Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about Soundsteps, our features, pricing, and more.
Getting Started
How do I sign up for Soundsteps?
Signing up is simple! Click the "Register" button in the top right corner, enter your email address and create a password. You'll receive a confirmation email to verify your account. You can start using Soundsteps immediately with a 12-hour grace period before email confirmation is required.
Is there a free trial?
Yes! All plans include a 7-day trial. Your card is charged after the trial ends, and you can cancel anytime.
What instruments does Soundsteps support?
Soundsteps works with any musical instrument! Whether you play piano, violin, guitar, flute, or any other instrument, you can track your practice, organize your repertoire, and benefit from our learning science features. The platform is instrument-agnostic and designed for all musicians.
Do I need to record myself?
No, recording is completely optional! While our AI feedback feature requires recordings to analyze your performance, you can use all other Soundsteps features (practice tracking, spaced repetition, planning, statistics) without ever recording yourself.
How do I get started tracking my first practice session?
After logging in, go to "Pieces" and add your first piece. Then click the practice button to start a session. The timer will track your practice time automatically. When done, you can add notes, rate your performance, and save the session. It's that simple!
Can I import my existing repertoire?
Currently, pieces need to be added individually through our interface. However, we're working on bulk import features for the future. You can quickly add pieces with composer information, difficulty level, and custom status tracking.
Features
What is spaced repetition and how does it help me?
Spaced repetition is a learning technique where you review material at increasing intervals over time. For musicians, this means practicing pieces at scientifically optimal times to maximize retention and minimize forgetting. Soundsteps automatically calculates when you should review each piece based on your performance history, helping you maintain your repertoire efficiently.
What's the difference between the SM2 and Soundsteps rating algorithms?
SM2 (SuperMemo 2) is a classic spaced repetition algorithm used for flashcards and language learning. The Soundsteps algorithm is our custom variation designed specifically for musical practice, taking into account factors like piece difficulty, performance quality, and practice consistency. You can choose which algorithm works best for your learning style.
How does the AI feedback feature work?
Our AI feedback analyzes your audio recordings using machine learning to provide insights on tempo consistency, rhythm accuracy, and overall performance quality. You'll receive constructive feedback and specific suggestions for improvement. The AI is trained on music education principles to give helpful, encouraging feedback.
Can I export my practice calendar?
Yes! Soundsteps supports iCal export, allowing you to sync your practice schedule with Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Outlook, or any other calendar application that supports the iCal format. This helps integrate your practice into your daily routine.
What is interleaved practice?
Interleaved practice is a technique where you mix different pieces or skills within a practice session, rather than focusing on one piece for an extended period (blocked practice). Research shows this leads to better long-term retention and skill transfer. Soundsteps helps you create interleaved playlists automatically.
How do playlists work?
Playlists let you organize groups of pieces for focused practice sessions. You can create custom playlists, schedule them for specific days or weekdays, and even generate algorithmic playlists based on what's due for review. This helps structure your practice efficiently.
Can I track practice for multiple instruments?
Absolutely! You can organize your pieces by instrument, composer, genre, or any custom categories you create. The platform supports managing repertoire across multiple instruments simultaneously.
What statistics and insights do I get?
Soundsteps provides detailed practice analytics including: total practice time by day/week/month, most practiced pieces, practice streaks, progress charts, piece mastery levels, and upcoming review schedules. All data is presented in easy-to-read visualizations.
Does Soundsteps work for music teachers and students?
Yes! Teachers can use Soundsteps to demonstrate best practices and recommend it to students. We're currently developing enhanced features for teacher accounts to monitor student progress and assign repertoire. Check our "For Teachers" page for more information.
Account & Billing
What are the different pricing tiers?
Soundsteps offers three tiers:
Regular: Core practice tracking, unlimited pieces, basic statistics
Pro: AI feedback, advanced analytics, playlist generation, iCal export
Pro+: Priority AI analysis, unlimited recordings, advanced interleaved practice algorithms
See the pricing section for current prices in your currency.
How do I upgrade or downgrade my plan?
You can change your plan anytime from your Settings page. Upgrades take effect immediately. If you downgrade, you'll continue to have access to Pro features until the end of your current billing cycle, then your account will switch to the lower tier.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes! There are no long-term contracts or commitments. You can cancel your subscription at any time from your Settings page. You'll retain access until the end of your current billing period.
Do you offer student or teacher discounts?
We're working on implementing student and educator discounts. Please contact us at contact@soundsteps.eu with proof of enrollment or teaching status to inquire about special pricing.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit and debit cards through our secure payment processor Paddle. We're working on adding PayPal and other payment options in the future.
Is billing monthly or annual?
We offer both monthly and annual billing. Annual plans include a discounted rate.
What happens to my data if I cancel?
Your practice data, pieces, and session history are never deleted when you cancel. Your subscription ends at the close of the billing period, and you can re-subscribe anytime to regain access.
Technical
What browsers are supported?
Soundsteps works on all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. For the best experience, we recommend using the latest version of your preferred browser. The audio recording feature requires browsers that support the Web Audio API.
Can I use Soundsteps offline?
Currently, Soundsteps requires an internet connection to function. We're exploring offline capabilities for future releases, which would allow you to track practice sessions offline and sync when you're back online.
Is there a mobile app?
While we don't have native iOS or Android apps yet, Soundsteps is fully responsive and works great on mobile browsers. You can access all features from your phone or tablet. Native apps are on our roadmap for future development.
How do I record audio?
Go to the Recorder page, grant microphone permissions when prompted, and click the record button. You can pause/resume recording and preview before saving. Your browser must support the Web Audio API. For best quality, use an external microphone if possible.
What audio formats are supported?
Soundsteps supports MP3, WAV, and OGG audio formats. Recordings are typically saved as MP3 for efficient storage. If you're uploading existing recordings (Pro+ feature), make sure they're in one of these formats.
How much storage do I get for recordings?
Regular users get limited recording storage. Pro users get 2GB of storage, and Pro+ users get unlimited recording storage. Audio files are compressed efficiently, so even 2GB can store hundreds of recordings.
Privacy & Security
How is my data stored?
All your data is stored securely on encrypted servers. We use industry-standard security practices including SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission, encrypted database storage, and regular security audits. Your practice data is backed up daily.
Who can see my recordings and practice data?
Your recordings and practice data are completely private by default. Only you can access your data. We do not share, sell, or provide access to your information to third parties. AI feedback is processed securely, and recordings are never used for purposes other than generating your personal feedback.
Can I delete my account?
Yes, you can permanently delete your account and all associated data from the Settings page. This action is irreversible—all your pieces, sessions, recordings, and progress data will be permanently deleted. We recommend exporting any data you want to keep before deletion.
Do you use my data to train AI models?
No. Your recordings and practice data are never used to train machine learning models or shared with AI providers. When you request AI feedback, your recording is processed by our AI partner (OpenAI) but is not retained or used for model training.
Is Soundsteps GDPR compliant?
Yes, Soundsteps is fully compliant with GDPR regulations. You have the right to access, export, modify, or delete your personal data at any time. We only collect data necessary for the service to function, and we're transparent about how it's used.
Still have questions?
We're here to help! Reach out to our support team.
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