Frequently Asked Questions

Kompoz.com is a free online music collaboration service. Use it to compose new music with other artists around the world. Got an idea for a song? Record a track. Upload it. Then invite others to add drums, bass, vocals or anything else.

Kompoz.com makes it easy to collaborate with others. You start by creating a project (i.e., a "song"), then add one or more tracks. You can upload MP3, WMA, OGG, AIF, or WAV files to your project quickly and easily. Your project will include a discussion forum where you can post your ideas for the song, lyrics, chord charts, and more.  Others can post questions and replies.

Public collaborations are 100% free. There are no bandwidth or storage fees. You may create as many public projects as you wish, and participate in as many projects as you wish with no costs.

Or, you can upgrade to our PLUS membership tier and have even more benefits.  PLUS members can upload high-def, non-compressed audio files; they can use our desktop upload and download software; they may publish finished projects to our mobile streaming radio channels; and more. Learn more.

We have many tutorials available that cover everything you need to know about online collaboration.  You can also check our community forums to ask questions and discuss with others.  And of course, if you have any questions, feel free to contact us anytime.

The Kompoz artists.  When you upload your original music to Kompoz, you own the copyright to your work.  We (Kompoz) do not make any claim to it.  All Kompoz projects have an associated license agreement, which might extend usage rights to others.  For example, a project might allow others to create derivative projects based on your works.  Licenses vary by project.  When a project is created, the project founder (the original creator of the project) will select a license agreement that will govern the work for the project. If you decided to contribute to the project, your contribution will be subject to the license of the overall project.  Most projects fall under one of the Creative Commons licenses.  Some adopt a traditional copyright license.  

You know... "compose".  As in, "Mozart was a famous composer."  Yes, the spelling is a bit funny, but our mission is not.  We're redefining the way music is created, produced, and distributed.  Join us!

No. Kompoz is an open collaboration community. 99% of the time, people create projects here because they want others to contribute. That's why we're all here.  Typically, your contributions will be very much appreciated.  Your tracks will be added to the projects as "auditions".  The project founder will get an e-mail notification when your track is added, and s/he will either approve it (mark it as an accepted track), or will add a comment and leave it as an audition.  Upload your best work and enjoy.

Most new members are confused by the term.  It sounds like a complicated audio/engineering thing, but it's not.  In fact, the purpose and use of sync tones is rather simple.  First, let me explain the problem sync tones address. 

The Problem:

• Kompoz members live all over the world and use many different types of recording tools,
• Chances are slim that everyone you collaborate with will be using the same DAW as you,
• When audio is compressed (e.g., converted to an MP3 or other format), the compression algorithms often pad/add/drop bytes to optimize for file size.

By adding a sync tone at the beginning of your track, others will be able to align to that.  A sync tone is nothing more than a very distinctive sound, which is not part of the final song, but is included in all of the individual tracks.  It acts as a marker.  Other members will be able to import your tracks, then align them -- visually -- using the sync tone.  Simple!

We have several tutorials and more details here.

Anything that works. Pro Tools, Logic, GarageBand, Sonar, Cubase -- the choice is yours.  When you upload your tracks to Kompoz, you'll be uploading the individual audio files in one of the standard supported formats (e.g., MP3, WAV, WMA, AIF, etc).  All of the recording tools (DAWs) mentioned (and probably 99% of all recording tools) support exporting tracks to these formats.

Kompoz allows you to upload in WAV, AIF, MP3, WMA, OGG and other formats.  However, non-paying members are restricted to compressed audio formats (e.g., MP3, WMA) only.  

MP3 and WMA formats are considered "lossy compression formats", designed to greatly reduce the amount of data required to represent audio, yet still sound like a faithful reproduction of the original uncompressed audio to most listeners. Because the files are considerably smaller than uncompressed files, these two formats are popular for online use, where download times are an important factor. However, most audio purists feel that WAV PCM files offer a better choice for digital encoding since the format offers a "lossless" storage method (all samples of the audio are preserved).

Many of our members prefer using the WAV format for maximum audio quality.

The debate continues. Formal and informal listening tests have shown that MP3 files encoded at the 192kbps (with modern encoders) provide results indistinguishable from the original materials in most of the cases. It is also important to note that perceived quality can be influenced by listening environment (ambient noise), listener attention, and listener training.

Kompoz PLUS members may upload files in the following formats:

• WAV
• AIF
• MP3
• OGG
• WMA
• APE
• MIDI
• PDF

Non-paying members may upload files in the following formats:

• MP3
• MIDI
• PDF

Private Projects allow you to collaborate privately, hidden away from the eyes and ears of the general Kompoz population.  With Private Projects, you control who has access to the project.  You can create a secure access list, so that only select individuals (whom you choose) can particpate.  This is ideal for established and virtual online bands.  Buy Now.

We do not allow cover songs in Public projects.  Public projects should be new original music only.  However, you may work on a cover song in a Private project.

• Be sure to upload separate tracks ("seps") for each instrument in your mix.  Here's a scenario that happens way too often... A new member posts a song idea, which -- for example --  is a guitar melody recorded along with a drum machine.  If the guitar track is not isolated and uploaded as a separate track, then it makes it very difficult for another member, who wants to replace the drum track with something better, to participate.
• Use Sync Tones.  Many Kompozers will not join projects that do not use Sync Tones.  It's pretty simple to do.  See the FAQ about Sync Tones for more info.
• Upload Album Art. Get noticed.  There's no disputing the fact that attractive packaging sells.  A nice "album cover" for your song will help it to stand out in the crowd of others.
• You Help Me, I'll Help You. The best way to get people involved in and excited about your projects is to get involved in and excited about their's.  Contribute a track to another member's project, and chances are pretty good that s/he will return the favor.  I'm telling you, this works.
• Don't Be Passive. Don't be afraid to ask.  Send an invite to other members using the "Invite Me To a Project" link which appears on each member's profile page.  Be specific in your invite, and be polite (e.g., "I love your kazoo work on your last project.  I'm working on a song that could really use your talents!").
• Advertise For Free. Feel free to post a blog or on the message on the forums to let people know that you're looking for some help on your project. This is another "invite" method, but less direct. I think "direct" works better, but use both.

Yes.  We have an official streaming iPhone/iPad app (get it), which allows anyone to listen to finished/published collaborations in a Pandora-like fashion.  

There is also a member-greated Andoid app (get it).