❔ Got Questions?

◈ Most jobs complete within 2 weeks. Unforeseen delays can occur (e.g., musician availability) and may extend delivery. No worries, work is performed on a first-come basis. If a delay occurs, your project retains its place in line.

📅 Note: This estimate is for our production time only. It does not include the turnaround time of the vocalist you hire.

Great question. The process has evolved in recent years. Today, most professional demo vocalists prefer to work from their home studios and take jobs through established platforms like SoundBetter, AirGigs, or Vocalizr. That's actually a win for you!

Instead of being limited to whoever the studio picks, you get to choose the vocalist whose tone, vibe, and style best match your song. You also get to provide your own creative input directly to the singer.

Even better, when you hire through a trusted platform, you're protected: the platform ensures prompt delivery and gives you recourse if something isn't right. It keeps everyone accountable and makes the whole process smoother.

Don't worry—Our client portal features our hand-picked recommendations from these three services, as well as step-by-step guides to walk you through the hiring process. Of course, you're still always free to choose any vocalist from any service you prefer.

Yes! We offer one complimentary mix revision—this covers adjustments to levels, EQ, and other mix elements, but does not include re-playing or re-recording any parts.

It's essential to listen closely to the initial mix we send. We recommend taking a few days to listen multiple times—on different devices, in different environments—so you can notice all the details.

📻 A *NOTE* about audio systems: For best results, make sure your audio systems are adjusted to what we call "flat." Meaning, they are not boosting the bass or treble or are exaggerating any frequencies. Do this:

• Set bass and treble settings or knobs to zero(0).
• If your system has settings such as "Studio," "Reference," or "Neutral." These modes are aimed for a flat, accurate playback.
• On systems that have a "direct" or "pure direct" mode, use them, which often disables tone settings.
• Turn off any settings such as "Bass Boost," "Loudness," "Dynamic EQ," or "Surround Sound" modes.
• Avoid presets such as "Rock," "Pop," or "Movie."
• Listen to speakers positioned at ear level.
Don't position speakers in corners, which can amplify low frequencies.

Once you've gathered your thoughts, send us a clear list of the changes you'd like made. We'll apply those revisions to the mix.

Please note:

We do not revise or alter the vocal performance itself. Since the vocalist was hired by you, it's your responsibility to approve their final vocal before sending us the files. That said, if we notice any technical or performance issues when we receive your vocal tracks, we'll let you know right away so you can request a fix from your vocalist before we begin final production.

If something from your revision list is missed, we'll correct it at no charge.

Any changes not included in the original revision list may incur an additional fee, currently $35 USD per hour (subject to change). We're happy to provide a time estimate beforehand—typically, an hour is enough for most small adjustments.

Yes—for the music tracks we produce, we can provide a master-rights release upon request. Commercial use is included at no additional cost for our instrumental production.

However, the vocalist's master rights are separate. Because you hire the vocalist directly, you'll need to obtain a release from them if you plan to use the final vocal commercially. In most cases, vocalists charge a buyout fee—often equivalent to the original vocal fee—and may also request that their name or likeness not be used in public-facing materials.

To make this easier, we offer a complimentary master-release form that includes optional name/likeness language. You're welcome to use it when finalizing terms with your vocalist.

Yes, you can! We offer complimentary vocal tuning on all songwriter demo packages if you choose to sing your own song. We also offer album packages for solo artists.

Please note: While you can sing your own songwriter demo, there are times when it might be worth reconsidering. If you're pitching your song to a publisher or music licensing company, and your vocal performance doesn't match what's expected in professional country recordings, it could hurt your song's chances. Industry decision-makers often expect radio-quality vocals.

That said, if the song demo is for personal use or to promote yourself as an artist—then by all means, go for it! We'll guide you through the process to help you get the best possible result.

Yes! Please note all of our recording packages include three mix variations. Final delivery includes full mix, backing track (no vocals), and karaoke mix (no lead vocal) in both MP3 & WAV.

For an additional fee, we can provide stems or all of your session audio files. Pricing depends on song length and track count. Contact us for a quote.

Stems: Stems are rendered in WAV 24-bit stereo by instrument group (Drums, Vocals, Guitars, etc.) and include the same processing applied in the mix. Unprocessed tracks can be rendered upon request.

Raw audio session files: You can also request the complete raw, unprocessed session files of all instruments and vocals. These are perfect if you want to remix, make revisions later, change vocalists, add parts, or take your song to another studio. We highly recommend this. Files are stored for only 3–6 months due to space limitations – keeping a copy ensures you always have access.

What is vocal gender swapping, and why do it?
It's common for a female songwriter to write a song intended for a male singer—and vice versa. We use AI vocal gender swapping primarily to create guide tracks, making it easier for singers of the opposite gender to learn the melody and feel of the song. It's generally easier for a male to emulate a male voice, and the same goes for female singers. We also offer gender swaps for personal use if requested.

