In this article

You'll learn how to:

• identify which tool to use for each situation
• merge duplicate track records
• add a file format to an existing track
• replace audio without rebuilding the track from scratch
• use nesting to keep alternate versions grouped together
• avoid common mistakes when cleaning up your catalog

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 often helps to have one person manage the catalog - uploading files, adding metadata and tags, placing tracks into the right Channels, and letting the team know what is new.

Choose the right tool for the situation

Merge when the same song or version exists as separate track records and you want to combine them into one. Common situations include an MP3 and a WAV of the same audio uploaded separately, the same file uploaded more than once, or duplicate records creating clutter in search results, Playlists, or Channels.

Add Format when the track record is already correct and you simply want to attach another file format - for example adding a WAV or AIFF behind an existing MP3.

Replace when the track record is correct but the actual audio file needs to be updated - for example a corrected master or revised version that should take the place of the existing audio.

Nesting when the files are not accidental duplicates but intentional alternate versions you want to keep grouped together - clean vs explicit versions, instrumentals, a cappellas, cutdowns, remixes, edits, radio versions, demos, or worktapes.

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 keeps one clear track record in place while preserving the work already done around it.

How to merge duplicate tracks

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:

• 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

Merged 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.

To merge duplicate tracks, select them by holding Shift or Command and clicking each one, open the multi-select actions menu, click the Merge icon:

Switch between the selected tracks to compare metadata, choose the track you want to keep, and click Merge tracks:

Before confirming, 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

If you uploaded an MP3 first and later received a WAV of the same track, merge the duplicates and keep the track that already contains the strongest metadata - in many cases the original MP3 track record.

If you have several duplicates and are not sure which to keep, the safest option is usually the track with the most complete metadata, the clearest title and artist information, and the most useful existing placement.

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.

To access it, open the track menu and select Manage Files and Formats, then choose Add Format or Replace.

Use Add Format if your track record is already correct and you simply want to attach another file type. Use Replace when the audio itself needs to be updated - a corrected file, new master, or revised version that should take the place of the existing audio.

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. Before generating a new MP3 from a high-resolution file, make sure it is the version you want people to hear, you do not need to preserve a specially prepared MP3, and the change is worth making permanently. Once a new MP3 is created from an uploaded high-resolution file, that change cannot be undone.

When to use nesting instead

Not every extra file should be merged, replaced, or deleted. If a track has alternate versions worth keeping, nesting is usually the better option. Nesting lets you group related versions under one main track so they stay organized without being treated as duplicates - instrumentals, clean and explicit versions, radio edits, alternate mixes, demos, worktapes, and stems are all good candidates.

Best practices before cleaning things up

• confirm 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

Wrap up

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 needs to change, and Nesting when you want to keep alternate versions grouped under one main track. The goal is to keep one strong track record in place while preserving the metadata, organization, and sharing workflows already built around it.