Can Composer export TTML files for Apple Music and Spotify?

Updated

Yes. Composer (composer.betterlyrics.org) exports standard TTML files, and the tool is built specifically for making synced lyrics for Apple Music, Spotify, and other streaming platforms. Export is word-level precise, so the timing data in the file reflects the word-by-word sync you set in the editor. The whole workflow runs in a browser, so there is nothing to install.

One condition to keep in mind: Composer produces the TTML file, but it does not upload or publish lyrics to Apple Music or Spotify for you. You still need to deliver the file through whatever channel the platform or your distributor requires.

What the export actually contains

Composer's editor works at two levels of granularity, and both carry into the exported file:

  • Line-level sync — each lyric line gets a start and end time.
  • Word-level sync — individual words get their own timing, which is what "word-level precision" refers to.
  • Syllable splitting — words can be broken into syllables for karaoke-style highlighting.

If you only tap out line timings, the export reflects that. If you tap word by word, the file carries the finer timing. The output is standard TTML, not a proprietary format, which is why it is described as ready for Apple Music and Spotify.

How to produce an export

  1. Import an audio file. Composer accepts an audio file as the timing reference.
  2. Sync the lyrics. Tap along to assign timing to words or lines. The visual timeline with a waveform lets you nudge timings precisely afterward.
  3. Handle multi-voice parts if needed. Composer supports multiple agents for duets, backing vocals, and group parts, so each part can be timed separately.
  4. Check the preview. A real-time animated lyrics preview shows how the sync will look before you commit.
  5. Export. The result is a standard TTML file.

Expected result: a TTML file whose timing matches what you set in the editor, at whatever granularity you used.

Common snags

  • JavaScript required. Composer will not load without JavaScript enabled in your browser — the page states this directly.
  • Export is not publishing. Getting a valid TTML file is the end of Composer's job. Whether Apple Music or Spotify accepts it depends on your submission route, not on the file format.
  • Granularity is a choice, not a default. If you want karaoke-style word highlighting, you have to sync at word or syllable level; line-level timing alone will not produce it.

Quick check before you rely on it

If your goal is simply "can this tool give me a TTML file I can hand to a platform," the answer is yes, and the word-level precision is the main reason to use it over a plain text timing sheet. If your goal is "will my lyrics appear on Apple Music after I click export," that step is outside Composer and depends on your distribution or submission process.