Kompoz is a cloud-based collaborative service that works with audio file uploads, allowing each person working on a track can still record with their DAW of choice. Jamulus is another real-time jam program built with open-source software that some readers have had success with. Jamtaba is a free, open-source software that hosts virtual jam sessions. Still in its beta testing stage but already attracting a lot of attention, the program is set to launch March 31. Rather, it's a direct device-to-device service that still allows you to share large files (like DAW projects) with others.Įndless is an electronic music–focused app aimed at beatmakers, producers, and DJs looking to jam in real-time with others.
We've compiled their suggestions here as well.īandLab is a free collaborative DAW that automatically syncs your work to the cloud, and boasts a user-friendly array of recording options, virtual instruments, and many ways to connect with other musicians.īinfer is a file-sharing service that, unlike Dropbox, doesn't work via the cloud.
Update: Readers in the comments section below and via email have been letting us know about other collaborative platforms and programs they enjoy. Players can record their performances at the individual track level to make actual live recordings later, and/or broadcast live performance to friends, family, and fans. JamKazam is a service that lets players play music with other musicians from their own homes across the internet, but in even higher definition. Now, if you're looking for a collaborative live experience at a higher level than Instagram Live, check out JamKazam. But if you're interested in doing a stripped-down, casual show with a bandmate or two for your online fanbase, Instragram Live is quickly becoming the go-to platform for such virtual events. It's important to remember here that-unless you use a mobile mic or mobile recording interface and mic-you'll be playing into your phone's built-in mic and camera and transmitting over wi-fi, so you definitely shouldn't except a flawlessly clean-sounding recording-especially if you're using louder, electric instruments. One way you can do this is through Instagram Live, via a newer feature that allows multiple people to live-stream together. If you're one of the many bands that has seen their touring calendars and scheduled shows cancelled for the foreseeable future, you might be less focused right now on making new music than on finding ways to perform for all of your fans that missed out.
Rather than, say, having you record a melody into the Voice Memos folder on your phone, SoundStorming encourages musicians to upload that idea onto its app, where a global community of musicians can weigh in, brainstorm, and even collaborate on your idea from wherever they are in the world. SoundStorming is another likeminded "social music app" that's working to make music more collaborative and discoverable. And because it's browser-based, it's easy to invite friends from across your social media channels to collaborate on your sessions. Just with the Basic version, users get space to work on up to five projects, 210 instruments and sounds, and 900 loops-all for free. The interface is simple, which is great for beginners or even the most casual users to get started right away. Soundtrap can be a great resource whether you're recording your own music, recording your own podcast, or trying to get into beatmaking directly in a DAW format. There are so many apps out there that can do this, but one easy-to-use collaborative platform is Soundtrap (owned by Spotify)-which is a robust, modern DAW that's entirely online. As our computers at home get more and more robust, so too do the apps that allow us to make music from our bedrooms.