How to Format Remix, Live, Acoustic and Other Version Titles
Updated 2026-10-21 · 3 sources
Short answer
Put version information in parentheses after the title, not after a dash: "Summer Rain (Acoustic Version)". If there's more than one reference, the first goes in parentheses and the rest in brackets: "Love Letter (Live Version) [Radio Edit]". Credit remixers in the Remixer role. Never put version text on the standard original version.
The rules
- Parentheses, then brackets: the first explanatory reference goes in parentheses and any further ones in brackets. Delivering through a version field lets Apple apply these automatically [1] [2].
- Live: TuneCore says live tracks must end with "(Live)" or iTunes will flag them [2].
- Remixes: the original artist stays Primary and the remixer gets the Remixer role. Apple applies this to sped-up, slowed and lo-fi versions too, e.g. "ICU (Sped Up Version)" [1].
- Remasters: include the year, e.g. "(2017 Remastered Version)", and deliver with the original release date [1].
- Re-recordings: include "Rerecorded" in the title [1].
- Spell it out: version terms use standard spellings, not abbreviations [1].
- No version text on the original: "Original Mix" and "Album Version" aren't allowed on the standard version [1].
ISRCs for versions
A remix, edit, live or acoustic version is a different recording, so it needs its own ISRC [3]. See the ISRC guide.
Examples
| Instead of | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Rain - Acoustic Version | Summer Rain (Acoustic Version) | Parentheses, not a dash. |
| Paper Hearts (Remix) (Radio Edit) | Paper Hearts (Remix) [Radio Edit] | Second reference in brackets. |
| Midnight Drive (Original Mix) | Midnight Drive | No version text on the original. |
| Tokyo (lofi) | Tokyo (Lo-Fi Version) | Standard spelling and wording (Apple example). |
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FAQ
Where does the featured artist go when there's also a remix?
Featured credit first in parentheses, then the version in brackets. Apple's example is "MMXX – VIII (feat. Lunice) [Kornél Kovács Remix]".
Is "Radio Edit" a new ISRC?
Yes. An edit is a different recording from the full-length version.
Should a sped-up version be a separate release?
That's your choice, but credit the original artist as Primary and give it its own ISRC. Don't upload near-duplicates, which spam rules target.
Related guides
Sources
- Apple Music Style Guide 2.4 (Apple)
- TuneCore Help: How should I format my album title, track title, and artist name?
- International ISRC Registration Authority: When Not To Assign
Platform rules change. Each rule above is attributed to the company or standard that published it, as checked on 2026-10-21. This guide is not legal advice.