Clarification Needed on iCloud Music Library Uploads vs. Apple Digital Masters

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Level 1

4 points

Clarification Needed on iCloud Music Library Uploads vs. Apple Digital Masters

I need help understanding the nature of the files in my iCloud Music Library. I've uploaded a CD that I personally ripped to my iCloud, but when I view the album on my iPhone within Apple Music and it shows as "Apple Digital Master." I am looking to clarify if the files I'm streaming are the ones I uploaded or if they have been replaced by Apple's high-quality digital masters. Can someone explain how Apple Music handles personal uploads versus their own masters and how to identify which version I am listening to?

Posted on Nov 7, 2023 4:38 PM

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Answer 1

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Steve Martin7

Level 2

214 points

Nov 9, 2023 2:18 PM in response to cheststripe

Just the way it is. The matching algorithm isn’t perfect. Some get matched some get uploaded on the same album almost all the time (especially in older releases). Glad I was able to figure out what caused the labeling. We see the same thing with Dolby Atmos releases that don’t get the tag unless every track is Dolby Atmos and there are often bonus tracks etc. that are not so the whole album loses the badge.

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Answer 2

Nov 9, 2023 5:44 AM in response to cheststripe

If it says "matched" you are getting the Apple Music version, not your upload when you play it on your iPhone. Not all music in Apple Music is an "Apple digital master" so not all albums will show that.

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Answer 3

cheststripe Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 9, 2023 6:13 AM in response to Steve Martin7

But the albums that don’t show up as “Apple digital master” on the music app do actually have the digital master sticker on iTunes.

the great escape by Blur for example is an Apple digital master in the store. It’s also matched in my library but doesn’t say digital master in the app on my phone

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Answer 4

picas

Level 7

20,787 points

Nov 7, 2023 6:26 PM in response to cheststripe

On your Mac select songs in the sidebar, and make sure View Options has cloud status selected to check if it's been matched or uploaded.

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Answer 5

cheststripe Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 8, 2023 3:30 AM in response to picas

It says "matched", but so do the 4 other CDs I've ripped and the music app doesn't say "Apple digital master" for those.

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Answer 6

cheststripe Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 9, 2023 5:36 AM in response to picas

Hi, do you know anything about this? Ty

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Answer 7

Nov 9, 2023 6:14 AM in response to cheststripe

On the albums that don't show "Apple Digital Master" are ALL the tracks matched? If even one is uploaded that could be what is causing it to not show the tag.

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Answer 8

cheststripe Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 9, 2023 6:29 AM in response to Steve Martin7

Yes, I don’t have any tracks that say “uploaded”.

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Answer 9

cheststripe Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 9, 2023 2:14 PM in response to Steve Martin7

My bad- they in fact do appear as “uploaded” on certain tracks so you have explained this. But my next questions is, is this expected behaviour? Why hasn’t it matched across the entire album?

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Clarification Needed on iCloud Music Library Uploads vs. Apple Digital Masters

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