Cloud-based music creation and collaboration platform Splice has paid out $25 million to musicians, the company revealed in a blog post today (February 10).
Splice was founded in 2013 by Steve Martocci and Matt Aimonetti.
The company raised $57.5m in a Series C funding round round in March last year, with backers including (existing investors) Union Square Ventures and True Ventures, who were joined by DFJ Growth, Flybridge, Lerer Hippeau, LionTree, Founders Circle Capital – and Matt Pincus, founder of SONGS Music Publishing.
At the time of that announcement, Splice revealed that it had paid $15m in royalties to music creators who distribute their sounds through Splice Sounds – the company’s artist-to-artist sample service, which gives music creators access to a library of millions of sounds.
“Since Splice Sounds launched in 2015, you and your fellow creators have downloaded millions of samples from thousands of sample packs to produce your beats, scores, tracks, soundscapes, and more,” writes the company.
“In doing so, you’ve supported the sound designers, producers, vocalists, and instrumentalists who distribute their sounds on Splice.”
Added the company: “With sounds from Splice, you’ve pushed boundaries, broken down barriers, and redefined what collaboration looks like. You’ve accomplished incredible things.
“Some of you have completed your first track. Others have produced GRAMMY-winning hits. All of you have supported your fellow independent artists in your creative process.”
Speaking to Variety, which first reported the news, Splice’s Martocci said: “What’s cool about Splice Sounds is every time you’re using it, you’re putting money into the pockets of the musicians who made those sounds. And to get compensated like this actually can transform peoples’ lives”.
Picture credit: Geoff KimMusic Business Worldwide
