Collaborating in a band, especially when members are not always in the same location, presents unique challenges that can put a strain on the creative process. Email threads, voicenotes, and text messages often result in a disorganized jumble of files and comments, making it difficult to efficiently compare versions, implement specific feedback, and keep up the forward momentum each time you need to make a decision as a group. This lack of organization can lead to misunderstandings, wasted time, and ultimately, delays in the production process.

For bands like Saticöy, who found viral success on TikTok with their “Learning Songs in 30 Seconds” series, Highnote acts as a home base for their band’s current demos and upcoming releases. "It removes a lot of the friction of reviewing and comparing between different versions. So I think its version control is a lot better than anything else that I've ever dealt with." says keyboard and sax player Tim Greer.

Here are 5 ways Highnote can improve your band’s collaboration process from practice, to demo, to stream:

Make note of key parts to keep or sections you want to rework

Whether deciding on section placements, shortening different sections, or adjusting syncopation, using Highnote to leave detailed comments on song structures, comparing current with previous takes can save a lot of time. "We currently use Highnote for arrangement notes…do we want this section here? Do we want to shorten that? Do we want this syncopation used at this certain point?" says Jaron Takach, drummer and producer for the band. 

Use nested version to track the progress of each track

While writing, songs can morph and transform from week to week. It’s helpful to be able to easily look back and keep track of what’s changed and what was. Sometimes you might even find a previous version was even stronger, and pivot back. With Highnote’s nested versions feature you can group similar tracks together and instantly toggle them mid-streaming to hear the changes.

Make use of notifications for timely feedback

“Did you hear the new demo I put in the folder?...”“Well, no, you didn’t tell me there was a new one.” 

Setting up notifications is crucial for timely feedback. It ensures that everyone in the band is updated whenever a new track is uploaded or a comment is made, keeping the collaboration process efficient and everyone informed. Jaron told us, “I can tell whenever someone listens to any of the songs… I get a notification for new comments and I can jump right in to respond to feedback”.

Use Highnote as your source of truth

Efficiently organizing tracks and folders is essential when working on a creative project with a group of people. Having everything in one place makes it easy to find and manage different versions and notes, streamlining your band's workflow and reducing time spent searching for files. You can also upload attachments like reference playlists from Spotify, links to mastering engineers you’re considering, or lyric docs.

Leverage Highnote’s timestamped annotations

Highnote’s time stamped messages and annotations are highly beneficial for precise feedback. This allows your band members to leave text comments at specific points in the track on top of the waveform, hum and record new ideas with voice comments, and even vote on new ideas using polls.