The Upload snippets tool walks through a release's tracklist one track at a time: you record a snippet from your turntable or choose a file, listen to it, then move on to the next track. Snippets are converted to MP3 and uploaded automatically.
What you need
A release whose tracklist has tracks with a position (A1, A2, B1…).
A line input connected to your computer (a sound card or USB audio interface plugged into your turntable or mixer), or audio files.
A browser allowed to access your audio inputs. It asks the first time you open the tool.
Note: Built-in microphones (computer, webcam, headset, Bluetooth) are not offered as a source: they do not give a snippet of good enough quality.
Opening the tool
1. Open the item page.
2. In the Tracklist section, click Record snippets.
The tool opens on the first track that has no snippet yet. The counter at the top right shows where you are (for example 3 / 8). The progress bar below it shows in green the tracks that already have a snippet.
Recording a snippet
1. Choose your input under Audio source. Y our choice is remembered for next time.
2. Start playing the track on your turntable. The halo around the record button pulses with the signal: if it stays still and the message No signal, start playing your source shows, nothing is reaching the computer.
3. Click the record button. The take stops by itself at 30 seconds; you can stop it earlier with Stop.
4. Listen to the take with the play button. If you are not happy with it, click Start over.
5. Click Next: the snippet is uploaded and the tool moves to the next track. On the last track the button reads Finish and closes the tool.
A take that is almost silent is rejected automatically. Check that your source is playing and its volume is up, then try again.
Using a file instead
Click Choose a file and select an audio file. Only the first 30 seconds are kept and the file is converted to MP3. Y ou can listen to it before sending it, just like a recording.
Skipping, replacing, leaving
Skip a track: click Next or Prev without recording, nothing is sent.
Replace a snippet: if the track already has a snippet, the tool tells you and the new one replaces it.
Leave: the cross closes the tool without sending the current take. Snippets already uploaded are kept.
Note: Uploaded snippets are available to all shops on Common Ground. They cannot be deleted manually, only replaced.
Keyboard shortcuts
Space : Start or stop recording; play / pause once the take is done
→ : Upload the take and go to the next track
← : Upload the take and go back to the previous track
Enter : Upload the take and close
Troubleshooting
Audio access blocked: audio access is refused. Allow it for the site in your browser, and for the browser in your system settings, then reopen the tool. Uploading a file still works.
No line input found: no line input is detected. Plug in your audio interface, it appears in the list without reloading the page.
This audio could not be read: the file you chose is not an audio format your browser can read. Try MP3 or WAV .