studionotes.app

What It Is

StudioNotes is a music project organization app for songwriters, artists, producers, and recording engineers. It is not a DAW, nor does it try to replace creative tools. Instead, it centralizes songs, recordings, releases, contacts, splits, registrations, agreements, and attachments, helping creators quickly find information even as their catalog grows.

Core Features and Workflow

The product is built around four main objects: Songs, Recordings, Releases, and Contacts. Songs can store lyrics, structure, writers, splits, and publishing information; recordings can manage versions, contributors, and production details; releases can keep artwork, distribution, and metadata; and contacts can be linked to specific projects. Version 2.0 improves file attachments, allowing mixes, masters, demos, agreements, artwork, PDFs, videos, and more to be attached directly to projects. The built-in audio player supports in-app listening, looping sections, and jumping to markers, and integrates with system audio controls, CarPlay, and AirPlay. Search and filtering are also strong, with support for searching by title, lyrics, collaborators, notes, tempo range, keywords, and genre.

Pricing, Collaboration, and Security

StudioNotes uses a freemium model. The free version allows up to 10 total song/recording/release entries. After that limit is reached, users can still view, export, and print lyric sheets, but creating and editing entries requires a Pro subscription. Pro unlocks unlimited entries and attachments, playback, filtering, and other advanced features, though the source text does not disclose specific pricing. Collaboration is relatively limited: there is currently no real-time collaboration or shared project workspace, only the ability to export PDF or StudioNotes document snapshots for others to view or import. Data security is a highlight: content is stored on the local device and in the user’s personal iCloud, and the company states that it does not access user content or upload it to external servers.

Pros, Cons, and Who It’s For

Its strengths lie in an information structure that closely matches music industry workflows, making it especially useful for managing copyright splits, registration numbers, links, agreements, and release materials. It syncs across Apple devices, works offline, and users do not lose access if their subscription expires. The downsides are that it only supports iPhone, iPad, and Mac, with no Windows, Android, or Web support; it lacks team permissions and real-time collaboration; and iCloud sync is not a full versioned backup, so accidental deletion lacks built-in rollback.

Access in China and Alternatives

The source text does not provide details on access from China. Because the product depends on the App Store and iCloud, users in mainland China should carefully verify Apple ID region availability, iCloud access, subscription payment methods, and sync stability. If cross-platform access or multi-user collaboration is required, alternatives include Notion, Airtable, Google Sheets, Apple Notes, or more specialized music rights/catalog management systems. Overall, StudioNotes is best suited to independent musicians and small creative teams deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem.