What’s possible in a session, what’s not, and how to set things up for success.
Musiversal sessions are powerful. In just 30 minutes (or 45 for vocalists), you can get high-quality recordings with top-tier musicians. But like any creative process, there are a few boundaries to keep things smooth, fair, and productive for everyone.
In this article, you'll learn about:
What you can achieve in a session
✅ One instrument part, up to 3 minutes long
In a 30-minute session (or 45 for vocalists), you can expect up to 2 full takes of one part for a song or piece that’s around 3 minutes long.
For example:
If your full track is 20 minutes, but you only need drums for a 3-minute section, one session is enough. But if the part is longer than 3 minutes, more time will be needed.
✅ Multiple short cues (read the conditions below)
If you have multiple short pieces (like film or media cues), you can record them in one session. To make this work, it's mandatory that you:
- Make sure they add up to no more than 3 minutes total
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Use just one sheet music/chords chart file
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Use one audio guide, with each cue separated by a few bars of silence. The musician shouldn't open multiple DAW sessions to record.
✅ Sight-readable or improvised music
Easy-to-read or improvisable parts are ideal. For improvisation, make sure you send a chord chart or lead sheet, so the musician has a musical foundation. Find which materials you need here.
✅ Longer sessions, more flexibility
Need more time? You can book multiple back-to-back sessions (60, 90, or 120 minutes). This gives you:
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The possibility to work on tracks longer than 3' long
- More takes
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Time for feedback and adjustments
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Room to explore longer or more detailed pieces
Learn how to book Longer sessions here.
What you can’t achieve in a session
❌ Classical repertoire by historic composers
Musiversal doesn’t support the recording of pieces like Bach Sonatas, Beethoven Symphonies, or Tchaikovsky Concertos. These works fall outside our platform’s scope.
❌ Multiple instruments in one session
Even if a musician plays several instruments, each one takes time to set up and switch. Please book one session per instrument.
❌ Multiple overdubs or parts of the same instrument
Need layered cello tracks or lead vocals plus backing vocals? Those are considered separate parts. Expect to book multiple sessions.
❌ More than one song or piece
Sessions are designed for one piece per session. Even if one ends quickly, the time used to prep, review, and record only covers one work.
❌ Complex or hard-to-read pieces
If your music is intricate and requires study time, one session won’t cut it. You can potentially book longer sessions to do this, but if the work requires that the musician studies for hours, it won't be possible to achieve regardless. If in doubt, you can reach out to Support ahead of time to check if your piece is doable.
❌ Arrangements written on the spot
Want a horn section or string quartet? You’ll need to provide a full arrangement in advance. Artists won’t create ensemble parts during the session. Check out our Live Arrangement service here.
❌ Recording for loops, VIs, or sample libraries
Using our sessions to create loops or sample libraries is not allowed. However, you’re welcome to record full songs for production music libraries.
❌ Composing from scratch
Our musicians are not hired to write music from the ground up. They won’t create melodies or lyrics unless it’s in a dedicated Songwriting session.
Even for Beat Making sessions: you need to provide an audio idea to work from (like a scratch track in WAV format with BPM). Musicians won’t invent a beat from nothing.
❌ Translating lyrics or writing them in another language
Some singers are multilingual, but they won’t translate your lyrics or create lyrics in another language.
For Vocal sessions
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Vocalists need 45-minute sessions
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These are not songwriting sessions
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Singers won’t write melodies or lyrics for you
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Recording lead vocals, doubles, and harmonies in a single session is usually not possible: each part may require its own session
Your Music, No Limits
Need help? Contact us to get personalized Support.