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GOT QUESTIONS?

FAQ

  • Who will sing my song? Can I sing it myself?
    It is your choice whether you want to perform on your own track or hire a vocalist to perform it for you. If you are interested in recording your own vocals at home, but don't know where to start, check out this article. Alternatively, we can help you book a recording session at a studio near you. If you would like to hire a vocalist, we can send you options that we think are a good fit for your song.
  • How do I pick a vocalist?
    Picking the right singer for your song can feel daunting! But rest assured, you are not alone in this. The first step is to decide whether you want a male or female vocalist (or both). The next step is to think of your references - if Celine Dion is one of the references for your song, you wouldn’t pick a singer with a light, airy voice. We have built up a list of trusted vocalists and will send you some option that we think best suit your song. If none sound right for your song, that’s ok! There are a lot of amazing singers out there and we can help you look for the right one. You are also welcome to utilize services like Soundbetter, a platform that allows you to explore and listen to the work of amazing singers across all genres. Importantly, we always want to pick a singer before we record any instruments. This is so that we can work with the singer to pick the best key for the song.
  • How long does the whole process take?
    Ideally, allow 4-6 weeks for a song to go from idea to final product. The song creation process goes through many stages, some of which involve a lot of moving parts. For example, booking all the musicians and a studio for the same day, waiting for the vocalist to recover from a cold or slotting the song into the queue for mixing. We are always happy to update you on where your song is in the process and will send you updated versions of the song as it goes through the different stages.
  • How do I pick a genre?
    The most likely answer here is the genre you tend to listen to most or the genre that inspires your songwriting. If you don’t know, that’s totally fine. We can put our ears to it and let you know what we hear. Also check out our FAQ "What are references?", since that can inform your genre. Some genres to pick from are: Rock, Pop, Funk/Soul, Singer-Songwriter, Bluegrass, Progressive Rock, Reggae, Country/Folk/Acoustic, Blues, Jazz Fusion, Latin/Afrobeat/Global, Metal, Film/TV/Orchestral Composition, A Capella and Kids Music.
  • What are references and how do I find them?
    A reference is an existing song or artist that captures the vibe you're going for and helps us shape the production. It’s not about copying, but about understanding the “musical colors” you’re drawn to so we can paint with a similar palette. Think about what artists you love, who inspired your song, or who it reminds you of. That gives us a solid creative direction while honoring both your musical identity and the song’s unique character. And if you’re unsure? That’s totally fine. Discovering your sound is often part of the recording journey and we’re here to help you find it.
  • How do I start the process of creating a personalized song at Your Life In Song?
    The first step is to connect with us so that we can hear from you about the kind of music you would love to make. You can either book a free consultation call with us or reach out to us through our contact form and let us know all about your project. Once we know what your specific project entails, we'll come up with a plan and a customized no-obligation quote based on the info you provide. If you're not sure what to expect during a consultation call, check out the video below, in which our lead producer Sean explains what you can expect.
  • What are the different steps involved in creating a song?
    The first step is coming up with a song. We can help you with the writing process by setting you up with a songwriter for a writing session. If you already have a song written or you want to record your own version of an existing song, you can skip this step. Next, we discuss the details of what you want your song to sound like and start the recording process. We book any musicians, as well as the vocalist (if required) according to your needs. Lastly, all the elements are brought together in the "mixing" phase to create a cohesive, professional sounding track. We’ll stay in touch the whole time to make sure everything’s moving in the right direction together. Once you're happy, we provide you with the final audio files. Click here to book your free consultation today
  • Do I have to schedule a call first to get started?
    Not at all! If you're more comfortable sending us your project details by email, you're absolutely welcome to do so. The call option is simply there for those who’d like to chat first; to get to know us, ask questions, and help us better understand their goals before getting started. You can send your questions or project details to info@lifeinsongstudios.com OR fill out our contact form.
  • What happens if I choose to do a songwriting session? What does it look like?
