Newly launched Splice platform aims to change the music production game

While the Internet has ushered in a new era of digital music collaboration that can transcend physical distance, the process remains far from easy. Missing samples, corrupted files and other technical snafoos still threaten each online exchange between music producers. In a content-driven profession in which ease and efficiency are vital to maximizing output, Splice offers a new beacon of hope.

Founded by GroupMe’s Steve Martocci and Matt Aimonetti, formerly of LivingSocial and Sony Playstation, Splice today launched its site, blog and private beta waitlist, after raising a $2.75 million seed round led by Union Square Ventures in partnership with True Ventures, Lerer Ventures, SV Angel, First Round Capital, Code Advisors, Rob Wiesenthal, David Tisch, and Turntable.fm’s Seth Goldstein. Industry bigwigs clearly believe in it, so what makes Splice so special?

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For starters, the software augments, enhances and streamlines the capabilities of digital audio workstations like Ableton Live. Splice offers seamless integration between its servers and producers’ workflows, automatically backing up every tweak, change and edit made. Projects can easily be shared, loaded, and edited by any of the collaborators who have been granted access to the project, transforming what was once a lengthy and cumbersome process into a simple option within a sleek and refined interface. Even lone wolf producers will find plenty of value in Splice’s enhanced workflow, which displays and analyzes each track component, whether it be MIDI, audio, instruments or plug-ins.

How does it work? Users simply download the client and the cloud takes care of backing up all of the requisite project and audio files, allowing all producers access to every element and revision via an intuitive historical timeline. Splice also promotes dialogue between collaborators by allowing comments on each revision, helping simulate the “additional ears” aspect that is so crucial to real-time collaboration. Once ready, users can easily bounce their track to Splice’s audiovisual DNA player, which extends beyond simple waveforms in displaying the entire arrangement of elements and samples alongside the exported audio.

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Splice also promises to be much more than just a collaborative sandbox for producers. Splice’s creators have emphasized the potential of an open-source approach to the way in which music is shared, enjoyed and understood by artists and fans alike. By bringing musicians together and recording the processes through which they interact, Splice’s programmers have enabled artists to throw back the curtain from their creations and show others how they came together. Where listeners could previously only play a final product like an audio file, Splice allows access to the living tapestry of elements and sound that characterized its creation.

While Splice is currently only compatible with Ableton Live, its creators have made it clear that other DAWs will soon be supported. To get more information and sign up for the private beta waitlist , visit Splice’s website here.

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