Pro Sound Effects Partners with Musical AI for AI Training Licensing

Pro Sound Effects, a leading audio library, has announced a strategic partnership with Musical AI to license select materials for AI training purposes. This collaboration is set to enhance the capabilities of AI in the entertainment industry.

Details of the Agreement

 

As part of the agreement revealed on Tuesday, Pro Sound Effects will provide Musical AI with access to specific recordings from its extensive catalog, which boasts over 1.2 million sounds, ranging from explosions to windchimes to aircraft noise. Importantly, Pro Sound Effects retains the authority to determine how this material is licensed and utilized. Their impressive catalog has been featured in major projects such as Dune, Oppenheimer, and The Batman.

Utilization of Sounds in AI Training

 

The sounds will be incorporated into training datasets for Musical AI’s clients, with Beatoven being the first generative AI music generator to benefit from this collaboration. Musical AI will provide feedback to Pro Sound Effects on how their materials are utilized in AI outputs, ensuring that each output is “tagged” with the names of the rightsholders whose works contributed to its creation.

Ensuring Fair Compensation for Creators

 

This innovative approach aims to “facilitate fair and proportional royalty payments to creators,” according to Musical AI. By clearly defining the role of each licensee in the output, the partnership seeks to establish a more equitable framework for compensation.

Previous Collaborations and Industry Context

 

Last year, Musical AI made headlines by partnering with Symphonic, an indie music distribution company, marking its first significant deal with a rightsholder.

CEO’s Perspective on the Partnership

 

Sean Power, CEO of Musical AI, described the partnership as a “huge win” for AI companies looking to train their models. He emphasized the “sonic diversity” and “excellent metadata” of Pro Sound Effects’ catalog, stating, “By working together, we’re opening more doors for participation in generative AI while respecting and growing the value of the library PSE has built over the past 20 years.”

Industry Caution and Legal Landscape

 

While major news publishers are actively engaging in high-profile AI licensing deals, the film and television industry has generally adopted a more cautious stance regarding the voluntary contribution of copyrighted works to AI training datasets. Notably, Lionsgate was the first major studio to strike a deal with an AI company, Runway, in 2024. Additionally, the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA has established specific agreements to allow its members to lend their voices for training and replication, focusing on consent and compensation.

Addressing Copyright Concerns

 

Amid ongoing lawsuits from companies and creators alleging that AI firms have misappropriated copyrighted materials, many major companies assert they are utilizing publicly available materials under the premise of “fair use.”

A New Model for AI Training

 

In contrast, the deal with Musical AI empowers rightsholders to consent to AI training and ensures they receive appropriate compensation for their contributions. Douglas Price, founder and CEO of Pro Sound Effects, stated that this agreement is “setting the bar” for a model where sound effects are recognized as essential creative tools, fairly licensed, and positioned to drive the future of AI audio innovation.

 

 

Persons

Sean Power, Douglas Price

Company Names

Pro Sound Effects, Musical AI, Beatoven, Symphonic, Lionsgate, Runway, SAG-AFTRA

Titles

Dune, Oppenheimer, The Batman

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