Adding Timestamped Comments

Learn how to add precise feedback at exact moments in your audio tracks using Feedtracks’ timestamped commenting system.

What are timestamped comments?

Timestamped comments are feedback markers attached to specific moments in your audio tracks. They appear directly on the waveform, making it easy to give and receive precise feedback without vague time references like “around 2 minutes in.”

Opening a track

To add comments to a track, you first need to open it in the track detail view.

1. Navigate to your drive or playlist from the sidebar
2. Click on the track you want to comment on
3. The track detail page will open with the waveform player at the top

The track detail view with waveform player ready for comments

Adding a text comment

Text comments are the most common way to provide feedback. Here’s how to add one:

Step 1: Navigate to the timestamp

Play the track or manually scrub to the exact moment where you want to add feedback:

• Playing: Click the play button and let the track play to your desired moment
• Scrubbing: Click and drag the playhead (the vertical line) along the waveform
• Keyboard: Use spacebar to play/pause, arrow keys to skip forward/backward

Step 2: Open the comment form

Once you’re at the right timestamp, open the comment form:

• Mouse: Click directly on the waveform at that moment
• Keyboard: Press C (shortcut for “comment”)
• Button: Click the “Add Comment” button below the waveform

A comment form will appear below the waveform, already positioned at your selected timestamp.

The comment form appears at your selected timestamp

Step 3: Write your feedback

In the text field, type your comment. You can:

• Write plain text: Just type your feedback naturally
• Format with markdown: Use **bold**, *italic*, or [links](url)
• Add @mentions: Type @ followed by a name to notify collaborators
• Multi-line comments: Press Enter to add line breaks

Step 4: Submit your comment

When you’re done writing:

• Click “Post Comment” button
• Or press Cmd+Enter (Mac) / Ctrl+Enter (Windows)

Your comment will appear on the waveform as a marker. Click any marker to see its comment and replies.

Comment markers appear as bubbles on the waveform

Adding an audio comment

For detailed production feedback or when typing isn’t enough, you can record voice comments directly on the waveform.

Step 1: Open comment form and switch to audio mode

1. Navigate to your desired timestamp (same as text comments)
2. Open the comment form
3. Toggle to audio mode using the microphone icon in the comment form

Step 2: Record your feedback

1. Click the “Record” button - You’ll see a recording interface with:
   • Real-time waveform visualization
   • Timer showing recording time (max 2 minutes)
   • Pause/resume controls
2. Speak your feedback while the timer runs
3. Click “Stop” when finished

Step 3: Review and submit

Before submitting:

• Play back your recording using the inline player
• Re-record if needed by clicking “Record Again”
• Click “Post Comment” to submit

Audio comments appear with a microphone icon, and collaborators can play them back with inline controls.

Recording an audio comment with real-time visualization

Using @mentions

Notify specific collaborators by mentioning them in your comments.

How to mention someone

1. In the comment text field, type @
2. An autocomplete dropdown appears showing:
   • All collaborators with access to the track
   • Their names and profile photos
3. Type to filter the list or click a name to select
4. The mention is inserted as @John Doe (highlighted in blue)
5. Submit your comment

What happens when you mention someone

• They receive a notification (email + in-app)
• Clicking the notification takes them directly to your comment
• They can reply immediately in the thread

Autocomplete helps you find the right collaborator

Replying to comments

Comments support threaded conversations. To reply:

1. Click on a comment marker on the waveform, or scroll to find it in the comments list
2. The comment expands to show the full thread
3. Click “Reply” below the comment
4. A reply form appears (same as regular comment form)
5. Type your reply and submit

Replies are nested under the original comment, keeping conversations organized.

Replies are nested to keep discussions organized

Marking comments as resolved

Once feedback is implemented, mark comments as resolved to track progress.

How to resolve a comment

On desktop:

1. Hover over a comment
2. A “Resolve” button appears in the top-right corner
3. Click it to mark as resolved

On mobile:

1. The resolve button is always visible
2. Tap it to mark as resolved

Managing resolved comments

Use the toggle in the top-right of the track page:

• Show resolved comments: See all feedback (active and resolved)
• Hide resolved comments: Focus only on active discussions

Resolved comments can be un-resolved at any time by clicking “Unresolve.”

Editing and deleting comments

Editing your comments

1. Click on one of your own comments
2. Look for the “…” menu in the top-right
3. Select “Edit”
4. Make your changes and click “Save”

Deleting comments

1. Click on your comment
2. Open the “…” menu
3. Select “Delete”
4. Confirm deletion

Note: Deleted comments show [deleted] but replies remain visible. This preserves conversation context.

Pro tips

Keyboard shortcuts

• C - Open comment form at current timestamp
• Spacebar - Play/pause
• ← / → - Skip backward/forward 5 seconds
• Cmd/Ctrl + Enter - Submit comment

Best practices

• Be specific: Instead of “This needs work,” say “The vocals are too loud compared to the drums”
• Use timestamps: Even with waveform markers, mentioning “at 1:32” in your comment text helps
• @mention when urgent: If feedback is time-sensitive, mention the person who needs to act
• Resolve when done: Keep the comments list clean by resolving addressed feedback

Batch commenting

Working through a full mix? Here’s an efficient workflow:

1. Play the track straight through without stopping
2. When you hear something, press spacebar to pause
3. Press C to add a comment at that exact spot
4. Write quick feedback and submit (Cmd+Enter)
5. Press spacebar again to resume playback

This lets you comment without breaking your listening flow.

Troubleshooting

Comment button is grayed out

Possible causes:

• You don’t have permission to comment (guest access only)
• The track is still processing after upload
• The track has been archived or deleted

Solution:

• Check with the drive owner about your access level
• Wait for upload processing to complete
• Verify you’re viewing the correct track

Comments not appearing

Possible causes:

• Your connection is offline
• “Show resolved comments” is disabled and all comments are resolved
• You’re viewing a different version of the track

Solution:

• Refresh the page to sync latest comments
• Toggle “Show resolved comments” on
• Check which version you’re viewing in the version dropdown

@mentions not working

Possible causes:

• The person doesn’t have access to the track
• They’re not a member of the shared drive
• Their account is inactive

Solution:

• Check the drive members list
• Invite them to the drive first
• Verify their account status

Audio comments won’t record

Possible causes:

• Microphone permissions not granted
• No microphone detected
• Browser doesn’t support audio recording

Solution:

• Check browser permissions (Settings → Privacy → Microphone)
• Connect a microphone or use your device’s built-in mic
• Try a modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)

Related articles

• Recording Audio Feedback - Detailed guide to voice comments
• Using @Mentions - Advanced mention features
• Resolving Comments - Track progress on feedback
• Shared Drives - Set up collaborative workspaces