Singer Express Frequently Asked Questions

Signup and Access

1. Why must I register before I fill out an application?
You must prove that you have a valid email address before you can apply for membership. You'll be able to fill out an application after you receive an email from us with the subject line "SingerExpress.com Signup," which contains a validation code which gives you access to the application process.

2. What is my username?
Your username is your valid email address.

3. When registering, the password I'm choosing is being rejected. Why is this happening?
Your password must be at least 8 characters long. For your security, we recommend that your password be a combination of letters and numbers not containing your birth date or other easily-discovered information.

4. After I've registered, when attempting to log in, my username and password are being rejected. Why can't I get in to the site?
Be sure you are using the exact spelling of your username (email address) and password that you used when you registered. Also, be aware that usernames and passwords are case sensitive! Be sure that your Caps Lock key is not engaged when entering your username or password.

5. What if I forget my password?
In the login area, type your user name and make up a password (it doesn't need to be anything special; this is temporary), and when the next login screen appears, click on "Forgot your password?" and follow the instructions. Alternately, you can email us at admin@singerexpress.com from the email address you registered with and request that we reset your password.

6. Where do I find my validation code?
The validation code is in the "SingerExpress.com Signup" email which we sent to you right after you signed up.

7. I never received an email containing a validation code. Why?
Any number of things could have happened. For example, you could have misspelled your email address, you could have had the caps lock key on when you typed your username or password, or you could have accidentally used an email address which is not being received on your computer. Also, some email programs like Apple Mail and Outlook Express (and many web-based email services) have automatic spam blockers which could have moved our email to a junk mail folder on your computer. If you have one, check your junk mail or spam folder for an email from singerexpress.com. When all else fails, try signing up again and be very careful when you type your email address and password. If you still don't receive a validation email, please contact Technical Support.

8. Do I need to save the email which contains my validation code?
You do not have to save your validation email once you have completed the "Enter your contact information" section of the application. Once you have continued past the contact information page your validation code is no longer required.

9. What if I accidentally delete the email containing my validation code?
If you lose your validation code before completing the "Enter Your Contact Information" section of the application, you'll need to contact us so we can clear your email address from our database and have you start a new application. Once you've completed the contact information you will not need your validation code any further.

10. Can I change my password?
Yes. Here's how you do it:
(a) Log in to the site with your username and current password.
(b) Once you log in, your will be on your Singer Page or Producer Page. Go to the purple menu bar and click on "membership", choose "change password".
(c) In the appropriate fields, enter your current password and then enter your new password twice.
(d) Click "Change it!" and you're done.

11. Can I partially fill out the application and return to complete it at a later time?
Yes, if you didn't delete the email "SingerExpress.com Signup". When you wish to return to complete your application, go to that email and click on the validation code that's contained in that email message. Enter your email address and password to continue. You will be taken to the beginning of the application, click the Continue buttons on each page until you get to the page where you left off.

12. What if I am disconnected while I'm filling out my application?
If you were at the start of the application when you were disconnected, you'll need to return to the site using the validation code contained in the email you received from us entitled "SingerExpress.com Signup". Click on "Validate Me", then enter your email address and password to be taken back to the application form. If you were already in the middle of the application form and past the contact information page, you can enter your email address and password directly into the log in section of the home page. This will take you back into the application page you were on before being disconnected.

13. How can I change my email address (my username) in the SingerExpress.com database?
You cannot change this on your own because it's the only way that you can access your SingerExpress.com account online. You must notify us by email and we will make the necessary changes to allow you to log in with your new email address. To do this, go to "contact us" on the purple menu bar, choose "general questions", then choose "Technical Support" as the subject. In the message area, tell us which email address you want to have changed. We will contact you when the change has been made.

14. Why do I have to go through Technical Support to change my email address?
Your email address is your user name in our database. Therefore, we have to change it directly inside the system so that your data is preserved and so that you can still have the ability to log in and use our site.

15. Is there a log in/log out feature?
Yes, the log in/log out button is located on the upper right side of each page heading. We recommend that you log out when you're done with your current session on SingerExpress.com.

16. Is the singer's application available in printed form?
No, SingerExpress.com is solely an online service. We are not set up to handle written applications. If you wish to print out the application as you go, you can always print the individual pages just as you would print anything else from your computer.

17. Is the online application form secure?
Yes! The information you submit during the application process and payment process is protected with secure 128-bit encryption.

