WalkMix® Creator Challenge 2025

The Challenge is open to music creators of Indian origin, age 18 or over, located anywhere in the world.

For this Challenge, Indian origin means that you or at least one parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent was a citizen of India under the Constitution of India or the Citizenship Act, or held an Indian passport. Holding an OCI/PIO card, or being eligible for OCI on an ancestry basis, also qualifies. Association only by marriage does not qualify.

Entries are accepted on self-attestation at the time of submission. If you are selected as a finalist or winner, we may ask you to provide a simple proof within a short time window, for example an OCI/PIO card, an Indian passport for you or your ancestor with a document showing the relationship, a birth certificate, or an equivalent government record. You may redact unrelated information. We will use any documents only to verify eligibility.

For team entries, every team member must meet the Indian origin and age requirements.

No prior immersive audio experience is required! The challenge includes comprehensive tutorials and learning resources to help you master WalkMix Creator. The software is designed to be accessible to creators of all levels. Your creativity and musical talent are more important than technical expertise.

Immersive audio creates a 360° soundfield that places the listener at the center of the music. Unlike traditional stereo, instruments and vocals can be placed around you in three dimensions for a more natural sense of space. You can listen on any standard stereo headphones via binaural rendering. Playback on third-party apps varies by platform, region, and device.

Yes. WalkMix Creator runs on Mac or Windows computers. It does not run on phones or tablets. You will need:

• A compatible DAW that can host the WalkMix Creator plugin

  (for example: Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Cubase, Nuendo, Reaper)

• Headphones for binaural monitoring

• A stable internet connection for sign-in and periodic license checks

Not provided by Audio Futures

Computers, DAWs, audio interfaces, headphones, and internet access are not supplied or reimbursed. The Challenge provides a free WalkMix Creator license through 31 Oct 2025 with code CreatorChallenge25.

For detailed system requirements and the up-to-date DAW compatibility list, see the WalkMix Creator product page FAQs.

1. Go to the WalkMix Creator subscribe page and click SUBSCRIBE.

2. Create an Account or Login.

3. On the checkout screen, click PLACE ORDER then Add discount, enter CreatorChallenge25, confirm the discount applies and the total shows 0 Due today.

4. Click Continue and proceed with entering credit card information.

5. Download and install WalkMix Creator, then sign in with the same account.

Important

• Renewals are free through 15 Nov 2025, 23:59 IST, then standard rates apply unless you cancel in My Acount → Subscriptions.

• You will be asked to add a payment method for renewal management, it will not be charged before 15 Nov 2025 unless you keep the subscription.

• Offer is intended for WalkMix Creator Challenge entrants, one license per entrant, not transferable.

Export from WalkMix Creator, then paste a public download link into the submission form.

Export in WalkMix Creator

1. Open your project and click EXPORT in the plugin

2. Choose MP4 / MPEG-H

3. Set Level to Level 3

4. Enter a Title, choose an Output folder, and export

5. Confirm the file duration is 3:00 or less

Submit

• Upload your file to your own cloud storage (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox, WeTransfer) and set the link to Anyone with the link can view/download

• Paste that public link into the form’s Submission link field

• Optional: add a binaural preview link (WAV/MP3) for easy listening

• You may resubmit before the deadline. The latest timely verified entry will be judged

Troubleshooting

• If the site reports “file not accessible,” check the link permission is public

• If the file is longer than 3:00 or not Level 3, please re-export and resubmit

Each of the Top 3 Finalists receives:

• ₹10,000 by bank transfer

• 1-year WalkMix Creator Pro license

• One pair of Sony professional studio monitor headphones MDR-M1

Teams

• Cash is paid to the team lead on behalf of the team

• Licenses may be issued to individual team members, up to one per member and maximum three per team

• Headphones are one pair per finalist entry

Currency and taxes

• Payments are made in INR. If a finalist cannot receive INR, Audio Futures may pay the USD equivalent using the Organizer’s bank exchange rate on the payment date

• Any bank fees, exchange charges, taxes, customs duties, or import fees are the recipient’s responsibility

Fulfillment timing

• Prizes are issued after eligibility verification and receipt of required details. Shipping method and delivery timing are at the Organizer’s discretion

Round-trip economy airfare from a major international gateway near the Winner’s residence to Los Angeles, hotel for up to five consecutive nights during the studio session (standard room, single occupancy), and the studio session itself. Passport and any required visas are the Winner’s responsibility. On request, Audio Futures can provide a prize confirmation letter with travel dates and studio details for use in a visitor-visa application. Visa decisions and timing are solely up to the authorities. Upgrades, incidentals, and personal expenses are not included.

Yes. Teams of up to three members may enter. Every team member must meet the eligibility requirements. The team must designate a team lead as the primary contact and payee.

If a team wins the Grand Prize

• Airfare and hotel are provided for one team representative to attend the LA studio session in person

• Other members may join remotely

• Audio Futures may, at its discretion, invite up to two additional team members to attend in person, subject to budget, visas, and studio capacity. Audio Futures will specify in writing whether travel and hotel for any additional invitee(s) are covered. If self-funded attendance is permitted, the team is responsible for all costs and logistics

Prize delivery for teams

• Cash prizes are paid to the team lead on behalf of the team

• WalkMix Creator licenses may be issued to individual team members, up to one per member, maximum three per team

• Sony MDR-M1 headphones are one pair per Finalist entry

Disputes and splits

Internal splits and credits are the team’s responsibility. Audio Futures may disqualify a team if there is a credible dispute about ownership or eligibility that cannot be resolved promptly.

Each Finalist receives ₹10,000 by bank transfer. If a Finalist cannot receive INR, Audio Futures may pay the USD or local-currency equivalent at Audio Futures’ discretion, using Audio Futures’ bank exchange rate on the payment date. Any bank, intermediary, or exchange fees and any taxes are the recipient’s responsibility.

No. There is no guarantee of release. The LA studio session will produce a track. Any commercial release will be handled only under a separate written agreement with the relevant rights holder(s). Ownership, credits, and any producer royalties for the session track will be agreed in that separate agreement.

You keep ownership of your original composition. By entering, you grant Audio Futures, Inc. a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, sublicensable license to use your submission only for:

1. administering and judging the WalkMix Creator Challenge, including making it available to judges and service providers

2. announcing, exhibiting, and promoting the Challenge, finalists, and winner on our websites, social channels, and event materials

This license lasts through the end of the Challenge and for 24 months afterward for promotion, with archival use in perpetuity in non-commercial historical materials. Audio Futures may allow its sponsors, affiliates, marketing partners, and service providers to use the submission for the same limited purposes. Audio Futures is not obligated to use or post any submission.

You also consent to the use of your name, likeness, and biography in connection with Challenge results and related promotion, where permitted by law.

If you are selected as the Winner, any collaboration during the LA session and any release or exploitation of the resulting track will be handled under a separate written agreement with the relevant rights holder(s). This may involve Audio Futures, the producer or studio, a distributor or label, or you if self-releasing. A commercial release is not guaranteed and depends on approvals and any required third-party clearances.

By submitting, you confirm the work is original or fully cleared, that there are no uncleared samples or third-party materials, and that all listed contributors consent to the submission and to these terms.