adding a SoundCloud Account
- Click Distribution in the main menu, then click the Soundcloud tab
- Click the Manage Accounts button in the top right
- Click Add Account
- Enter your account details:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | A friendly name for this account |
| Posting Rules | Throttling setting to prevent rate limits |
- Click Submit to save
Note: SoundCloud uses OAuth for authentication. You may be redirected to SoundCloud to authorize the connection.
Posting Rules
Posting rules prevent you from hitting SoundCloud’s rate limits:
| Rule | Description |
|---|---|
| Unlimited | No throttling - use carefully |
| 1 per hour | Maximum one post per hour |
| 1 per day | Maximum one post per day |
| 1 per week | Maximum one post per week |
Tip: Start with conservative posting rules (1 per day) and adjust based on your account’s standing with SoundCloud.
Account Connection Status
| Status | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| OK | Account connected successfully | Ready to post |
| Error | Connection issue | Re-authorize the account |
Posting to SoundCloud
Creating a SoundCloud Post
- Click Distribution in the main menu, then click the Soundcloud tab
- Click the + Add Soundcloud Delivery button
- Configure your post settings
Post Settings
| Setting | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tracks to Post | Select one or more tracks | Required |
| SoundCloud Destination | Choose which account to post to | Required |
| Scheduled Delivery Time (GMT) | When to post | Optional - respects posting rules |
| Make this post public | Visibility setting | Public or Private |
| Buy Link Text | Call-to-action text | Your CTA (e.g., “Buy Now”) |
| Buy Link | URL for purchase | Leave blank for auto LabelGrid shortUrl |
| Make this post downloadable | Allow downloads | On/Off toggle |
| Upload full-length track | Post complete audio or clip | On/Off toggle |
| Clip Start | Start position for clip | Only if not full-length |
| Clip Length (seconds) | Duration of clip | Only if not full-length |
Full Track vs Clips
Full-Length Track:
- Uploads the complete audio file
- Best for promotional tracks or when you want full exposure
- Enable with “Upload full-length track” toggle
Clip:
- Uploads a portion of the track
- Great for teasers and previews
- Configure start position and length
Clip Settings
When posting clips:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Clip Start | Where in the track to begin (e.g., 00:30) |
| Clip Length | Duration in seconds (leave blank for auto) |
Tip: Start clips after the intro (around 0:30-1:00) to capture the most engaging part of your track.
Buy Links
Buy links appear on your SoundCloud track and drive fans to purchase:
- Custom URL: Enter any URL (store page, website, etc.)
- Auto-generated: Leave blank to use your LabelGrid release shortUrl
- Buy Link Text: Your call-to-action (e.g., “Get it on Spotify”, “Buy Now”)
Managing the Post Queue
Queue List View
Click Distribution in the main menu, then click the Soundcloud tab to see all your posts.
The queue displays:
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| Title | Track title |
| Account | Destination SoundCloud account |
| Visibility | Public or private setting |
| Clip Settings | Full track or clip configuration |
| Deliver at | Scheduled delivery time |
| Status | Current queue status |
| Actions | Available actions (retry, cancel, archive) |
Queue Statuses
| Status | Meaning | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| pending | Waiting to post | Respects posting rules |
| processing | Currently uploading | In progress |
| complete | Successfully posted | Check SoundCloud |
| failed | Post failed | Check error message |
| cancelled | Cancelled by user | No action needed |
Queue Actions
Cancel: Stop a pending post
- Find the item in the queue
- Click the Cancel button
Retry: Re-attempt a failed post
- Find the failed item
- Click Retry
Archive: Remove completed items
- Find the completed item
- Click Archive
Label Default Settings
Your label can set default clip settings that apply to all SoundCloud posts:
- Default Clip Start - Starting position for clips
- Default Clip Length - Default duration
These defaults are configured in your label settings and can be overridden per post.
Best Practices
Content Strategy
- Teasers: Post 30-60 second clips before release date
- Promotional: Post full tracks for promotional singles
- Exclusive: Post unique mixes or versions only on SoundCloud
Posting Schedule
- Schedule posts during peak listener activity
- Use posting rules to maintain steady presence
- Space out releases to maximize engagement
Buy Links
- Always include a buy link to drive conversions
- Use clear call-to-action text
- Track link performance if using custom URLs
Troubleshooting
Post Failed - Authentication Error
Cause: SoundCloud token expired or revoked
Solution:
- Click Distribution in the main menu, then click the Soundcloud tab
- Click Manage Accounts and re-authorize the account
- Retry the post
Post Failed - Rate Limited
Cause: Too many posts in a short period
Solution:
- Wait for the rate limit to reset
- Adjust your posting rules to be more conservative
- Retry after some time
Post Not Appearing
Cause: May be posted as private or still processing
Solution:
- Check queue status is
complete - Check if “Make this post public” was enabled
- Log into SoundCloud directly to verify
Clip Not Playing Correctly
Cause: Clip settings may be incorrect
Solution:
- Verify clip start time is within track duration
- Ensure clip length doesn’t exceed remaining track time
- Try different clip settings
Limitations
- Posts individual tracks (not complete albums)
- SoundCloud Pro features require SoundCloud Pro account
- Posting rules help but don’t guarantee avoiding all rate limits
- Large files may take longer to process
Related Guides
- Direct Upload Services Overview - Overview of all direct upload platforms
- Bandcamp Integration - Upload to Bandcamp
- YouTube Integration - Create YouTube track videos
- Creating a Release - Prepare your release for distribution
Need Help?
If you have questions about SoundCloud posting, contact our support team.