18. Is it safe for me to submit a credit card payment through your website?
Yes, all credit card transactions are sent and processed using state-of-the-art 128-bit encryption. If you are uneasy about making credit card payments over the Internet, call us at 203-276-0276 and we'll make payment arrangements with you.

back to the top

Technical and Web Browser Issues

(see also "singer-specific FAQ" and "producer-specific FAQ" in the purple menu bar if you're logged in)

1. Which web browser software works with the SingerExpress.com site?
On Macintosh OSX and Windows computers, you can use Firefox, Safari, Netscape, and various Mozilla browsers. Internet Explorer is only supported on the Windows platform. This site is not compatible with AOL or Internet Explorer on the Mac. Also, we have not tested on versions of Windows earlier than Windows XP or on Mac OS9.x.

2. Must I have a high-speed internet connection to use your site?
We highly recommend it. The site will work with dialup connections, but you'll experience considerable wait times and frustration when you try to upload or attempt to listen to vocal demos.

3. What do I do if my email address is an AOL email address?
You can still use this email address. However, when you click on the "Validate Me" link it will bring you to a redirect page in the AOL browser (which is not compatible with our site). So, instead, you will have to copy the Singer Express website address located in your AOL email, then paste that address into another browser (such as Safari, Firefox, or IE). Once you're on the Validation page in one of those browsers, you'll then have to copy and paste the validation code from the AOL email using the same method.

4. Many pages on your site display in a strange way or do not load properly. Why is this?
Chances are, you're using an incompatible browser (see the first question in this section). If you are using a browser that's listed as compatible, be sure you have Javascript enabled (go to Help in your browser and follow the instructions to make sure that it's enabled).

5. When I use the "back" button on my browser, I keep getting a question about "re-submitting a form." Why is this, and can it mess things up?
You should not use the back button on your browser, especially during the application process. It is possible to corrupt the information you are submitting if you see this warning message. Specific pages which do not permit use of the browser back button will have their own back buttons located near the bottom of the page.

6. Do I need to turn off my popup blocker?
Yes, we highly recommend that you turn off your popup blocker in order to be able to see and use all of the features on the SingerExpress.com site.

7. When I try to send a general question on the contact page (from the homepage), I get an error that says "Safari can't open the page because it cannot redirect to locations starting with "(null):". Why is this error occurring?
This error is a problem within Safari 2.x and earlier. If it continues, please use Safari 3.x, Firefox, or a compatible web browser other than Safari (see question #1 above).

8. When I try to use your site using AOL on a Mac, I am told that I cannot do so. What should I do?
You'll still be able to use AOL for Internet access, but you can't use AOL's built-in web browser software. Since AOL for Mac OSX's internal browser is not compatible with our site, you'll need to use an "external" browser like Safari, Firefox, or a Mozilla-branded browser to access SingerExpress.com. Here's what you should do: Sign on to AOL, then, instead of typing www.singerexpress.com into the AOL's address bar, launch one of these "external" browsers while you're signed on to AOL. Type our address into the external browser's address bar.

9. Is this site secure? Is my personal and credit card information safe?
Yes and Yes. All of the information you submit, including payments, is protected by secure 128-bit encryption. We do not hold or store credit card numbers or payment information on our servers.

10. My vocal demo is not in .mp3 format. Can I use it on your site?
The SingerExpress.com website can only accept vocal demos (audio samples) in .mp3 format. If your demo is not in this format, you have several options: (1) You can convert it yourself before uploading using a computer application like iTunes, (2) You can ask a friend to convert it for you, (3) You can have any other party convert it for you, or (4) You can have us do the conversion for you for an additional fee. One other technical note: Your .mp3 must be encoded at the 44.1 kHz sampling rate, or it will play back slow once it's on your Singer Page. You can convert it yourself, or we can do it for you for an additional fee. Once you've converted your demo to this format, you will be able to upload your demo from your Singer Page.

11. My vocal demo is longer than SingerExpress.com allows for in my basic membership package. What should I do?
Either at signup or after you become a member, you can either purchase more time for your demo, or you can edit it to fit your allotted time. If you have audio editing software, you can do this yourself. If you have access to a studio, they can do this for you. In any case, be sure that your final audio file is in .mp3 format at 44.1 kHz. If you do not have access to either resource, we can edit your demo for you for an additional fee. If you want us to do it, contact us at info@singerexpress.com and we'll make arrangements with you and provide you with a price quote.

