How we report

Our commitment to artists

Artists deserve a say in how companies use their music, voice, image, and labor. We ask who gets paid, who can refuse, and who can leave.

We challenge unclear licenses, hidden costs, lost file access, and deals that give creators little control. A company's growth matters here when artists share the benefit.

This stance does not change our standard of proof. A complaint contains allegations. A settlement is not a court ruling. We state the jurisdiction, the verified stage, and each party's relevant position.

Sources

We link to the documents behind a claim. Company announcements establish what a company says. Help pages describe current product rules. Neither proves that a tool works as promised.

User reports can reveal a problem worth investigating. One report does not establish a failure rate. We look for later updates and include relevant accounts that differ.

Facts, reports, and analysis

We identify user reports as reports. We label our interpretation as analysis. We state what remains unknown. We do not describe an announced deal as completed without evidence of closing.

Every story explains the impact on users. This can include price, access, control, rights, or extra work. A risk of higher prices is different from an announced price increase.

Dates and updates

The publication date tells you when an article appeared here. The event date tells you when the news happened. The source-check date tells you when we reviewed the material.

We update an existing story when the same issue changes. We create a new story when there is a distinct development worth explaining. We do not change dates to make old news look new.

AI assistance and review

AI can help find leads, organize sources, and draft copy. We disclose that assistance. Public articles require human editorial approval. A scheduled watch finding is a lead, not a finished article.

We do not invent interviews, tests, quotations, or bylines. Each article states its reporting method and any material limits.

Our interest in music software

DeadMod also makes music and music software. That gives us a direct interest in the subjects we cover. Our product links must not stand in for evidence about another company.

These launch articles contain no affiliate links. Any future paid placement or affiliate link must be clearly identified.

Corrections

Send factual corrections to will@starterbuild.com. Include the article link, the disputed statement, and a source where possible.

A material correction should explain what changed and when. Small spelling fixes do not need a correction notice. Requests and complaints receive a review, not a promise that the article will change.