    While it may seem intimidating, it’s really not. One of our writers will hop on a video call with you to work on your song. You’ll throw ideas around and our writer will help you write and/or refine and fine tune your song. Writing sessions are 3 hours long. If you don’t know any music theory, that’s ok! They’ll be able to come up with chords. Just bring your ideas. Some people come up with lyrics, some with melodies, some both. A lot of people throw their melody ideas into voice notes on their phone. That’s great! No need for perfection; this is the time to explore. No matter what you bring, our writer will fill in the gaps so you end up with a song you’re proud of.
  • What happens if I don't like the vocals?
    If there are small changes needed (fixing a few words or phrases), we are typically able to do a round of limited revisions with our vocalists (depending on their revisions policies). If it turns out that you don’t like the vocalist for the song and want a re-record with a different singer, we still have to pay the original vocalist for their work, even if we don’t use their vocals, as well as paying the new vocalist. That’s why it’s so important to make sure the right vocalist is chosen for the song. Some vocalists will do a test recording (Verse and Chorus) for a small fee. Let us know if you would like to explore that option.
  • Who owns my song?
    There are two components of a song that can be owned: The Song – This includes the lyrics and melody. The Recording – This is the final audio file (the "master") that results from the production process. Original Songwriting If you write the song entirely on your own, you retain 100% ownership of the song. If you co-write with one of our in-house songwriters, ownership will be split 50/50, in accordance with standard Nashville songwriting practices. Song Buyout Option You may choose to buy out the rights to the song from the songwriter you work with. In this case, you will own 100% of the song. Recording Ownership As the paying client, you retain 100% ownership of the final recording (master). All musicians involved in the production are considered work-for-hire and hold no rights or claims to the recording or the song.
  • Can you give me stems?
    Yes, we can provide you with stems at an additional cost.
  • Will you sell my personal information? (Privacy Policy)
    PRIVACY POLICY Last updated May 30 2025 We care about your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you interact with our website or contact us directly. Who We Are We’re a small, independent business operated by a small team, offering music creation, recording, and licensing services. Our goal is to provide a personalized and supportive experience for every client. What Information We Collect We only collect the information you choose to share with us, such as: ​​ Your name and email address (e.g., if you fill out a contact form or book a call) Any other details you provide when reaching out for services We may also collect basic, anonymous data like website traffic stats (via tools like Google Analytics) to help us improve the site. This data doesn’t identify you personally. How We Use Your Information We use your information to: Respond to your messages or inquiries Book calls or consultations Provide the services you've requested Send occasional updates or resources (only if you’ve opted in). You may unsubscribe at any time. We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal data to anyone - ever. Cookies Our website may use cookies to improve functionality and track anonymous usage data. You can choose to disable cookies through your browser settings if you prefer. Third-Party Services If we use third-party services (like Calendly for booking), your data may be processed by those services under their own privacy policies. We only work with trusted platforms that take data privacy seriously. How We Keep Your Data Safe We do our best to protect your information through secure platforms and limited internal access. We don’t collect or store sensitive data (like credit card info) directly on our site. Your Rights You can ask us to update or delete your personal data at any time by contacting us. Just email us at info@lifeinsongstudios.com Changes To This Policy We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we’ll change the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page.
  • Revision Policy
    Pre-Production Approval Before any recording begins, we will provide you with a rough demo outlining our vision for the production. This demo must be approved by you before any session musicians are engaged. Approval confirms that you are satisfied with the overall direction of the track. Post-Recording Changes Once musicians have recorded their parts, changes to the song’s style, arrangement, or production will incur additional costs. For this reason, it is essential to approve the initial demo before recording starts. Additional Instrumentation If additional instruments are requested that were not included in the original quote, they will be subject to extra charges. Mix Revisions We offer up to three (3) rounds of mix revisions at no extra charge. These may include changes such as adjusting vocal levels, altering instrument volume, or removing elements in a section of the song. Any revisions requested beyond the third round will be billed at an hourly rate. We strive to finalize the mix to your satisfaction within these three rounds. Vocal Revisions Vocal revisions are subject to the terms and policies of the session singers involved. Some singers may allow one round of revisions at no extra charge, while others may charge for any changes. We work closely with vocalists to ensure the best possible performance is captured the first time, minimizing the need for revisions.
  • Why is there A 50% deposit?
