Agreement
These terms apply to the Sum & Difference website and services. By purchasing a service, approving a project scope, or submitting files for paid work, you agree to these terms and any written project-specific scope provided to you. If a written quote or agreement conflicts with these general terms, the project-specific agreement controls for that project.
Contact hello@sumanddifference.com before purchasing if any term is unclear.
Services and scope
Second Listen
Second Listen is an objective mix diagnostic. The written option includes a written report, timestamped observations, prioritized recommendations, a translation assessment, and one clarification round. The video option also includes a personalized walkthrough. It does not include mixing, mastering, editing, tuning, production, stem revisions, or changes to your session.
The listed price covers one song up to 15 minutes. The preferred submission format is a 24-bit WAV at 44.1–96 kHz. Delivery is generally expected within 3–5 business days after payment and receipt of a complete submission.
Online Mixing
Online Mixing projects are reviewed before acceptance. The $249 base price covers one song up to 32 tracks, basic cleanup, a complete mix, two revision rounds, and the listed final formats. Basic cleanup means removal of unintended non-musical noise, clicks, pops, and similar distractions where reasonably practical.
Track counts above 32, extensive editing, drum replacement, substantial vocal tuning, arrangement or production work, performance tracks, rush delivery, and unusual deliverables require a separate quote. Mastering is not included unless specifically stated in writing.
Digital products
Shop products are sold and delivered through Etsy. The applicable Etsy listing, shop policy, checkout terms, and mandatory consumer protections also apply to those transactions.
Payment and scheduling
Prices are stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted. Applicable taxes or platform charges may be calculated by Square or Etsy.
Second Listen requires payment before the review begins. Online Mixing clients should not pay until the project has been reviewed and accepted. Accepted Online Mixing projects receive a confirmed scope, final price, Square payment link, file-preparation instructions, and available schedule. Full payment and receipt of complete files are required before the project enters the mixing schedule.
Turnaround estimates begin only after payment and all required files and information have been received successfully. Estimates are not guaranteed delivery dates unless a specific deadline is accepted in writing.
Cancellations and refunds
Second Listen
If cancellation is requested before review work begins, the payment will be refunded in full. Once the review has begun, refunds are generally unavailable. If the delivered service does not match the agreed scope, contact Sum & Difference so the concern can be reviewed and a reasonable resolution attempted.
Online Mixing
If cancellation is requested before work begins, the payment will be refunded in full. After file preparation, editing, mixing, or other project work has begun, completed work and time already used are nonrefundable. Any refund for an unperformed portion of the project will be considered according to the work completed, schedule reserved, and circumstances.
If Sum & Difference is unable to complete an accepted project, payment for unperformed work will be refunded. Approved refunds are returned through the original payment method when practical and may take additional processing time to appear.
Digital products
Because digital products are available for download, refunds are generally not offered after files have been accessed or downloaded, except for technical problems, accidental duplicate purchases, a materially incorrect listing, or where required by law. Etsy's processes and applicable consumer law control Etsy transactions.
Revisions, feedback, and delivery
An Online Mixing revision round is one consolidated set of clear mix notes submitted after a mix delivery. Two rounds are included. Additional rounds, new creative direction, replacement recordings, new stems, or requests outside the accepted scope may require additional payment and scheduling.
Clients should review mixes at a consistent playback level and provide consolidated feedback within a reasonable period. If no response is received for 30 days, the project may be treated as inactive and any resumed work may need to be rescheduled.
Final deliverables are supplied after approval and completion of all payments. Alternate versions are included only when listed or agreed in writing.
Files, ownership, and confidentiality
You retain ownership of your recordings, compositions, performances, and project materials. You confirm that you own or have permission to use and submit every file, recording, sample, reference, image, and other material provided to Sum & Difference.
After full payment, you may use the final delivered mix for the project without an additional Sum & Difference usage fee. Sum & Difference retains its general methods, workflows, templates, know-how, and pre-existing materials.
Diagnostic reports may be shared with collaborators working on the project, but may not be resold or republished as a standalone product. Digital products are licensed to the purchaser for personal or internal project use unless a listing says otherwise; they may not be redistributed, resold, or uploaded for public download.
Client audio and project materials will not be publicly displayed, used in a portfolio, or used for promotion without written permission. Online Mixing project files are generally archived for 90 days after final approval and may then be permanently deleted. You are responsible for maintaining permanent backups of all source and delivered files.
Client responsibilities and service limitations
You are responsible for supplying complete, organized, correctly labeled files; accurate project information; working private links; timely feedback; and backups. Delays or additional work caused by missing, corrupted, changed, or incorrectly prepared files may affect the schedule or price.
Creative audio work involves judgment. Sum & Difference will perform services with reasonable professional care, but cannot guarantee commercial performance, audience response, streaming results, playlist placement, mastering acceptance, or that every listener will share the same preference.
Third-party services—including Square, Etsy, Formspree, email, cloud storage, and file-transfer platforms—operate under their own terms. Sum & Difference is not responsible for outages, account restrictions, or losses caused solely by those providers, though reasonable assistance will be offered when a problem affects a project.
To the extent permitted by law, Sum & Difference is not liable for indirect, incidental, special, or consequential losses. Any direct liability relating to a paid service will not exceed the amount paid for that service. Nothing in these terms limits rights or remedies that cannot legally be limited.
Changes and contact
These terms may be updated as services or legal requirements change. The terms in effect when a service is purchased or a project scope is accepted will apply unless a change is required by law or agreed in writing.
Questions, cancellation requests, and service concerns should be sent to hello@sumanddifference.com.