SONGTAKE

SONGTAKE is an iOS and macOS app for capturing musical ideas and developing band recordings into demos. It suits musicians who want audio and video takes organized in one place, especially when collaborators record from separate phones. Its focus is recording and arranging performances, with AI stem separation and DAW export extending the workflow beyond a quick voice memo.

Overview

The app offers two recording approaches: Ideas mode saves compressed video clips for quick capture, while Demos mode starts recording on multiple phones and syncs their recordings automatically. That makes SONGTAKE relevant both when a single musician wants to preserve an idea and when a band wants to collect a take from several devices.

Projects can grow through video overdubs and multitrack recording over existing ideas. Bandmates can contribute remotely, and existing audio or video can be imported. SONGTAKE also says recordings can be exported as AAF for opening in any DAW, giving users a route from collaborative capture into a broader production workflow.

Key features

Capture, sync and build

Compressed video capture favors quick documentation over keeping every clip at full resolution. For band takes, starting several phones together and syncing the recordings can help gather performances without relying on one device for every angle or part. Users can then add video overdubs and build multitrack demos over an idea.

AI stems and export

AI stem splitting separates vocals, drums and bass, which can help users work with those parts individually. AAF export is useful for musicians who want to move a project into a DAW after developing it in SONGTAKE. The app does not include lyric, chord or melody tools, so song development here centers on recorded performances rather than writing aids.

Offline recording and data protection

The free plan supports offline recording; local data syncs to servers when an internet connection becomes available. The privacy policy says stored data is encrypted with AES-256 and SSL/TLS protects data in transit. Email support aims to respond within 24 hours, and users can also ask for help through App Store reviews.

Pricing

SONGTAKE has a free plan and two paid monthly plans. The free tier includes 250MB of storage, up to 16 tracks per song, offline recording and basic export. A referral bonus can raise storage by up to 2GB. That is a practical way to try the recording workflow, though the small base allowance may constrain users who keep many video projects.

Studio Access costs $7.49 a month, billed $7.49/mo. It raises storage to 1TB while retaining the 16-track-per-song limit and offline mode. It adds band storage sharing, pro export templates and 4K video. This is the most direct upgrade for a band that needs room to share projects and wants higher-resolution video, but it does not increase the track cap.

Patrons costs $11.99 a month, billed $11.99/mo. It includes Studio Access features and 1.5TB of storage, plus feature voting, Patron export templates, credits and custom app icons. It fits users who value those added benefits and extra storage; for recording capacity, it still specifies 16 tracks per song.

Platforms

SONGTAKE is available on iOS and macOS. That suits Apple users who want to record on phones and work across the app’s supported devices, but it rules out musicians who need Android, Windows or web access.

Who it's for

SONGTAKE is best suited to musicians capturing song ideas, recording band takes and shaping demos with remote contributions. The combination of synchronized phone recording, video overdubs, offline mode and DAW export gives it a clear role between first capture and later production. It is less suitable for writers looking for lyric, chord or melody assistance, or for teams that need more than 16 tracks per song.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Ideas and Demos modes cover quick capture and coordinated multi-phone recording.
• Pros: Remote overdubs, imports and AAF export support a path from shared takes to DAW work.
• Pros: Free offline recording and 16 tracks per song make it possible to develop a demo before paying.
• Cons: Free storage starts at 250MB, a tight allowance for projects containing video.
• Cons: Every listed plan retains a 16-track-per-song limit, including the higher-priced Patrons tier.
• Cons: iOS and macOS support leaves Android, Windows and web users without a listed platform.
• Cons: Lyric, chord and melody tools are absent, so songwriting assistance must come from elsewhere.

Alternatives

For songwriting software, browse the Songwriting Software directory.

• Song Cage is a better fit for writers seeking chord palettes, voicings, modulation and word tools, with a free web app for one song and broader platform support.
• Songwriter's Pad suits lyric-focused writers who want AI word generation; its free plan allows 750 AI word tokens and up to three songs.
• SundayMusic is an option for users who want browser access or a one-off Apple app purchase rather than SONGTAKE’s monthly recording plans.
• Suno is an alternative for people seeking AI music generation, with a free plan offering 50 credits per day and an eight-minute audio upload limit.
• Topline is a free iOS and Android option for personal, non-commercial use.
• Udio offers an alternative centered on AI song generation, with a free tier of 10 daily and 100 monthly credits.
• Zoundroom is a cross-platform alternative for project-based recording and sharing, with a free plan capped at two active projects and sharing with up to two artists.
• Boomy is a web-based alternative for creating songs, with a free tier capped at 25 saves and no downloads or commercial use.

Verdict

Choose SONGTAKE if you want to capture performances with audio and video, collect band takes across phones and develop demos through overdubs and remote collaboration. Its free offline recording and 16-track capacity make it approachable, while paid plans add substantial storage and useful export and video options. Look elsewhere if you need more than 16 tracks per song, songwriting tools, or access beyond iOS and macOS.