Note: We don't recommend using AI vocals on song demos you plan to pitch to publishers or music licensing companies, as most are currently rejecting AI-generated music and vocals.

How is vocal gender swapping done?
We take your work track and separate the vocal from the music. Then, we use the vocal as a reference to generate a performance by an AI voice of the opposite gender. In some cases, we'll also adjust the key to make the new vocal sound more natural. The result is a new guide track you can give your vocalist to help them learn the song more easily.

*This service typically requires up to 3 hours. Email for a quote.

While we are professional songwriters, we don't officially offer paid song critiques—for two reasons. First, it could create a conflict of interest if we're also helping with your production or songwriting. Second, we'd rather focus on what we do best: helping you finish or produce your song. That said, we're always happy to share our thoughts informally during the process, and we've included trusted critique services on our Resources page if you're looking for outside feedback.

Yes – all songwriting services include two free revisions to ensure the lyrics or melody feel right to you. Whether we're polishing a few lines or adjusting a melodic phrase, we'll work with you to refine the song until it feels ready. Additional revisions beyond the first two are available at $35 per round. Our goal is to help you land on a version that feels true to your vision and is ready to move into production or pitching.

If your purpose is to copyright your song, then to truly humanize an AI song to meet the standard of the US Copyright Office requires at least a moderate-to-significant rewrite. This allows us to reshape the lyrics or melody enough to make them sound natural, emotionally resonant, and legally copyrightable — which is usually what's needed if your goal is to pitch, publish, or protect the song. If you're unsure, we're happy to review your material and recommend the best option for your needs and budget.

Yes, you will. If we're writing from scratch or rewriting your AI-generated lyrics or melody under a work-for-hire agreement, full ownership is yours upon payment. That means you’ll hold the copyright and can legally register the song as your own. If we're revising AI-generated content, we ensure the result is original enough to qualify for copyright protection. Either way, you'll be able to confidently claim ownership of a song that's truly yours.

No. All of our songwriting services are provided as work-for-hire, which means you don't need to credit us or share ownership. Once the work is completed and paid for, the final lyrics and/or melody are yours to copyright and use however you like. Likewise, if you started with AI-generated content, you're not required to credit the AI—though depending on the platform, you may need to review their usage terms. If we revise or replace AI content to make it copyrightable, the final result is entirely yours.

Absolutely. We encourage collaboration! You can provide notes about your theme, mood, style, and any lines or phrases you want us to include or keep. Once we send you the first draft, you'll have two rounds of free revisions to help shape the final result.

"Topline" or "top line" refers to the main vocal melody line (the one that sits on top) of your song. It's what the singer sings—what most listeners remember. The person who writes this melody is called the "topliner." This word came about to refer to people who specialize in writing a vocal melody (and often the lyrics) to an existing music track.

AI-to-human music production is the process of taking your AI-generated idea— like a vocal, melody, or full track—and recreating it using real musicians and vocalists. It transforms your AI sketch into a professional, human-performed Nashville demo that's ready to pitch to publishers and music licensing companies.

Definitely. We specialize in AI-to-Human song transformations. Even a partial melody, lyric, or track can be a great starting point. Just send us what you have—we'll review it and let you know what we can build from it. We can help you finish writing the lyrics and melody, and then shape it into a polished, pitch-ready song demo. If your original idea isn't yet copyrightable, we'll work with you to refine it into something uniquely yours. Check out our Services page to learn more.

AI vocals can be helpful in drafting ideas, but if you're pitching your song demo to publishers or licensing companies, human vocals are a must. Industry professionals expect real performances, and AI vocals are often rejected outright. A human singer also adds emotion, phrasing, and nuance that AI can't replicate.

We won't create a note-for-note re-creation of your AI track—and it shouldn't be. For your music to be copyrightable, it needs to include real human input. That's why we encourage you to let our skilled musicians and producers bring their own feel to the performance. We'll match the overall groove, vibe, and energy of your AI reference, but we'll also add natural variations and embellishments that make the track uniquely yours (and human).

Yes! If your AI track feels a little generic or mechanical, we can develop a more musical chord progression or build a custom arrangement around your melody. It's a great way to evolve the idea into something uniquely yours.

Yes! If your lyrics or melody came from an AI tool, we can still help. Just be aware that many platforms restrict how their output can be used, and AI-generated content often isn't eligible for copyright as-is. That's where we come in. With our AI-to-Human song service, we can help you reshape or refine your lyrics or rewrite your topline vocal melody so it's uniquely yours and fully copyrightable. Check out our AI-to-Human Song Services page to learn more.