back to the top

Questions About Membership

1. What is the difference between a Singer and a Premium Screened Singer?
Applicants have a choice to join our website as either a Singer or as a Premium Screened Singer. Producers can search for you using these categories as guidelines. Premium Screened Singers have been reviewed by the SingerExpress.com staff and have received that "extra stamp of approval" which producers often find useful. Premium Screened Singers have auditioned for us and proven that they can recreate "live" what is on their demo in an actual studio situation quickly, in tune, and on time. In addition, bios, photos, and vocal samples (demo) which screened singers submit for display on their personal Singer Page must be reviewed by our staff before they are displayed. Premium Screened Singers pay a small premium in membership fees for the privilege of being searchable as singers whose talents have been reviewed by our staff. Singers who do not opt for the Premium Screened Singer option are not heard by us in the studio, or they may not yet have enough studio experience or professional references to be part of the Premium Screened category. Our staff does not audition you or evaluate your vocal demo or any materials which you include in your listing (subject, of course, to certain decency guidelines!), so producers take more of a chance by searching for Singers rather than Premium Screened Singers. When your listing is marked "Singer," producers know that you have not received any endorsement by the SingerExpress.com staff. Finally, membership fees are lower for Singer members than they are for Premium Screened Singers.

2. Is it better to be a Premium Screened Singer?
This is entirely a personal choice, and depends on what kind of vocalist you are. In some cases, especially if you're someone with a unique talent (such as singing fluently in Polish, for example), you may be perfectly fine with a Singer membership. But if, for example, you're a pop singer, you may find it better to join as Premium Screened, since this is a diverse field in which you'll be up against many other singers who do the same. (These are just a few examples; you'll need to think this out carefully before you actually sign up.)

3. If I sign up as a Singer member, can I later change over to being a Premium Screened Singer?
Yes. You will need to schedule an audition (a fee applies) and allow us to review and accept all the materials you have on your Singer Page. Some changes will probably be necessary (in keeping with our guidelines for screened singers). In addition, your membership fee will be adjusted if you pass your audition. If you wish to change, please notify us by emailing auditions@singerexpress.com.

4. I am a Premium Screened Singer but would like to change to a Singer membership. Can I do this?
Yes, notify us by email.

5. What is included in the "basic package"?
The basic package includes your contact info, use of the private messaging system, your bio, one photo, three searchable vocal styles, one searchable language, and a three minute vocal demo. You'll be able to add to this package when you apply for membership or at any time after you've joined.

6. Can I customize the basic package if I don't want all the services?
No, you cannot. We priced the basic package significantly lower than what the individual items would have cost you if you were able to purchase them separately. If we had offered this package ala carte, the cost to you would be much higher.

7. After I submitted my payment, I noticed that I made a mistake on my application. Can I fix it?
You will have to contact us so we can make the change inside our system. Please contact us with the changes and we'll take care of it.

8. Why is it that the monthly payment plan option is so much more expensive than the annual payment plan?
We try to encourage all applicants to join on an annual basis because we believe annual members will help to ensure stability and success for the site, which benefits all members. Therefore, we make it much more economical to be an annual member. We offer monthly memberships to give singers a chance to try us out before committing to an annual membership. If you sign up for the monthly payment plan, you can always switch over to an annual membership at any time.

9. What if I start an application and have to leave in the middle? Will I have to start all over or can I come back?
See the answer to question #12 under Membership and Access, above.

back to the top

For Premium Screened Singers Only

1. I've signed up and paid using your online application form. When will I get my audition?
You will audition on the next scheduled audition day near your locality that has time slots available.

2. What if I sign up to be a Premium Screened Singer and I do not pass my audition?
You will be reassigned to a Singer membership. Please don't let this prevent you from auditioning again. Do take into consideration any feedback given to you from the previous audition. Once you've gained more experience, feel free to audition again in the future.

3. Will my audition fee be refunded if I do not pass my audition?
No. The audition fee is used to cover the costs of holding the audition and it is not refundable.

4. Who will be judging my audition?
You will audition before the SingerExpress.com staff and other industry professionals.

5. What do I need to prepare for the audition?
The exact requirements of what you need to do will be sent to your email when you get your audition date and time. Other than that, there is nothing you need to do to prepare other than to be sure you'll be performing as you would if you were singing on a project with a producer's guidance. In other words, be yourself!

6. What can I expect at the audition?
You will be asked to sing a few bits for our staff, and we'll evaluate you based on your professional skills and attitude.

7. As a Premium Screened Singer, am I required to have a vocal demo?
Yes. Since you will be positioned for producers to find you as having our "endorsement", it is important that you show your best side, and your vocal demo is proof of your vocal abilities. Producers are likely to search for Premium Screened Singers first, so we want you to put your best foot forward!

8. Why do all of my materials (bio, demos, and photos) need to be approved before producers can see them?
Again, as a screened singer you receive our "endorsement," and producers may be more inclined to contact screened singers who have gone through our approval process. With the guidance that approval can provide, you'll be sure that you're advertising yourself in the best possible light.

back to the top

web application / database development by davidcdalton.com