Catalog Audio Format (Beta)

Choose one sample rate and bit depth for your band — new uploads are converted automatically, and you can re-encode your whole catalog in one pass. Originals untouched.

Stems arrive in whatever format they were bounced in — a mix of 44.1 and 48 kHz, 16- and 24-bit, sometimes all in the same song. Catalog audio format lets you answer one question — what sample rate and bit depth do you want your stems in? — and Pliris takes it from there: new uploads are converted to match automatically, and everything already in your catalog can be re-encoded in a single pass.

This feature is in beta: it works end to end, but details — including pricing — may change while it's being refined.

Turn it on

  1. Go to Settings → Beta features.
  2. Toggle on Catalog audio format.

Beta features are enabled per band and require a paid Pliris plan or an active Guest Pass.

Choose your format

Once the toggle is on, the Catalog audio format panel appears on the same page:

  1. Pick a Sample rate — 44,100 Hz, 48,000 Hz, 88,200 Hz, or 96,000 Hz.
  2. Pick a Bit depth — 16-bit, 24-bit, or 32-bit.
  3. Click Save format.

From that moment, every new stem you upload is re-encoded to your saved format automatically — free, in the background, usually within a minute of the upload finishing. There's nothing to run and nothing to remember. (Automatic conversion only happens while the beta toggle is on.)

Re-encode what's already there

Saving a format doesn't touch existing stems by itself. To bring your whole catalog in line, click Re-encode existing catalog (or Save & re-encode existing catalog if you've just changed the pickers — it's one gesture).

Before you commit to anything, the line under the pickers tells you exactly what will happen:

  • How many stems actually need re-encoding and the credit cost. Stems that already match your chosen format are skipped and never charged — so re-running the same format costs nothing, and a mostly-conforming catalog only pays for the stragglers.
  • Stems that haven't finished uploading to Pliris cloud storage can't be re-encoded yet; they're also skipped automatically and reported.

The job runs on Pliris servers — you'll see a progress bar as stems complete, and a count of any that failed. You can leave the page; the work continues either way.

Your originals are never touched

Re-encoding never overwrites or deletes anything. Each stem gets an additional, derived copy stored alongside the original. What changes is what gets served:

  • Stem downloads — both per-stem downloads and the all-stems zip — deliver the newest re-encoded copy when one exists.
  • Ableton exports — local and server builds alike — bundle the newest re-encoded copies, so an exported project comes out at your chosen rate and depth.
  • Playback in the player is unchanged — it keeps streaming the same audio it always has.

Change your format later and the newest copy wins from then on.

What it costs

  • Automatic conversion of new uploads is free — it's treated as part of the upload.
  • Catalog runs cost credits, scaled to the number of stems that actually need work (already-matching stems are excluded before pricing). The exact cost is shown in the panel before you click, and that's precisely what's charged when the job starts — if your account doesn't have enough credits, nothing runs and nothing is charged. Pricing is provisional while the feature is in beta.

For how credits work generally, see Plans, Credits, and Billing and Analysis Credits Explained.

Frequently asked questions

Does re-encoding replace or delete my original stem files?

No. Catalog re-encoding never overwrites or deletes anything — each stem gets an additional, derived copy stored alongside the original, and the newest re-encoded copy is what gets served for downloads and Ableton exports.

Does converting new uploads to my catalog format cost credits?

No. While the Catalog audio format beta toggle is on, every new stem you upload is re-encoded to your saved format automatically and for free, usually within a minute of the upload finishing. Only re-encoding the existing catalog costs credits.

What happens if I run a catalog re-encode with the same format twice?

Stems that already match your chosen format are skipped and never charged, so re-running the same format costs nothing — a catalog run only pays for the stems that actually need work.

What sample rates and bit depths can I choose for my catalog?

Pliris lets you pick a sample rate of 44,100 Hz, 48,000 Hz, 88,200 Hz, or 96,000 Hz, and a bit depth of 16-bit, 24-bit, or 32-bit.

Does re-encoding change how my songs sound in the player?

No. Playback in the Pliris player is unchanged and keeps streaming the same audio it always has — the re-encoded copies affect stem downloads and Ableton exports.

Where to go next

Stuck at any point, click the support bubble in the bottom-right corner of any page, or email support@fromstudiotostage.com. You'll hear back within 24 hours.