Sessionwire – When COVID was a thing…
Sessionwire – When COVID was a thing in 2020, I began a search for a software to allow me to work on music production remotely with clients with good
fidelity. Sessionwire showed up on my radar Spring 2020 and I began to
experiment with it. Mixing is usually an email communication thing, I
make a mix, you listen at home and send me back “notes” with revision
ideas. The quicker you get back to me, the quicker I can implement
changes. Hopefully the feedback loop is quick and tight enough to
avoid me going down long “time holes” or “wrong ends” as I call them.
Sessionwire is perfect, kinda like zoom but with uncompromised sound
quality. Screen sharing is also a key function for consulting and
sharing of ideas, software useage, etc.
Back in the day, all mixing and mastering sessions were attended in my
studio. The client would be there, probably listening to a version I
spent a few hours on preparing. The client is listening on my speakers
in my room, which is both good and bad. Good in that they hear what I
hear, but bad in that this environment may not be familiar, and later
when the client listens to it on the home systems (or car) they may
feel it sounds different. The art of music production is one of trying
to get the sound the client wants, everywhere if possible. You don’t want the
music only sounding good on one set of speakers. Translation is a
topic I’ll dive into much deeper in another post. But the priority is
to make the client/composer happy with the sound they are hearing,
optimally through their own stuff. Sessionwire does that very well.
Sessionwire has a few strengths: I find it relatively easy to use,
especially in setting up clients to listen. I have only used it in a
mixing/mastering context, but it can also be used for remote tracking,
consulting purposes, etc.
I enjoy the freedom Sessionwire gives me to have the client “right
there” making decisions with me, but then if I choose I can go work on
my own without putting my client out. Plus I don’t have to vacuum! 😉
Here’s Sessionwire’s website blurb on their program:
Sessionwire is a specialized, high-fidelity remote recording and
collaboration platform designed for audio professionals, offering
studio-quality bi-directional audio (48k/32-bit float), ultra-low
latency, and seamless DAW integration. Its primary strengths include
built-in HD video/talkback, easy guest access via browser, and secure,
direct file sharing, making it ideal for remote tracking and mixing.
Key strengths of Sessionwire as a remote software include:
High-Quality Audio & Low Latency: Delivers studio-quality,
uncompressed, or lightly compressed audio streams, ensuring real-time
performance without noticeable delay. DAW Integration: Features VST3,
AAX, and AU plugins that allow direct routing of audio from any DAW
(Pro Tools, Logic, Ableton, Studio One) for seamless collaboration.
Integrated Communication Tools: Combines high-definition video
conferencing, voice chat, and specialized talkback functionality (with
auto-mute) in one application, eliminating the need for separate apps
like Zoom or Skype. “Behind the Glass” Experience: Facilitates a
natural, real-time working environment, allowing producers and artists
to feel connected as if they were in the same room.
User-Friendly Guest Access: Allows guests to join sessions instantly
through a web browser, which simplifies the approval process for
clients without requiring them to install software.
Secure File Sharing: Provides built-in file transfer capabilities,
allowing for secure, direct sharing of audio stems and project files.
Cross-Platform Support: Compatible with both macOS and Windows,
catering to diverse studio setups. Essentially, Sessionwire replaces
the need to combine multiple, less specialized tools (like Zoom for
video, Dropbox for files, and Source-Connect for audio) by offering an
all-in-one, purpose-built, and user-friendly platform for remote music
production.
For more information, visit: https://www.sessionwire.com/
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