Keeping your DISCO clean is not just about tidiness. It helps your team search faster, avoid confusion, and keep one clear version of each track ready to share.

This article explains how to handle day-to-day cleanup when the same track appears more than once, when you need to attach a new file format, when audio needs to be updated without losing the work already done around that track, and when it makes more sense to keep alternate versions grouped together.

Before you upload

Before uploading new files, search your DISCO for the track, album, or release first. This is especially important for teams where multiple people upload regularly, since duplicates can build up fast.

It is often best to have one person manage the catalog. They upload files, add metadata and tags, place tracks into the right Channels, and send regular updates so the team knows what is new.

What this article covers

Use this article when:

• the same track has been uploaded more than once
• you want to combine duplicate track records
• you want to add a WAV or AIFF to an existing track
• you need to replace audio without rebuilding the track from scratch
• you want to keep alternate versions grouped under one main track
• you want to preserve metadata, Playlists, and Channels while cleaning things up

Start with the right question

Before making changes, work out which situation you are in.

Merge tracks when...

Use Merge when the same song or version exists as separate track records in DISCO and you want to combine them into one.

This is usually the right option when:

• an MP3 and a WAV of the same audio were uploaded separately and became duplicate tracks
• the same file was uploaded more than once
• multiple versions of the same track record are creating clutter in search results, Playlists, or Channels

Add a format when...

Use Manage Files and Formats to add a WAV or AIFF behind an existing track when the track record is already correct and you just want more file formats attached to it.

This is usually the right option when:

• your MP3 already has the right metadata and placement
• you later receive a high-resolution version of the same audio
• you want one track to carry multiple file formats

Replace audio when...

Use Replace when the track record is correct, but the actual audio file needs to be updated.

This is usually the right option when:

• you have received a corrected master
• you need to swap in a new MP3
• the file attached to the track is outdated, but you want to keep the same metadata and organization

Use nesting when...

Use Nesting when the files are not accidental duplicates, but intentional alternate versions you want to keep grouped together under one main track.

This is usually the right option when:

• you want to keep a clean version and an explicit version together
• you have an instrumental, a cappella, cutdown, remix, edit, or radio version
• you want to keep an older mix, demo, or worktape for reference
• you want related versions to stay organized under one main track instead of appearing as separate loose tracks

Why this matters

Duplicate tracks create clutter and make it harder to know which version to share. They can also split your metadata and create confusion across Playlists and Channels.

Cleaning things up properly helps you keep one clear track record while preserving the work already done around it.

How merging works in DISCO

The Merge tool lets you select multiple duplicate tracks, choose the one you want to keep, and merge the others into it.

When you merge duplicate tracks:

• the track you keep retains its metadata
• that track takes over the Playlist and Channel placements of the duplicate tracks
• the duplicate track records are removed through the merge

This is useful when the same piece of audio has ended up in DISCO more than once and you want one clean version of the track record moving forward.

Merged child tracks are effectively deleted. If they need to be restored later, DISCO Support can help, but restored files will not automatically return to their previous Playlist placements.

How to merge duplicate tracks

A simple way to begin is to gather the duplicate tracks together so you can compare them easily. You might do this by searching for the track title, or by dragging the likely duplicates into the Playlist Creator.

To merge duplicate tracks:

1. Select the duplicate tracks by holding Shift or Command and clicking each one.
2. Open the multi-select actions menu.
3. Click the Merge icon.

1. Switch between the selected tracks to compare the metadata on each one.
2. Choose the track you want to keep.
3. Click Merge tracks.

Before confirming the merge, take a moment to compare the metadata carefully. In most cases, the safest track to keep is the one with the most complete metadata and the most useful existing placement in your DISCO.

Common merge scenarios

You uploaded an MP3 first, then later received a WAV of the same track

This is one of the most common situations.

An MP3 may have been uploaded first, complete with metadata. Later, a WAV of the same audio is uploaded separately, creating another track record. In this case, you will usually want to merge the duplicates and keep the track that already contains the strongest metadata.

In many cases, that means keeping the original MP3 track record and merging the WAV version into it.

