# Splice Sounds

**Year:** 2015 (launch)
**Role:** Lead product designer
**Client:** Splice
**Tags:** music, platforms-and-networks
**Case study:** /work/splice-sounds
**Live project:** https://splice.com

In 2015, I led the design for the launch of Splice Sounds — a subscription marketplace for samples, now used by millions of producers worldwide.

![Splice Sounds pack detail with a playable sample list](/work/splice-sounds/02-splice-launch.png)

## Finding product-market fit

Before *Sounds*, Splice's flagship product ("GitHub for music") was a major unlock for producers, but hadn't yet gained mainstream adoption.

At the time, samples were sold in album-like packs. You couldn't preview the pack till after paying $20–200.

CEO Steve Martocci had the idea for a subscription marketplace for samples, and napkin-sketched an iTunes-esque screen layout.

I shaped and designed a v1. Within weeks we launched. Soon after, we surpassed $1M in monthly revenue. The whole v1 ran as a tight founder/lead-designer loop with Steve — no layered approval.

![Splice Sounds genre browser with granular sample previews and filter tags](/work/splice-sounds/03-splice-marketplace.png)

## Rewiring the industry

Today, Splice does $100M+ in annual revenue.

Sounds has had plenty of new features in the decade since launch, but the essential UX and structure remain close to the v1 we launched with.

Every major competitor launched after Sounds, each with a similar UX.

### Used in hits by

Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Drake, The Weeknd, BTS, Adele, SZA, Lil Wayne, Alicia Keys, Travis Scott, Eminem, Nicki Minaj, John Legend, Doja Cat, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Dua Lipa, Post Malone, David Guetta, Chris Brown, Marshmello, Demi Lovato, Young Thug, KAROL G, J Balvin, Lil Baby, Lil Uzi Vert…

![Splice Sounds discovery surface — featured packs, recent releases, and charts](/work/splice-sounds/01-splice-sketch.png)

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