    A deposit is required for us to be able to start working on your song and to hire any musicians necessary to play on it. Making music takes a lot of time and effort. If we spend a week on a song and a client decides they no longer want to continue, the deposit allows us to recoup the time and money already spent and make sure musicians are paid. As a small business, our deposit policy ensures we can pay the bills.
  • I have a few songs written. How do I pick one?
    We’ve found that the best way to pick a song is to run the options by a few trusted friends or family members and see which one they connect with most.
  • What is mastering and do I need it?
    Song mastering is the final stage of the process - it involves making precise adjustments to the overall mix of the song, to optimize it for consistent playback across all devices. The goal is to ensure that the track sounds polished and uniformly loud, whether it's played on streaming services, radios, or personal devices. We include mastering on your final song at no extra charge.
  • Why should I pick "Life In Song Studios" to create my song?
    We have 20+ years of experience working with songwriters, musicians and artists in Nashville and remotely all over the world, as far as Germany, Taiwan and South Africa. We know how to guide you through the process of writing and recording your song, because we have worked with professional chart topping songwriters, as well as writers who are completely new to the music industry. Your free consultation is a chance to ask us anything and see if we’re a good match! But don't just take our word for it. Head over to our Testimonials page to hear what some of our previous clients have to say!
  • I created beats / recorded instruments myself. Can you use my production files?
    If you have pre existing elements that you really want included in the final product, we can make it happen! Let's chat about it during your free consultation or e-mail us with your questions! Samples in Sync Keep in mind that some samples/sounds cannot be used in music for sync. Read more about sync licensing here.
  • Do you have a price list?
    Not all songs are the same. Some may need more musicians or production time, while others are simpler and more straightforward. Each song (or group of songs) has its own unique needs, so it's important to evaluate them individually when determining cost. That said, we offer a basic pricing guide to help you make informed decisions for your project. Send us a message if you'd like to see our pricing guide before booking your call.
  • What do I do with my song once it's finished?
    You are absolutely free to do whatever you’d like with your song. You can release it, promote it, send it to radio, try to get it placed in film/television, anything you like! Here are some resources to check out: How to release your song: Head over to our music release guide for an overview. How to promote your song: Once your song is released, your options for promotion are endless. Check out this article for a really good breakdown of reputable promotion services. How to pitch your song to radio: Many of the services in the above article offer radio promotion services as well. Also, if you have a specific radio station in mind, or you want to pitch to your local station, go and check their websites for submission guidelines. Many radio stations will allow anyone to send in music for consideration. Make sure to follow all the guidelines to the tee, especially in terms of delivery format (mp3, streaming, etc). How to pitch your music for sync placement: We give you a brief explainer on the sync industry and how to start your journey in sync here. *This information is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. For questions regarding contracts, rights, or other legal matters, please consult a qualified entertainment attorney.
  • How do I record myself at home?
    Check out this blog post for a breakdown of everything you'll need to consider to start recording at home - minus the confusing tech talk.
  • I want to pitch my song to a famous artist or big publisher.
    This article provides a clear breakdown of the different avenues for song submission. *We are not affiliated with Marty Dodson or SongTown, but we believe this article offers helpful insight for aspiring songwriters.
  • Can you connect me with a sync agent, manager, publisher or record label?
    Unfortunately not. We are a small team with specific skills and we like to focus on those so that we can produce amazing results for our clients. Head over to (educational section) for some helpful articles on promoting your music.
  • Do I need to copyright my song?
    That is entirely up to you. For a quick read on the basics of music copyright, go here. This online guide offers a clear, beginner-friendly overview of music copyright, covering key topics such as: The distinction between composition and sound recording copyrights The benefits of registering your work with the U.S. Copyright Office Common myths, like the “poor man’s copyright” The importance of split sheets and co-writer agreements Alternatively, for a more in-depth exploration, this article delves into the nuances of copyright law, public domain, and the roles of various contributors in music creation. You can head over to the copyright office website and submit your copyright registration online: https://www.copyright.gov/registration/ We are not lawyers and this is not legal advice. Please speak to a music business lawyer if you are unsure. *This information is intended for educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. For questions regarding contracts, rights, or other legal matters, please consult a qualified entertainment attorney.
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