What is Fonna?
Fonna is an AI-powered music feedback tool. You upload a track and receive a focused producer report covering arrangement, production, and mix. It is built for independent musicians and producers who want honest, directional feedback on works in progress.
How does Fonna actually work?
The honest answer is that it took a long time to get right.
Fonna uses frontier AI audio models — the most capable listening technology available today. But the technology alone is not the product. What makes Fonna work is the structure built around it: the way the analysis is sequenced, the passes it takes through your track, the way observations are assembled and tested before they reach you. That structure is the result of sustained, careful development. It is not something that happened quickly.
Each analysis listens to your track the way a producer would — in sections, with attention, looking for specific things at each pass. Arrangement. Production choices. Mix. What is landing. What is getting in the way.
There are other tools that will process your audio and hand something back in seconds. They are doing something genuinely useful. Fonna is doing something different — and considerably more expensive to run. The compute behind each report is closer to what powers the most advanced AI systems in the world than it is to automated audio processing. That gap is intentional.
Why is it called Fonna?
Fonn is Scots Gaelic for "tune." Fonna is a small homage to the musical traditions that inspired the founder — and a reminder that at the heart of all of this, there is a song.
Who built Fonna?
Fonna was built by Ewen McIntosh — a lifelong gigging musician, independent recording artist, and former high school music teacher, special educator, vice principal, and principal in Ontario. Fonna is the intersection of those two careers. Read more on the philosophy page.
What does a Fonna report include?
Each report includes a snapshot of the track's overall impression, notes on arrangement, production, and mix, timestamped observations tied to specific moments in the track, a best next move, priority actions, and a listening reference — a released record with a lesson relevant to your track.
What does Fonna not do?
Fonna does not critique songwriting, lyrics, or genre. It does not tell you how to use specific tools or plugins. It does not remember previous versions of your track. Each upload is a fresh listen. It is not a substitute for human collaboration — it is a starting point for your next session.
What file formats does Fonna accept?
Fonna accepts WAV, MP3, M4A, AAC, FLAC, AIFF, and AIF files. For best results, upload a full-resolution mix — WAV or AIFF at your session sample rate.
Is there a file size or length limit?
The maximum file size is 60MB. The maximum track duration is currently 6 minutes. These limits may change as the service evolves.
Is my audio stored after the analysis?
No. Uploaded audio is deleted from our systems once your report has been generated. We do not store, use, or retain your audio files beyond the time required to run the analysis.
How long does an analysis take?
Most analyses complete within 2 to 5 minutes, depending on track length and current demand. Keep the tab open while it processes — the report will appear when it is ready.
How do credits work?
Each analysis uses 1 credit. New accounts receive 1 free credit on signup. Additional credits are purchased in packs: Starter (10 credits for $9.99) or Creator (30 credits for $19.99).
Do credits expire?
No. Purchased credits do not expire as long as Fonna is operational. If Fonna were to close, we would make reasonable efforts to notify users in advance.
Can I get a refund?
All credit purchases are final and non-refundable. If you experience a technical error that results in a failed or clearly broken report, get in touch and we will review the situation. Where appropriate, we may issue replacement credits at our discretion.
Will prices change?
Fonna may adjust its pricing and credit packs at any time. Any changes apply to future purchases only — credits you have already bought are never affected.
Can I share my account with someone else?
No. Accounts are for individual use only. Each person should create their own account.
How do I delete my account?
Get in touch and we will delete your account and any associated data. Note that unused credits are forfeited on account deletion.
What stage of a track should I upload?
Fonna works best on tracks that have a clear shape — demos, rough mixes, near-finishes, and pre-masters all work well. Very early sketches with placeholder elements may not give Fonna enough to work with. The ideal upload is a mix that is real enough to evaluate but still open to change.
Does Fonna remember my previous uploads?
No. Each upload is analysed fresh, without reference to previous versions. This is intentional — you get honest ears every time, unaffected by what the track used to sound like. Think of it as inviting a new listener into the room after each revision.
The report mentioned something I disagree with. What should I do?
Trust your ears. Fonna is a tool, not a verdict. If a note does not resonate, set it aside. If it keeps coming up across multiple analyses, it may be worth a closer listen. The report is a starting point for your next session, not a final word on your music.