Sterio
What it is
Sterio is an online music collaboration platform where musicians, artists, and producers exchange ideas and develop tracks. Users can post a beat, riff, vocal, or unfinished song, then record a response. Its plugin plays a track’s stems in sync with a DAW, lets users record a new part, and sends that take back to the collaboration. The plugin supports macOS and Windows x64. The macOS installer works with major AU or VST3 DAWs; the Windows download includes VST3. Sterio names Logic, Ableton, FL Studio, Reaper, Studio One, and Cubase as compatible options. The plugin belongs on an instrument or MIDI track, not an audio track. Collaborators can work through audio without sharing a DAW session or using the same DAW. Basic access is free, with no real-time audio collaboration and limited version history. Users can set tracks private or public, control collaborators, and request deletion. Original uploads remain the user’s rights, while Sterio receives a broad collaboration license.
For and against
For
- Free Basic plan
- Asynchronous cross-DAW collaboration
- Stem playback synchronized with DAW transport
- Supports AU and VST3 workflows
- Privacy controls for tracks and collaborators
Against
- No real-time audio collaboration
- Version history is limited
- Plugin cannot load on an audio track
- Account creation requires age 13 or older
The verdict
Sterio links asynchronous collaboration with DAW-based recording through its plugin. It is a free way to exchange parts, though real-time audio and extensive version history are not provided.
Who it suits
Sterio suits musicians, artists, producers, and indie artists seeking asynchronous collaboration. It also fits creators who want to record in an existing compatible DAW.
Plans and prices
Basic
Basic services free of charge
Read 7 Oct 2026 · sterio.fm
On the record
- Account age limit
- The terms say users must be at least 13 years old to create an account.sterio.fm · read 7 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The maker describes Sterio as being for musicians, artists, and producers, including producers who want collaboration through the app and production work in their existing DAW.sterio.fm · read 7 Oct 2026
- Collaboration flow
- Users can browse or post a beat, riff, vocal, or unfinished song, add a musical part, and keep developing the track together.sterio.fm · read 7 Oct 2026
- Cross-DAW collaboration
- The site says collaborators can work through audio without sharing a DAW session or using the same DAW.sterio.fm · read 7 Oct 2026
- Data deletion
- The privacy policy says deleted content is permanently deleted within 30 days of a deletion request, though collaborated content may be retained longer due to collaboration relationships.sterio.fm · read 7 Oct 2026
- Data providers
- The privacy policy names Cloudflare R2 and CDN for file storage and delivery, Google Analytics for usage analytics, and Stripe for payment processing.sterio.fm · read 7 Oct 2026
- DAW compatibility
- The macOS installer supports major DAWs that support AU or VST3; the Windows download includes a VST3 plugin.sterio.fm · read 7 Oct 2026
- DAW plugin
- The plugin plays stems from a Sterio track in sync with a DAW transport so users can record a new part and bring that take back to the collaboration.sterio.fm · read 7 Oct 2026
- Different DAWs
- The homepage says collaborators do not need the same DAW because they collaborate through audio and the plugin plays stems in sync with each user’s DAW.sterio.fm · read 7 Oct 2026
- Free access
- The homepage says users can start collaborating and create a free account for free.sterio.fm · read 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations and providers
- The privacy policy names Cloudflare R2 and CDN for file storage and delivery, Google Analytics for usage analytics, and Stripe for payment processing.sterio.fm · read 7 Oct 2026
- Intended audience
- The site presents Sterio for musicians, artists, producers, and indie artists seeking collaborators.sterio.fm · read 7 Oct 2026
- Named DAWs
- The plugin page names Logic, Ableton, FL Studio, Reaper, Studio One, and Cubase as DAWs users can work in.sterio.fm · read 7 Oct 2026
- Plugin
- The Sterio Plugin plays a track’s stems in sync with a DAW, lets users record a new part, and returns that take to the collaboration.sterio.fm · read 7 Oct 2026
- Plugin compatibility
- The macOS installer supports major DAWs that support AU or VST3; the Windows x64 download contains a VST3 plugin.sterio.fm · read 7 Oct 2026
- Privacy and security
- The privacy policy states that data is encrypted in transit and at rest, and describes access controls, regular audits, and industry-standard cloud security practices.sterio.fm · read 7 Oct 2026
- Privacy controls
- The privacy policy says users can make tracks private or public, control who can collaborate, and request account and data deletion.sterio.fm · read 7 Oct 2026
- Product
- Sterio is an online music collaboration platform where musicians share ideas, add musical contributions, and develop tracks together.sterio.fm · read 7 Oct 2026
