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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see our full disclosure here. Can you use Splice Sounds in your commercial projects? The simple answer to that question is YES, but the real answer is much more complicated… You see, most people don’t read EULAs (end-user license agreements) and that can get you in trouble. I’ve done my research and the reality is that using Splice Sounds in your commercial projects can lead to potential problems. If you’ve read through Splice’s EULA, you’ll understand that you’re basically using the service at your own discretion. In other words, Splice cannot be held liable if for example, one of the samples/loops you used was later found to be uncleared (which is entirely possible). Splice also doesn’t protect you from any potential lawsuits that can arise because of improper use of their material (we’ll be studying some real examples to drive the point home). Lastly, you’ll need to realize that sounds you license from Splice are NON-EXCLUSIVE which means that using them for EXCLUSIVE tracks can get you in trouble. If I’ve still got your attention, keep reading to find out if it’s still possible to use Splice Sounds (or any other service) commercially and how to do it PROPERLY.
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer or qualified to give you legal advice. Splice’s EULA has been improvedIt’s worth reminding ourselves that EULAs are always subject to change, but it’s important to note if you’ve come across this forum thread from Gearslutz. It’s actually what motivated me to write this article, but I also decided to dig deeper. One of the things I realized was that some paragraphs referenced in that thread were missing. If you’re wondering what they were…
That all sounds complicated, I know. In layman’s terms, they were vaguely stating that anything you created using Splice samples/loops was basically considered a “derivative work” of those sounds. That’s probably what caused the commotion, but Splice seems to have addressed that. You can consult the current EULA yourself and search for the use of the word “derivative” (use ctrl-f/cmd-f). It’s only used twice and not in the same context. In other words, that issue doesn’t seem to be an issue anymore. You can double-check yourself, but just be aware that these terms are most likely going to be updated again (and again). If you’re planning to use your music for streaming and/or non-exclusive licensing, then it’s okay… However, signing your music for exclusive deals can potentially create conflicts. That’s why YouTube (and other platforms) don’t allow you to monetize music that use samples/loops. Exclusive music libraries have the same concerns and the same precautions. Do you want to be considered a liability? It’s up to you, but we’re not done yet. Let’s move on to our next point! What you find on Splice isn’t guaranteed to be legally clearedAlthough Splice has become one of the most reputable sources of royalty-free samples/loops, it doesn’t mean that it’s impervious to fraud. In other words, it’s not impossible for one of Splice’s contributors to upload material that can later be found to be uncleared. By uncleared, I mean sounds that they don’t own the copyrights to (at least not entirely). Here’s the paragraph that cautions the end-user (you) about this possibility…
As mentioned, it’s much less likely to happen on sites like splice.com, but if they’re warning you about it, it’s probably because it’s happened in the past… Once again, you’re the one that’ll be taking the risk. Is it really worth it? Keep reading to find out how to mitigate that risk but first, let’s look at some examples. Justin Bieber getting sued for using Splice SoundsIf you haven’t heard the story, Justin Bieber was actually accused of infringing on Asher Monroe’s copyright. The songs in question were “Running Over” and “Synergy”, respectively. In all fairness, the loop used wasn’t used properly AT ALL. Before getting into that though, let’s see how Splice protects itself from these disputes…
It’s completely in their right to do so, but it’s in YOUR best interest to think ahead. If you listen to these tracks, you’ll notice that the loop makes up most of the instrumental. Whoever produced it must’ve gotten pretty lazy, am I right? However, using any form of memorable melodic/harmonic hook could put you at risk. It’s kind of like someone who sells you guns or fireworks… It’s completely legal, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t seriously injure yourself (or others) with them. Once again, you’ll need to use your best judgement to determine how “original” your music will sound after implementing one or more of these samples/loops. Do you seriously think an exclusive music library is looking for that kind of trouble? The reason they sign exclusive deals is to get ORIGINAL music, not rip offs… Anyway, if these arguments haven’t convinced you, I don’t know what will. However, we’re still going to be learning how to use samples/loops PROPERLY in the next section. I actually know of many TV/Film music producers who use Splice Sounds in their commercial productions. Most of these artists sign exclusive deals as well, so how do they do it? ONE-SHOTS. If you’re not familiar with the term, one-shots are samples that AREN’T loops. If you’re just looking for a kick drum or snare sound, that’s completely fine. Splice has many sounds that can be used to create your own instruments and parts. I also think using certain percussion loops is fine, as long as it’s in the background (i.e.: don’t use the loop as your “beat”). I’m talking about simple tambourine/shaker or even hi-hat parts that can be layered on your existing drum pattern. Just use your common sense… Anything that ISN’T particularly distinct. If you were going to play your music to Shazam, would it recognize that loop? If the answer is NO, then YouTube and other platforms that can detect this kind of stuff shouldn’t be able to tell whether you’re using loops or not. THAT’S the secret. In retrospect, I advise against using chord progression loops and especially melodic loops. Melodies CAN be copyrighted, so how would that work if you didn’t come up with it yourself? Once again, the key to using Splice Sounds (and any other similar service) is to use your common sense when selecting sounds. It doesn’t mean that EVERYTHING on there was meant to be used commercially. At the end of the day, they’re there to make money. The only suggestion I can make if you’re planning to use entire melodic/harmonic loops would be to splice them (no pun intended) and trigger each segment using a sampler. That way, you’re actually re-ordering the loop into something new and original. Why would you risk your entire music career?Just to be clear, I’m not demonizing Splice Sounds. I actually think they’re second-best after LANDR Samples, but that doesn’t justify using these services for commercial-purposes. I mean, you read that entire EULA right? Do you seriously want to add that kind of burden on your shoulders? The music industry is risky enough as it is, so there’s really no reason to add more fuel to the fire. However, you can still get away with using some of the samples/loops if you follow my instructions from the previous section. ONE-SHOTS are your safest bet though. I’m also mostly concerned about those of you who want to make exclusive deals with your music. Non-exclusive tracks that end up on TV/Film can also put you at risk. That’s why ORIGINALITY is the best way to mitigate legal disputes. Even if you “accidentally” plagiarize someone else’s music, you can at least prove that you didn’t have access to the recording. That’ll be ONE of your defenses, but if you’re curious to find out more about this, you can continue your journey into copyright law by reading this article. As always, I hope you’ve found everything you were looking for and if you have any questions, don’t be shy. Now go make some music, but be responsible! Sources https://splice.com/terms https://support.splice.com/hc/en-us/articles/360025013734-Splice-Sounds-Licensing-FAQ https://www.gearslutz.com/board/music-for-picture/1245209-composers-problem-sample-purveyor-public-service-announcement.html https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/17/21140838/justin-bieber-changes-running-over-asher-monroe-synergy-splice-sample-melody https://youtu.be/N96HXsaI9xM https://youtu.be/sEnlv1wqx_g https://youtu.be/t9rRuk4oQ9A Is music on Splice copyrighted?Splice Sounds samples are completely royalty-free, which means you can incorporate them in your own compositions and recordings without any further clearance or royalty obligations.
Is everything on Splice royalty100% royalty free
Use sounds for anything.
Do professional producers use Splice?Splice its a very popular music platform that is used by a lot of producers. Splice offers a huge database of royalties free samples that can be used in music production. Next to having a great sample database, it's also possible to get rent-to-own plugins on Splice and even start collaborations with other artists.
How do you add music to Youtube Splice?Open your Splice project. Tap on Audio > Music > Imported Music > Import from Files or Files. Search in Recents or Browse at the bottom of the screen.
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