Experimental Releases
Shape Tomorrow's Workflows

Source Elements Labs is our experimental release program—a way for select customers to access and test new features and improvements before they reach general availability.

Think of it as early access with purpose. You get to try cutting-edge capabilities, and we get helpful insights about what works well in real-world use.

Labs access is available to customers with active licenses and Network Access subscriptions who complete our application.

We look for people who:

• Have a genuine need or interest in experimental features
• Can describe their workflows and what they're trying to accomplish
• Understand they're working with pre-release software
• Are willing to share insights when something works well or doesn't

Not everyone who applies will be accepted—we manage access based on available capacity and how well the experimental features align with applicant needs.

The application is straightforward:

1. Fill out the form with information about your work and what you're interested in trying
2. Tell us about your setup—what you're currently using and how you work
3. Describe what you'd like to accomplish with Labs access
4. Submit and wait for review—we'll get back to you as soon as we can

Tip: The more context you provide about your workflows and interests, the better we can match you with relevant experimental features.

There's no additional cost beyond your existing subscription. Labs access is included for approved applicants who maintain active Network Access.

The main "cost" is your time and attention—using experimental software and sharing what you learn along the way.

Labs features eventually graduate to production releases after testing and refinement based on user experience.

Labs releases can be discontinued as needed. Typically, iLok licenses are valid for 30 days and you'll need to request renewal via email.

The renewal process is usually quick for users who've already been approved—the 30-day cycle helps us manage access and ensures you're always on current builds.

Keep your production versions up to date. Labs builds expire, so watch for notifications and grab updates when you see them.

Compatibility considerations are important—this is something everyone should keep up to date with.

We upgrade documentation with every release detailing known issues and limitations. The end goal is always stability and interoperability, so the longer a Labs version is around with feedback cycles, the less likely there are compatibility issues.

Best Practice: Always check the compatibility notes for each Labs release to understand any limitations when connecting Labs users to production users or running both versions simultaneously.

All of the above. Source Elements Labs is where we test new ideas across our entire product ecosystem.

You might see:

• Completely new products in early development
• Major feature additions to existing products
• Performance improvements and optimizations
• UI/UX redesigns and workflow enhancements
• Experimental integrations with other platforms

Labs is where we explore what's next in remote audio production.

Labs participants receive updates through multiple channels:

• Labs-specific mailing list for experimental release announcements
• Regular Source Elements newsletters
• Social media channels (follow us everywhere)
• Dedicated forums or community platforms

We recommend following us on all channels and signing up for our newsletter to ensure you never miss important Labs announcements or new feature releases.

Labs support is handled through dedicated channels separate from production support—typically a dedicated email or forum.

The specific support channel will be outlined in your onboarding email and may vary depending on what you're testing.

Note: Support and updates for Labs builds may move at a different pace than production releases—that's the nature of experimental software.

There are no formal restrictions on how you use Labs software—you're free to use it on projects if you're comfortable with the experimental nature.

We do ask that you:

• Share constructive feedback with our development team when you can
• Be thoughtful about social media—feel free to share when Labs helps solve a problem you or others are facing

Labs users are trusted early adopters. We appreciate you helping test new capabilities and sharing useful insights with the community.

Keep your production software up to date. That's the key to smooth transitions.

Since Labs builds refresh periodically, the transition from Labs to production happens naturally. Once a feature graduates, you'll simply update your production software and continue using it—now fully supported and stable.

Watch for notifications and grab production updates when they're available.

The ideal Labs participant is someone who's genuinely curious about new capabilities and willing to share their experience.

You're actively working in remote production and can use experimental features in real scenarios—not just trying things out of curiosity, but actually seeing how they fit into your workflows.

You're willing to communicate—letting us know when something works great or when you hit a snag. You don't need to write detailed reports; just share what you notice.

You keep up with renewals—staying engaged through the 30-day refresh cycles and keeping your production versions updated as a backup option.

You have an active license—Labs is for subscribers who understand our products well enough to test new capabilities in meaningful ways.

Your real-world experience helps us understand what works and what needs improvement.