If you’re sending music to DJs or radio stations, the quality of the file you deliver matters more than many artists realize. One of the most common mistakes artists make is exporting their music at 128kbps. That might be fine for quick sharing, but it is not acceptable for broadcast.
Many DJs will refuse to play a 128kbps file outright. Others might play it — but it will sound noticeably worse on the air. Either way, low bitrate files make your music look unprofessional.
If you want your track to sound right when it hits the airwaves, you should always send a 320kbps MP3 for radio.
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What Bitrate Actually Means
Bitrate refers to how much audio data is stored in each second of a digital audio file. The higher the bitrate, the more audio information is preserved.
Think of bitrate like image resolution. A low-resolution image looks blurry and compressed. Audio works the same way.
- 128kbps – low quality, heavy compression
- 192kbps – moderate quality
- 256kbps – good quality
- 320kbps – highest MP3 quality
At 128kbps, a large amount of the original sound information from your mix is removed. High frequencies, stereo detail, and dynamic depth are reduced. The result is a track that can sound flat, harsh, or thin when played through professional speakers or broadcast systems.
Radio stations and DJs use high-quality sound systems. That means compression artifacts become very obvious. This is exactly why DJs prefer receiving a 320kbps MP3 for radio.
Start With a WAV Master
Before exporting an MP3, you should always begin with your final WAV master.
A WAV file is an uncompressed audio format that contains the full quality of your mix and master without any data loss.
Your typical workflow should look like this:
- Mix your song
- Master the final version
- Export the final master as a WAV file
- Convert that WAV into a 320kbps MP3 for radio
Every time audio is converted into a compressed format like MP3, some information is lost. If you convert a low-quality file again, the sound quality gets even worse.
For example, if you export a 128kbps MP3 and later try to convert that file into a 320kbps MP3 for radio, you are not restoring quality. You’re simply creating a larger file from already degraded audio.
Whenever possible, always start from the WAV master.
What If You Only Have an MP3?
This situation happens more often than artists expect.
If you no longer have the WAV master, start with the highest quality file you have available. If that is a 256kbps or 320kbps file, use that as your source.
If the only file you have is 128kbps, you can still convert it to a 320kbps MP3 for radio so DJs can load it into their libraries more easily. Just understand that the sound quality will not improve.
If possible, try to recover the original WAV master from your producer, engineer, or studio archive.
How to Export a 320kbps MP3 Using Apple Music
One of the easiest ways to create a 320kbps MP3 for radio is using Apple Music (formerly iTunes), which many artists already have installed.
Step 1: Open Apple Music
Launch the Apple Music application on your computer.
Step 2: Open Settings or Preferences
From the menu bar, open Settings (or Preferences).
Step 3: Go to Import Settings
Navigate to the Files section and click Import Settings.
Step 4: Choose MP3 Encoder
- MP3 Encoder
Step 5: Set the Quality to 320kbps
- Higher Quality (320 kbps)
Step 6: Convert the File
Import your WAV master into Apple Music. Right-click the track and select Create MP3 Version.
Apple Music will generate a new MP3 file at 320kbps. That file is the one you should send to DJs, radio programmers, and promo pools.
Best Practices When Sending Music to DJs
- Always send a 320kbps MP3 for radio
- Label files clearly (Artist – Song Title)
- Include clean or radio edits when possible
- Avoid sending low-quality streaming links
Small details like bitrate signal that you take your music and your release seriously.
If you’re ready to take action on this kind of strategy, check out our campaigns and services that address just this issue — Radio Promotion
360 Promo is a full-service music marketing, promotion, distribution and admin company. Learn more about us and what we do at 360 Promo, follow us on Instagram and contact us to tailor a plan that works for you.