The !earshot Digital Distribution System or !eDDS for short is an online database designed to get Canadian content to campus and community radio stations. Once music has been uploaded, and paid for the music becomes available for campus and community radio stations to search, review, and download music to be broadcast within their local communities across Canada.
Who is the National Campus and Community Radio Association?
The National Campus and Community Radio Association/l’Association nationale des radios étudiantes et communautaires (NCRA/ANREC) is a not-for-profit national association working to recognize, support, and encourage volunteer-based, non-profit, public-access campus and community based broadcasters in Canada. Currently the NCRA/ANREC represents over 100 not-for-profit campus and community radio stations from across Canada. More information about the NCRA/ANREC can be found at ncra.ca.
How much will it cost to use the !earshot Digital Distribution System?
The fees associated with uploading a song to the !eDDS will be $7 per song for a single/EP (1 to 7 songs), and a flat $50 for albums/compilations (8 to 20 songs). Once paid the songs are moved into the database and become available for all campus and community radio stations within the system.
How can I sign up to the !earshot Digital Distribution System?
To create an account for the !eDDS you will need to go to https://secure.earshot-distro.ca/sign_in. From there you will need to click on “Sign Up MA” in the top right hand corner of the site. On the sign up page you will need to fillout the information for your organization.
I'm an independent artist that is interested in using the !eDDS, how do I sign up?
At this moment in time the !eDDS is not available for Canadian independent artists. An independent artists account type is currently being developed and is planned to be released with Phase 3 of development.
I am, or have an artist that lives outside of Canada. Can I upload my/their music?
The !eDDS is currently focused on Canadian content. We are currently looking to expand the !eDDS to include artists from other countries. However any song that meets the MAPL standard can be uploaded at this moment in time.
What is the MAPL standard?
The MAPL standard is definition created by the CRTC that defines what music is considered to be Canadian for use by Canadian radio stations. More information about the MAPL system and its standards can be found at https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/info_sht/r1.htm.
Where can I learn how to use the !eDDS?
To find out how to use the !eDDS you can use any of the links below
- Music industry user guide
- Music industry video guide (coming soon)
- Independent artist user guide (coming soon)
- Independent artist video guide (coming soon)
What campus and community radio stations that have access to the !eDDS?
A list of radio stations can be found at https://earshot-distro.ca/?page_id=220. This list is updated when a new campus and community radio stations setups an account within the !eDDS
What if I have a question about the !eDDS that is has not been covered?
For any questions, inquiries, or helped needed with relation to the !eDDS at this moment in time should be directed towards edds@ncra.ca.