# File sharing for musicians and producers

Stems and masters are uncompressed audio, and chat apps or social platforms re-encode them. Unreleased tracks also need to stay unreleased.

_Source: https://sharelargefilesfree.com/file-sharing-for-musicians-and-producers · Updated 2026-10-13_

**Quick answer:** A song's stems at 24-bit 48 kHz are about 17 MB per minute each, so a 4-minute song with 10 stems is about 700 MB. Upload them to Share Large Video Files (up to 20 GB) and they arrive bit-for-bit. For unreleased tracks, send view-only links so press and labels can listen with a watermark but not download; for session musicians, a file request collects their parts.

## Files musicians and producers send, and how big they get

| File | Format | Typical size |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Stereo WAV, 16-bit 44.1 kHz | WAV | about 10.6 MB per minute |
| Stereo WAV, 24-bit 48 kHz | WAV | about 17 MB per minute |
| Stereo WAV, 24-bit 96 kHz master | WAV | about 35 MB per minute |
| 10 stems, 4 min, 24-bit 48 kHz stereo | WAV in a ZIP | about 690 MB |
| Lossless album | FLAC | about 300 to 500 MB |
| DAW project with audio and samples | Logic, Ableton, Pro Tools folder | 1 to 20 GB |

Uncompressed audio size = sample rate × bytes per sample × channels. For 24-bit 48 kHz stereo: 48,000 × 3 × 2 = 288,000 bytes a second, or about 17 MB a minute.

## Can it go by email or chat?

Can you send 10 stems of a 4-minute song (about 660 MB) as an attachment?

| App | Limit | Fits? |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gmail | 25 MB per email | No, send a link |
| Outlook.com | 20 to 25 MB per email | No, send a link |
| WhatsApp (document) | 2 GB per file | Yes |
| Telegram | 2 GB per file | Yes |
| Facebook Messenger | 100 MB per file | No, send a link |
| Discord (free) | 20 MB per file | No, send a link |
| Slack | 1 GB per file | Yes |
| WeTransfer (free) | 3 GB per transfer | Yes |
| **Share Large Video Files** | 20 GB per transfer | Send the link anywhere |

Limits from our [file size limits by app](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/file-size-limits-by-app) table, checked against each service's help pages.

## A workflow that works

1. **Stems for mixing:** export all stems from bar 1 at the session sample rate, name them clearly, zip the folder and [upload](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/) it.
2. **Collecting parts:** create a **Request files** link and send it to session players; their WAVs arrive with you, untouched.
3. **Unreleased previews:** upload the master, tick **View only (no downloads)** and set **Who can open the link** to confirmed emails. The track plays in the browser with the listener's email watermarked over the player.
4. **Fan downloads:** use the **Collect emails** or **Creator giveaway** preset to ask for a name and email before the download.

## Recommended options

| Option (under More options) | Setting | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| View only (no downloads) | On for unreleased tracks | Listen in the browser; no file to rip from the page |
| Who can open the link | Anyone who confirms their email | Every play is tied to a person |
| Download limits: per person | 1 (promo copies) | Fewer spare copies around |
| Ask for details before the files open | Name and email (fan downloads) | Build your mailing list |
| Available from | Release date and time | The download opens exactly on release |

Set these once, press **Save current** next to **Preset**, and reuse the same options for every release with one tap.

## Feedback on a mix

On the download page an MP3, WAV, M4A, FLAC or OGG plays with a waveform, and listeners can leave comments at an exact time (“vocal too loud at 1:42”), so notes on a mix arrive pinned to the right moment. The download is still the untouched original.

## Why not send stems as MP3 or through chat?

MP3 and AAC throw away audio data; mixing from them adds artefacts. WhatsApp and Instagram re-encode audio and video. Send WAV or AIFF at the session's sample rate and bit depth, or FLAC if the recipient accepts it (lossless and about half the size).

## Frequently asked questions

### How big are stems?

About 17 MB per minute per stereo stem at 24-bit 48 kHz. Ten stems of a 4-minute song come to about 690 MB.

### Will my WAV files be compressed?

No. They download exactly as uploaded, sample for sample.

### Can I let a label listen without downloading?

Yes. View only lets them play the track in the browser with their email watermarked; there is no download button.

### How do I collect parts from session musicians?

Create a file request and send them the link. They upload their WAVs without an account.