Technically, we could keep your AI instrumental—but if your goal is to pitch the song demo to publishers or licensing companies, we strongly recommend re-recording the track with real musicians. Industry gatekeepers are currently rejecting demos that contain AI-generated audio, Live players give you cleaner sound, richer dynamics, and far fewer legal gray areas. Re-tracking also lets us reshape the arrangement so it's unmistakably original and fully copyright-eligible. If you love the vibe of your AI version, we can use it as a reference and rebuild the parts with human musicians to match—or even enhance—what you already have.

We may not have an exact voice match, but we have a curated roster of pro vocalists with a wide range of tones and styles. Share your AI voice or reference with us—we'll help you find a singer who fits the vibe and vocal character you're looking for.

Full payment is required in advance.

When we send your project quote, it will include an invoice with a secure payment link via your preferred provider—PayPal or Stripe. Your project is officially added to our production queue once full payment is received. You may notice your invoice or payment receipt is issued from Music City Recording – that's our parent company handling secure payment processing.

We accept either PayPal or Stripe.

How to Pay with PayPal (No Account Needed): You can pay with a credit card, debit card, or bank account. Just click the link we send, then select "Pay with Debit or Credit Card" or "Check Out as Guest." It's quick, secure, and you'll get instant confirmation.

How to Pay with Stripe (No Account Needed): Stripe accepts all major credit and debit cards, plus Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other local payment methods. Just click the secure link we send and choose your preferred payment option at checkout. It's fast, flexible, and fully encrypted.

Please Note: Our prices do not include the transaction fees charged by PayPal or Stripe. To offset this cost, a 4% processing fee will be added to your invoice total and clearly labeled as "Fees (PayPal 4%)" or "Fees (Stripe 4%)" depending on the payment method used.

You may cancel your project at any time.

• Before Work Starts: We'll refund the full service fee you've paid, minus the 4% payment processing fee (PayPal/Stripe), which is non-refundable.
• After Work Has Started: You'll only be billed for the portion of work completed, calculated either by percentage of completion or by hours worked (current hourly rate: $35 USD). Any remaining balance will be refunded to your original payment method, minus the 4% processing fee.
• Why is the 4% fee non-refundable? PayPal and Stripe keep their transaction fees when a refund is issued, so we can't recover those costs.
• If applicable, the remaining balance will be refunded to your original payment method.

You own the underlying song and have full rights to use the music track we create. We grant you a commercial use release for our production. However, the vocalist's performance is a different matter. Most demo singers record vocals for demonstration purposes only. If you plan to release or monetize the demo, you'll need to obtain a commercial use or master rights release from the vocalist—something that often requires an additional buyout fee. We can provide you with a standard release form to help make that process easier.

Not entirely. Whether you're adding lyrics to an AI-generated melody or writing a new melody for AI-generated lyrics, there are still copyright concerns. Most AI-generated content isn't copyrightable as-is, especially if it came from a platform with restrictive terms or lacked meaningful human input. To fully own the song and make it legally yours, both the lyrics and melody typically need some level of human rewriting. That's where we can help. Our AI-to-Human Song Service offers top line melody and lyric development assistance to help turn your AI-assisted idea into an original, copyrightable song that's ready for the industry.

For a deeper dive into the subject, visit the U.S. Copyright Office page on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence↗🌐.

You can—but it's not recommended. Copyright registration isn't legally required to pitch your song, but it does give you added protection in case there's ever a dispute over ownership. It also shows industry professionals that you take your work seriously. If your song was created using AI or heavily assisted by it, you may not be eligible for copyright until human contributions have been made. Our AI-to-Human Song Service can help you develop your song into something fully original—and copyrightable.

No problem! If you're in a country that's part of the Berne Convention (which includes over 180 nations), your copyright is automatically recognized in the U.S. upon creation. However, registering your copyright with your local government—or with the U.S. Copyright Office↗🌐—is still a smart move. It helps prove ownership, makes licensing easier, and offers stronger legal protection if someone misuses your work.

Only if you have the proper rights. If your song demo includes a vocalist you hired, you must have a master rights release—or written permission—from that vocalist to use their performance commercially. Many vocalists charge a separate buyout fee for this, and some may require that their name or likeness not be used in connection with your release.

Right now, most don't. Publishers and sync licensing companies are rejecting songs that include AI-generated vocals or instrumental tracks. They want to work with music that is both human-performed and copyright-clear. Using AI as a starting point is fine. But final demo recordings should be fully humanized—with human contributions to the lyrics and melody, as well as human performance—if your goal is industry acceptance. Our AI-to-Human Song Service can help you develop your song into something fully pitchable—and copyrightable.

Enough to make it original, human-influenced, and copyrightable. That means human contributions to the lyrics and melody. It also usually means replacing AI vocals with a real singer and recreating the instrumental track with live musicians or substantial human arrangement. The more human creative input involved, the more legally sound—and professionally accepted—your song or recording will be. Our AI-to-Human Song Service can help you develop your song into something industry-ready—and copyrightable.