Basics of online music collaboration

Decades ago, music collaboration was a costly venture to consider. The logistical nightmare was a paramount concern, no less than the creative process that musicians will have to go through. That seems to have changed these days. With the world on lockdown due to COVID-19, the limited movement led to a newfound dependence on technology. With regards to music, there has been a rise in remote collaboration among musicians, compensating for (if not totally replacing) the lack of a music studio as people knew it then. In this article, DJ and music producer James Haidak shares a primer on how innovation can change the way musicians collaborate while the world remains in lockdown.

First, you need to set up your own project studio. This will involve investing in high-quality audio equipment because it pays to have a professional quality recording of your voice and musical instruments. Keep in mind that the system has to run smoothly, as glitches can hamper the momentum of the creative process. You will then have to consider your choice of DAW or Digital Audio Workstation, which is basically the software. Some suggest adopting a single platform among musicians, one that is widely used. This minimizes the risks and the time spent converting and exchanging huge WAV files, for example.

Some applications to consider are Pro-Tools, which is still a good choice for some semblance of a professional studio; there's Apple Logic, which has been catching up on the market lately. Popular too in some regions are Steinberg’s Cubase and Nuendo. But, before you acquire any of these, you may find it handy to search YouTube for some tutorials to check first. The video-sharing platform has become a convenient reference for pretty much everything these days.

James Haidak is a DJ born in Washington DC and currently divides his home base between Koh Phangan and Amsterdam. He loves to share his insights on the music industry and music trends. For similar reads, visit this page.