Frequently asked questions
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Getting started
What is Track Tutor?
A multitrack audio learning web app for choirs, vocal ensembles, and other musical groups. You upload up to six tracks per song and control the gain on each independently, so members can isolate their part while still hearing the others.
Who is it for?
Choir and chorus directors, music teachers, ensembles, barbershop quartets — anyone who's ever sent four separate MP3 file links to a group chat hoping people would know which one is theirs.
Is this for barbershop choruses specifically?
Track Tutor works for any vocal group with up to six parts — SATB choirs, a cappella groups, gospel quartets, and yes, barbershop choruses. Barbershop happens to be where it was prototyped, which is why the marketing keeps mentioning it, but the app itself doesn't care what genre you sing.
How does it work?
- A manager creates a group and invites members.
- The manager uploads songs, with up to six audio tracks per song.
- Members open a song in the player and adjust each track's volume independently.
- The PRE (pre-dominant) button highlights one part — your track comes up, the others drop back — and toggles off when you're done.
How do I sign in?
Email and password, Google, or Apple.
Is Track Tutor free?
For now, yes. See the Pricing page for the part where we eventually have to admit we have hosting bills.
Audio & playback
What audio formats are supported?
Currently MP3 only.
How many tracks can I upload per song?
Up to six.
How do I prepare audio for a song?
Track Tutor expects each part as its own audio file — it does not extract or separate parts from a stereo or mixed recording. You'll typically produce these by recording each voice separately, or by exporting individual stems from a multitrack session in your DAW. Mono files per track are recommended to keep upload sizes down, but stereo files are accepted too.
How much bandwidth does playing a track use?
Quite a bit more than a regular audio player. Track Tutor downloads each track of a song separately so you can mix them independently, which means a six-track song uses roughly six times the bandwidth of an equivalent stereo recording.
For that reason, we recommend playing on a Wi-Fi connection — unless you have a generous mobile data plan. Once a song is loaded, the audio plays from your browser's memory, so moving the faders, hitting play/pause, scrubbing the timeline, and toggling the PRE button don't trigger any additional downloads. But starting a new song or refreshing the page will re-download all of its tracks.
Can I add lyrics?
Yes — every song has an optional lyrics field, and the player has a Lyrics tab with adjustable font size for singing along.
Where are the audio files stored?
Uploaded tracks live in Google Cloud Storage. Streaming URLs are signed and short-lived, so only authenticated members of a group can play that group's tracks.
Groups & playlists
What's the difference between an open and a private playlist?
Open playlists are visible to every member of the group. Private playlists are visible only to members the manager has explicitly added — useful for section-only rehearsals or work-in-progress sets.
Can voice parts be named Tenor / Lead / Baritone / Bass instead of SATB?
Yes. Voice parts are configured per group, so you can use whatever names match how your ensemble actually thinks about its sections. Playlists can also override the group default, in case casting changes from one piece to the next.
Can a learning track producer upload directly to my group?
Yes. Producers create a Creator profile (after a quick approval), build their library on their own, and share songs with specific groups. Once shared, the songs show up in your group library ready to drop into a playlist — nothing for the manager to download or distribute. Producer pricing and contracts are handled outside the app; Track Tutor handles the distribution piece.
Can I delete a group?
Yes — group owners can delete their group from the group settings page, but only after deleting all songs and playlists from the group. Deleting a group permanently removes its memberships.
The Player app
Is there a mobile app?
Track Tutor Player is a companion app for Android and iOS, focused on the listening side of things. Group managers still do their work from the web app — uploads, playlists, member management — but singers can grab the Player app to access their tracks more conveniently from a phone or tablet.
When will it be available?
Soon. Both apps are wrapping up testing. Watch the Discord for the announcement.
Does the Player app work offline?
Yes — once you've downloaded the songs you need, they're cached locally so they play without a connection. Useful for rehearsal venues with bad Wi-Fi, or when you're on the road.
Will background and lock-screen playback work?
Yes. The Player app keeps audio going with the screen off, surfaces a lock-screen widget with playback controls, and responds to Bluetooth and headphone buttons. Same on Android and iOS.
Support
How do I get help?
Discord — link's in the footer. We watch the channel like a hawk, or at least like a person who refreshes it while their coffee gets cold.