Waves vs Dropbox
Dropbox stores your stems. Waves lets you hear them.
A shared folder is fine for backups, but it makes collaborators download, import and line up every file before they hear a note. Waves plays the whole session in the browser.
- Old bounces--
- Drums_v3_FINAL.wavSep 12, 2026
- Bass.wavAug 29, 2026
- Keys_v2.aiffSep 3, 2026
- Lead vocal (comp) v4.wavSep 14, 2026
Preview plays one file at a time. To hear the song, download every stem and line them up in a DAW.
Midnight Drive
Nova Collective · 4 stems
1:21 / 3:34
Download allDrums
wavDrums · 3:34
48 kHz · 24-bit · Stereo
Bass
wavBass · 3:34
48 kHz · 24-bit · Mono
Keys
aiffKeys · 3:34
48 kHz · 24-bit · Stereo
Lead vocal
wavVocals · 3:34
48 kHz · 24-bit · Mono
In Dropbox
- Old bounces--
- Drums_v3_FINAL.wavSep 12, 2026
- Bass.wavAug 29, 2026
- Keys_v2.aiffSep 3, 2026
- Lead vocal (comp) v4.wavSep 14, 2026
Preview plays one file at a time. To hear the song, download every stem and line them up in a DAW.
In Waves
Midnight Drive
Nova Collective · 4 stems
1:21 / 3:34
Download allDrums
wavDrums · 3:34
48 kHz · 24-bit · Stereo
Bass
wavBass · 3:34
48 kHz · 24-bit · Mono
Keys
aiffKeys · 3:34
48 kHz · 24-bit · Stereo
Lead vocal
wavVocals · 3:34
48 kHz · 24-bit · Mono
The shared-folder workflow
Built for sessions, not just files
With Dropbox
Download six WAVs, open a DAW, line them up, press play.
Hear the session instantly
Open the link and every stem plays in sync. Mute, solo, and scrub in the browser.
With Dropbox
"The snare at around 1:40 feels loud" in a text thread nobody can find.
Feedback on the waveform
Comments pin to the exact moment, with replies and @mentions that notify the right person.
With Dropbox
Bass_v3_final_FINAL.wav, Bass_v4_USE_THIS.wav, and a folder called "old".
One source of truth
Upload a new take and Waves keeps the versions for you. The master sits beside its stems.
Side by side
How Waves and Dropbox compare
Dropbox is a general-purpose file store. Waves is built for the way producers actually pass songs back and forth.
| Feature | Dropbox | Waves |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | ||
| Play every stem together, in syncHear the full session without opening a DAW. | Not included | Included |
| Mute and solo individual partsDrop the vocal or isolate the bass while it plays. | Not included | Included |
| Preview a single audio fileStream one file in the browser. | Included | Included |
| Key, BPM and time signature detectedSession details are filled in on upload. | Not included | Included |
| Collaboration | ||
| Time-stamped comments on the trackNotes pinned to the exact moment in the song. | Partial or requires workarounds | Included |
| Threads and @mentionsReply to notes and pull in the right collaborator. | Partial or requires workarounds | Included |
| Collaborators upload their own stemsNew parts land in the same session, not a new folder. | Partial or requires workarounds | Included |
| Stem versions kept automaticallyNo more Bass_v3_final_FINAL.wav. | Partial or requires workarounds | Included |
| Sharing | ||
| Password-protected share linksListeners stream in the browser, no account needed. | Included | Included |
| Listener insights per linkSee who played the track, and for how long. | Partial or requires workarounds | Included |
| Masters next to the multitrackThe final master lives beside its stems. | Not included | Included |
| Storage | ||
| Desktop sync for every file typeBack up your whole computer, not just audio. | Included | Not included |
Included Partial, add-on, or manual workaround Not included
Use both
Keep Dropbox for backups. Use Waves for the music.
You don't have to rip anything out. Leave your archive where it is and move the songs you're working on into Waves, where collaborators can hear them.
Dropbox
Computer backups, sample libraries, old project archives, and non-audio files.
Waves
Active songs, stems in review, masters for clients, and links you send to collaborators.
FAQ
Switching from Dropbox
Should I cancel Dropbox?
Not necessarily. Dropbox is great for backing up your whole computer. Most producers keep it for archives and use Waves for the songs they are actively working on and sharing.
How do I move my stems over?
Drag a folder of stems from your computer, or from your synced Dropbox folder, into a Waves project. Waves builds the track from the files and lines up every stem automatically.
Do the people I share with need a Waves account?
No. Anyone with the link, and the password if you set one, can listen in the browser. Collaborators only need a free account to upload stems or leave comments.
Is my audio compressed?
No. Files play at the quality you uploaded, including WAV, AIFF and FLAC.
What does Waves cost?
Free includes 1 GB and 10 projects. Pro is $12.99 a month for unlimited projects, stems and collaborators, and starts with a 14-day free trial.
Send a session, not a folder
Drop in your stems and share a link your collaborators can play in seconds.
Get started for free