Guide · Demos
How to keep every take of a song in one place
Give each song one name, keep every take under it in the order you made them, and note what changed in each. You can do it with folders and file names, or with an app that stacks takes on one card, as songdrafts does.
Updated 25 Oct 2026
By hand
- One folder per song, named for the song, not the date.
- Number the takes in the file name: "Song name, take 3".
- Add a note on what changed: new bridge, lower key.
- Mark the keeper so you know which one to send.
Why it gets hard
A folder per song works until you have fifty songs and a camera roll of recordings. See how to organize music files.
Pick the best take
Listen back to back, with fresh ears, and keep notes. See how to pick the best take.
With songdrafts
In songdrafts every take of a song stacks on one card, in the order you add them, with the lyrics, key and tempo on the same song. You can leave a comment pinned to the exact second of a take and share one take as a link. See every take on one card.
Common questions
How do I keep different versions of a song?
Keep every version under one song name, in order, with a short note on what changed.
How many takes should I keep?
Keep them all while you are writing. Storage is cheap, and the first take is often the one with the feeling.
Can I compare two takes of a song?
Yes. Listen back to back and note what you prefer in each.
Does songdrafts keep my old takes?
Takes stay on the song card until you remove them.
Want this done for you? songdrafts is a board for your voice memos: every take stacked on one card, songs that move across stages, merging half songs, and one share link with comments pinned to the second. Works offline, and nothing you upload trains AI. What is songdrafts?