How to Collaborate Remotely With a Producer or Feature

Your producer lives in another city, your feature in another country. No problem, as long as your files are right and the agreements are clear. Here's how to collaborate remotely without things going wrong.

1. Agree up front who does what

Put it in one message: who makes the beat, who does which verse, who mixes and when everything needs to be done. Sounds formal, but it stops anyone from waiting weeks for a file that never comes.

2. Share the basics of the beat

Send the BPM and the key along. Don't know them? Check them with the free Beat Lab. With that info, everyone can set up a project at the right tempo in their own DAW.

3. Work from the same files

• Send the beat as a WAV, not an MP3. If someone wants an MP3 to write to, make one with the audio converter.
• Make every file start at the same point, even if a verse only comes in later.
• Agree on one sample rate and stick to it.

4. Deliver your vocals dry

Send your recording without effects, plus a short reference mix with your effects on. That way the other person hears what you're going for, while the mixer still has full control.

5. Use clear file names

Name files by song, artist and part. For example: Nightride_Feature_Verse2_Lead.wav. Add a version number when you resend something. That way everyone knows which file is the latest.

6. One shared folder

Put everything in one shared cloud folder, with subfolders for the beat, vocals and mixes. Files sent through chat get lost faster than you'd think.

7. Put the split in writing

Agree on how you split the rights to the song: who wrote what, and for what percentage. Put it on paper before you release. You'll need that split when you register the song with your collecting society too.

Need a beat or a mix?

Looking for a beat made especially for your track? Check out a custom made beat. And if you want someone to mix the whole thing, there's mixing and mastering.

FAQ

What file format do I send to my feature?

A WAV of the beat, with the BPM and key. An MP3 is only handy for writing.

Should I send my vocals with or without effects?

Both: the dry recording for the mix and a reference with effects, so the other person hears what you mean.

Why should all files start at the same point?

Then you can drop them on bar 1 in any DAW and they line up right away, without nudging.