The internet has made it easier for people to connect across the globe, removing many of the constraints that once came along with collaborating across time zones. In the music industry specifically, this now means that independent artists and music producers alike can connect across the globe using music collaboration software and even remote music production tools.
In fact, if a career in music production and music production collaboration is your calling, then one aspect of the industry you’ll need to prepare for is that of using online collaboration tools to work not only with other producers, but other artists as well.
So, how has remote music production evolved over the years and what kinds of tools are available to make producers’ work easier today? Let’s dive in.
The Rise of Remote Music Production
While it may be hard for upcoming generations of music producers to imagine a time when music making wasn’t possible over the web, the reality was that the virtual music collaboration tools we have access to today weren’t even a thought decades ago. With this in mind, it can be helpful to understand how remote music production came to be and the journey the field took to arrive where it is now.
Transition to Online Collaboration
There have been two notable time periods when music collaboration software saw a major shift, beginning with the introduction of cloud storage for audio files and the release of the Audacity and GarageBand platforms in the early 2000s. Before cloud storage options became widespread, storing and sharing large audio files online was logistically challenging. Meanwhile, the Audacity and GarageBand platforms were designed with user-friendliness in mind, even for non-professionals who wanted to play around with music production.
Throughout the early 2000s, more digital production tools continued to be developed and released, sparking more collaborative music making online. By 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many artists and producers were forced to make the switch to 100% remote recording and production. This need facilitated the rise of new online music collaboration tools that artists and producers continue to use today, such as:
- Soundtrap
- BandLab
- Trackd
- SoundStorming
Benefits of Remote Collaboration
There are so many benefits to remote music collaboration, including the ability for artists, producers and other professionals to work effectively across state lines, country lines and even time zones. In a number of ways, digital collaboration platforms have made it possible for artists and producers to work together in ways that might simply not have been feasible otherwise. In fact, several tools used for music production software online don’t even require musicians or producers to leave their homes.
In this sense, music production software online can also offer a more budget-friendly and cost-effective way to make music. Instead of coordinating a specific time and place to meet and possibly incurring travel costs, artists and producers can now send, share, and work on audio files remotely at their convenience.
Essential Online Tools for Music Producers
These days, music producers have access to a number of online tools that make it possible for them to collaborate with other producers, artists, musicians and professionals throughout the industry. This includes both digital audio workstations and cloud-based music production platforms for online mixing and mastering.
Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) With Collaboration Features
Specifically, digital audio workstations refer to production platforms that enable professionals to record, mix, edit and master audio files in real-time. Using a DAW, artists, producers and other professionals, such as audio and sound engineers, can add their own creative touches to music files to go from a very rough cut to a polished track.
DAWs have come a long way over the years, with today’s platforms available not just on desktop or laptop computers, but mobile devices for the ability to work on-the-go. Many DAW platforms now have remote collaboration features like version control and cloud-based file sharing, making remote work more convenient and seamless.
Some common examples of DAWs used by online collaborators today include:
- GarageBand
- Ableton Live
- Bitwig Studio
- Logic Pro
Cloud-Based Music Production Platforms
Likewise, cloud-based music platforms specifically designed for collaborative music making have also increased in popularity over the past several years. These platforms often offer libraries of audio samples, presets and other works available for remixing. In addition, cloud-based music production tools may include certain features to make remote collaboration easier, such as:
- Sound tagging
- Robust search features and filters
- Centralized libraries
- Backup and file-sharing services
Communication Tools That Enhance Collaboration
In addition to software and tools designed specifically with remote music production in mind, music producers and artists have also gotten creative in their use of remote communication tools as a means of making their work easier. This includes the use of video conferencing tools and real-time messaging apps to stay in touch and share ideas within the realm of collaborative music making online.
Video Conferencing Tools
In situations where meeting in-person to discuss a project may not be possible for cost-effectiveness, video conferencing tools allow music producers and other music professionals to meet synchronously from anywhere in the world. These tools can be great for sharing ideas and even working on projects together at the same time. Meanwhile, video conferencing makes it possible to read a person’s body language in ways that a phone call simply cannot, adding further value and authenticity to the music-making experience.
Examples of popular video conferencing tools include:
- Zoom
- Google Meet
- GoToMeeting
- Zoho Meeting
- Microsoft Teams
Real-Time Messaging Apps
Real-time messaging apps are useful for music collaborators because they let artists, producers, and other professionals connect and share updates instantly without scheduling a video conference.
Often, real-time messaging features are built into DAWs or cloud-based music production platforms as a means of empowering users to stay connected on projects from anywhere in the world. A quick message can be a great way to update other collaborators on changes to a track or even progress made toward a deadline.
File Sharing and Management Solutions
Music files require a great deal of storage space, so being able to share files and collaborate on them remotely requires robust file sharing and management solutions. For example, consider that the average 3.5-minute song takes up more than 30MB of space. Thankfully, tools for storing and sharing audio files have come a long way in a short period of time.
Efficient File Sharing Services
These days, cloud-based file sharing services make it possible to easily store and share audio files to be used in music production. Some common examples of these file sharing services often used by musicians and producers include SoundCloud, Dropbox and iCloud. Meanwhile, the cloud-based nature of these platforms means that files don’t need to be manually transferred from one device to another; instead, all authorized users can have access to files from anywhere and at any time.
Version Control Systems for Music
Several cloud-based music production tools and DAWs also include version control features, which make it possible to save backups of different versions of a file as needed. This way, if one collaborator makes a mistake or needs to revert back to a previous version, doing so is as easy as a few clicks. These features can make remote collaboration less stressful and more efficient while offering a bit more peace of mind.
Case Studies: Successful Online Collaborations
You don’t have to look far to find some great examples of successful online music collaborations in this day and age. Perhaps some of these notable projects may inspire you and help you see what today’s digital collaboration platforms make possible.
Interviews With Music Producers
While every successful music producer takes their own unique path, it can be helpful to read interviews with various producers to understand the diverse journeys they’ve taken to reach their goals. For example, the interview with music producer and pop artist RAMI is especially insightful. RAMI highlights how experimenting with a combination of study courses and online learning tools helped him develop his skills and talents. He says, “Mixing traditional study with online resources allowed me to explore different techniques and find my unique sound.”
Additionally, renowned producer Alex da Kid emphasizes the importance of networking and collaborating with other artists. He shares, “Building relationships in the industry was crucial for my growth. Each collaboration taught me something new and pushed my boundaries.”
Explore a Music Production Program at RMCAD
Today, there are seemingly endless tools and resources to make music production collaboration possible. From online mixing and mastering tools to efficient file sharing services and everything in between, collaborative music making has never felt more possible. The key, of course, is for music producers to take advantage of these technologies and use them to improve their own work.
Interested in learning more about music production and all that this exciting career path has to offer? If so, then be sure to check out the online bachelor of fine arts in music production degree offered by Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD). Here, you can develop not just your musical knowledge and technical skills, but your business principles and much more. Request information about RMCAD’s online music production program by reaching out today or get started by filling out your online application for enrollment.
