I record a new track along with the track(s) I am sent, and my track(s) and theirs all always start at the beginning of the song as they defined it, including a long lead-in. When I send my track back, I include theirs, so if there is any question, they will know what I intended by lining up their own tracks. This is a very legit question, since some DAW software supports time stamps but some does not.

Another way to say this is, if my part is a punch-in, or short segment in the middle of the song (like a jazz solo), I still bounce it to a full-length track so what I give them is an audio file that starts when all their other tracks do.

I also send them an MP3 of MY mix so if there is any question, they can hear exactly what I intended. Of course, when people hire me for tracks, I never know how they might chop my part up! Comes with the job...

If you are on the receiving end, and get tracks that do not all start at the beginning of the song, then expand your view of the audio files horizontally, look for beats to match up vertically between tracks, and do your best, with your ears as your final guide. I have also been known to ask them to redo their track to start at the beginning, as described above.

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