Any artist, whether upcoming or established, has to handle admin tasks like sending demos, features, or snippets to producers, collaborators, and others. But it would be a shame to do that in a way that puts your work at risk. If you haven’t thought about secure music sharing before, we’ve got a guide to help you.
The Risks of Sharing Files Without Protection
For musicians and artists, sharing their work is part of the process, but doing it online opens the door to some serious risks. Without proper protection, file sharing can lead to things like stolen music, damaged reputations, and even legal headaches.
One of the most common dangers is copyright infringement. If you upload your music without securing it properly, it’s all too easy for someone to grab it and use it without your permission. For one, this hurts your wallet, but it also undermines your creative rights.
Then, there’s the risk of losing or having your intellectual property stolen. It could be a track, lyrics, or album artwork — anything you create has value, and if it’s not protected, it could disappear without a trace.
If you’re using cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox to share your work, double-check your settings. Weak permissions can end up sharing more than you bargained for — like rough drafts or private files you didn’t intend to send out. In a minute, we’ll talk more about better tools for secure music sharing.
The Rise of Stolen Music Before Release
Stealing music before it’s officially released has become a major issue. As artists and labels get ready to drop new albums, leaks are happening more often, usually due to hacking or inside sources. Because of unsecured digital platforms and file-sharing tools, it’s easier than ever for music to get out early.
There have been some high-profile leaks in the past decade. In 2016, Kanye West’s The Life of Pablo was leaked weeks before its official release and threw off his plans. In 2019, Lil Uzi Vert’s Eternal Atake was stolen and spread online months before it was supposed to come out. Lady Gaga faced a leak of her album Joanne in 2017, which impacted its sales, and the list goes on.
These hacks hurt an artist's income and spoil the excitement of an album release. Fans got access to songs early, which lowered the hype and took away the artist’s control over when and how the music was shared.
Read also: Concerned About Music Piracy & Leaks? Secure Music Sharing Could Have Your Back
Best Audio-Sharing Platforms
If you’re looking to share audio, there are a few good ones out there:
Highnote
Highnote is a fresh option making waves for musicians and audio creators. It is built by a team with experience at Splice, Squarespace, and Songtrust. Highnote focuses on what musicians actually need — real-time collaboration, detailed audio annotations, and helpful features like polls and version tracking. You can even link Spotify playlists or SoundCloud files to keep everything connected.
It’s free for now, with paid plans in the pipeline, so it’s worth exploring if you’re looking for a smarter way to manage your audio projects.
What stands out:
- Real-time comments and reactions
- Version control for tracks
- Free to use (paid tiers coming soon)
Drawbacks:
- No mobile app yet
- Can be slow with high-res files
Bounce Boss
If Highnote is the fresh contender, Bounce Boss is the steady, reliable option for audio professionals. It is designed to simplify your workflow and keeps everything — from files to feedback — in one place. Level-matched playback lets you compare track versions effortlessly, and exporting entire projects is as simple as one click.
At £4 a month, it’s reasonably priced, although it doesn’t have the same interactive features as some newer platforms.
What stands out:
- All files and versions in one secure spot
- Level-matched playback for comparisons
- Affordable at £4/month
Drawbacks:
- No real-time feedback
- Limited annotation options
Byta
Byta’s main point is secure sharing, and it became a great option for labels and artists dealing with pre-releases or work-in-progress tracks. It’s simple to use and prioritizes security to prevent leaks. The embeddable player and smart attachments are recent updates that help you share music more professionally, and also, the platform lets you include Spotify or Google Drive links with your audio files.
Just know that it’s not designed for collaborative feedback.
What stands out:
- Strong security features
- Attach links to related assets
- Free to use
Drawbacks:
- Limited tools for collaboration
- No time-stamped feedback
SoundCloud
SoundCloud is pretty popular, and it’s more than just a streaming platform for finished tracks. You can share audio files privately, though the options aren’t as robust as some other platforms for serious collaborations. What really makes SoundCloud unique is the community vibe and things like fan-powered royalties, which give artists a fairer deal compared to a lot of competitors.
It’s not the best option for features like annotations or version control, but if you’re already part of its ecosystem, it’s an easy and familiar way to share your work.
What stands out:
- Widely trusted by musicians
- Fan-powered royalties for fairer payments
- Private sharing options
Drawbacks:
- No tools for detailed feedback
- More suited for sharing than production workflows
What to Avoid When Sharing Files Online
With the tools all clear, let’s talk about actions that could expose your music or intellectual property to risk (and reiterate some things). Here are a few things you should steer clear of:
- Don’t use email for sensitive files — Email isn’t the most secure option for sending important files. Without encryption, emails can easily be intercepted and leave your creative work vulnerable.
- Don’t rely on basic cloud storage — If you use platforms like Google Drive or Dropbox without adjusting the privacy settings, someone might access your files without permission.
- Don’t share files through unencrypted messaging apps — Apps like WhatsApp or SMS seem easy for sharing files, but they don’t protect your files well.
- Don’t share without protection or watermarking — If you’re sharing unfinished music or unreleased tracks, think about watermarking them or using similar security measures to protect your work.
- Don’t use weak passwords — Always set strong, unique passwords for your file-sharing accounts, and avoid reusing passwords across different platforms.
- Don’t overlook software updates — Regularly update your file-sharing apps and devices to guarantee they’re protected with the latest security patches and features.
What’s the Best Audio File Format for Security?
The “safest” option depends on what you’re aiming to protect. For secure sharing and storage, the format itself isn’t the main concern because it’s more about how you manage the file’s security. No matter if you’re using MP3, WAV, or FLAC, all formats can be shared securely if you take the right precautions.
Is It Worth Encrypting Files Yourself Before Sending?
Encrypting your files before sending them is an extra but also a smart move, especially when you’re sharing sensitive or unreleased tracks. Some artists really need that extra layer of protection so that even if someone intercepts the files, they won’t be able to access anything without the decryption key.
Many secure platforms already have built-in protections, but maybe you want more control over the security. You can use tools like 7-Zip (for Windows) or Keka (for Mac).
Using 7-Zip (Windows):
- Right-click the file you want to encrypt and select 7-Zip > Add to archive.
- In the archive settings, choose the .zip format.
- Set a strong password in the Encryption section.
- Select AES-256 for encryption strength.
- Click OK to create the encrypted archive file.
Using Keka (Mac):
- Drag the file into Keka’s window.
- Enter a password in the settings before creating the encrypted archive.
- Choose AES-256 for encryption.
- Click Compress to create the encrypted file.
Then, you send the file over your chosen channels as usual.
Takeaway
Overall, if you’re looking for a community-driven platform, SoundCloud works well for basic sharing. For more professional features like annotations, version control, and secure sharing, Highnote and Bounce Boss are stronger contenders. Byta is a great choice for the secure sharing of pre-releases.
And remember the basic dos and don’ts to keep your files protected!