You have separate MP3, WAV, or AIFF versions of the same audio

If separate file formats of the same song have been uploaded as separate track records, check which one already carries the best metadata and which one is already being used in Playlists or Channels.

Then merge the others into that track.

You have several duplicates and are not sure which one to keep

Start by comparing metadata, not just file format.

The safest option is usually to keep the track with:

• the most complete metadata
• the clearest title, artist, and release information
• the most useful existing placement in your DISCO

If one track has already been shared or organized properly, it often makes sense to keep that one and merge the others into it.

How to add or replace audio

Manage Files and Formats is different from Merge.

• Merge combines separate duplicate track records into one
• Manage Files and Formats updates the files attached to one existing track

Use this area when the track record itself is already correct, but the attached files need to be updated.

To access it:

1. Open the track menu
2. Select Manage Files and Formats
3. Choose whether to Add Format or Replace

Replacing audio updates the file itself, but does not remove the metadata already attached to the track.

Common audio update scenarios

Add a high-resolution file to an existing MP3

If your MP3 track is already correct and you simply want to attach a WAV or AIFF behind it, use Add Format.

This keeps one clean track record while giving you access to multiple formats.

This is often the best option when:

• the MP3 already has complete metadata
• the track is already placed in Playlists or Channels
• the high-resolution file is the same version of the same recording

Replace an existing MP3

Use Replace when the MP3 itself needs to be updated.

For example, you might have received:

• a corrected file
• a new master
• a revised version that should take the place of the existing audio

This allows you to update the file without deleting the track and rebuilding its metadata or placements from scratch.

Upload a WAV and choose whether to create a new MP3

When you upload a high-resolution file, DISCO can create a new MP3 from it. In some situations, this is the right move. In others, it is better to keep the existing MP3.

If the new WAV contains updated audio, creating a new MP3 may make sense.

But if your existing MP3 was deliberately prepared for streaming or pitching, it may be better to keep that original MP3 and simply add the WAV as another format.

When to use nesting instead

Not every extra file should be merged, replaced, or deleted.

If a track has alternate versions you want to keep, such as an instrumental, clean version, cutdown, remix, demo, worktape, edit, or older mix, it may make more sense to use Nesting instead.

Nesting lets you group related versions under one main track, so they stay organized without being treated as duplicates. This is useful when the files are intentionally different and may still be valuable for pitching, sharing, or internal reference.

You might use nesting when you want to keep:

• an instrumental under the main vocal version
• a clean and explicit version together
• a radio edit or cutdown
• an alternate mix, demo, or worktape
• stems connected to the main track

In general:

• use Merge for accidental duplicates
• use Add Format for different file formats of the same track
• use Replace when one file should take the place of another
• use Nesting when you want to keep alternate versions grouped under one main track

When not to replace the MP3

Some teams master their MP3s specifically for better streaming playback.

In that case, a DISCO-generated MP3 made from a WAV may not sound as good as the original mastered MP3. If the audio version is the same, it is often better to keep the original MP3 and simply add the WAV as another format instead of replacing the MP3.

Before generating a new MP3 from a high-resolution file, make sure you are confident that:

• it is the version you want people to hear
• you do not need to preserve a specially prepared MP3
• the change is worth making permanent

Once a new MP3 is created from the uploaded high-resolution file, that change cannot be undone.

Best practices before cleaning things up

A few quick checks can save a lot of trouble:

• make sure the files are actually the same version before merging
• compare metadata before deciding which track to keep
• keep the strongest existing track record, not just the highest-resolution file
• be cautious about regenerating MP3s from WAV or AIFF files
• think about which version is already being shared or used by your team
• if a version still has value, consider nesting it instead of deleting or replacing it

Key takeaway

When duplicate tracks or updated audio files appear in your DISCO, you usually do not need to start over.

Use:

• Merge to combine duplicate track records
• Add Format to attach another file type to the correct track
• Replace when the track is correct but the audio file itself needs to change
• Nesting when you want to keep alternate versions grouped under one main track

The goal is not just to remove clutter. It is to keep one strong track record in place, while preserving the metadata, organization, and sharing workflows already built around it.