Frequently Asked Questions

The Sound Marketplace (TSM) is a premium marketplace connecting songwriters, composers, producers, and sound designers with buyers looking for original music, sample packs, sound effects, and song lyrics. Music tracks are scanned for copyright conflicts and AI-generated content before going live, and lyrics are scanned for plagiarism and AI-generated content. Sample packs and sound effects are not currently scanned, since short or generic sounds are difficult to check reliably — sellers are responsible for the originality of these listings.

Anyone can create an account — whether you want to buy music for your next project or sell your original work. One account covers both buying and selling.

Click JOIN in the top navigation and complete the two-step signup. Step one covers your account details. Step two lets you set up your seller profile — this is optional and can be completed anytime from Account Settings.

Yes. TSM is open to buyers and sellers in all countries. Prices are displayed in USD. Stripe handles currency conversion at checkout where applicable.

Your free trial gives you full access to the platform — browsing, purchasing, uploading, and messaging. After 7 days, your membership continues at $5/month. You can cancel anytime before the trial ends and you will not be charged.

Membership gives you full platform access including selling on the marketplace, uploading listings, messaging other members, and access to your library of purchased tracks. Buying on TSM is included with membership. Membership is also available at a discounted annual rate of $50/year.

Yes. You can cancel anytime from Account Settings under Billing. You will retain full access through the end of your current billing period.

Click LOGIN and then "Forgot password?" on the login page. You will receive a reset link at your registered email address.

Contact our support team via the Contact page to request account deletion. Please note that deleting your account will remove your listings and purchase history permanently.

Yes. You must be 18 years of age or older to create a TSM account, and you'll confirm this during signup.

You can purchase Music Tracks (beats, instrumentals, full songs), Song Lyrics, Sample Packs (drum kits, loop packs, construction kits, one-shots, MIDI packs, preset packs, and more), and Sound Effects packs (cinematic, foley, nature, UI, horror, sci-fi, and more).

Music tracks offer four license tiers. The MP3 Lease includes an MP3 file with a 100,000 stream limit and requires producer credit. The WAV Lease includes WAV and MP3 files with a 500,000 stream limit and requires producer credit. The Trackout Lease includes WAV, MP3, and Stems with a 2,000,000 stream limit and requires producer credit. The Exclusive Sale includes WAV, MP3, and Stems with unlimited streams, no credit requirement, and permanently removes the track from the marketplace. Sellers set their own prices for each tier.

On MP3, WAV, and Trackout leases, you are required to credit the producer wherever the music is released. This typically appears in the track description, metadata, or credits section as "Prod. by [producer name]." Credit is not required on Exclusive Sale purchases.

Every track license allows commercial release within its limits. See Schedule 1 of the Terms of Use for what each tier includes.

If your release exceeds the stream limit of your license tier, you should upgrade to a higher tier or purchase an Exclusive Sale. Contact the seller through Messages to arrange this. Continuing to use the track beyond your licensed limits without upgrading may constitute a license violation.

An Exclusive Sale gives the buyer an exclusive, worldwide, perpetual license to use the track with no usage caps. The track comes off the marketplace and won't be sold or licensed again. Leases sold before the exclusive stay valid. The seller keeps authorship credit and their writer's share of performance royalties. See Schedule 1 of the Terms of Use for the exact terms.

Sample packs are collections of royalty-free audio files — drum kits, loops, one-shots, melody loops, bass loops, vocal chops, MIDI files, and more — designed for use in music production. Purchasing a sample pack on TSM grants you a royalty-free license to use the included sounds in your own commercial or non-commercial productions.

Yes. All sample packs sold on TSM are licensed royalty-free, meaning you can use the sounds in commercial productions without paying ongoing royalties. Schedule 1 of the Terms of Use sets out the specific terms.

Sound effects packs contain professional audio files for use in film, video, games, podcasts, and other media. Categories include cinematic impacts, foley, nature and atmosphere, UI sounds, horror tension, sci-fi, crowd and venue, vehicle and mechanical, and more. All SFX packs are sold royalty-free.

After checkout, a purchase receipt is sent to your registered email address immediately. Your purchases are also saved in My Library in your account, where you can re-download them anytime as long as you have an active account.

Yes, as long as you have an active account. All purchases are permanently stored in your Library and can be downloaded again at any time, but you must be signed in with an active TSM account to access Library downloads.

Most sales are final since digital files are delivered instantly, but refunds are available in specific cases: failed delivery, misrepresentation of the item, infringement, unresolved custom orders, or corrupted files. Contact our support team if you believe your purchase qualifies.

Yes. Sellers who have enabled custom orders can be contacted directly through their profile page — click REQUEST CUSTOM ORDER to submit your specs, budget, and deadline. The seller can accept with a set price, decline, and you'll pay securely through TSM checkout once accepted. Custom orders include up to 2 rounds of revisions.

Track previews include the seller's voice tag to protect their work before it's purchased. Your download is always the clean, original file with no tag.

Yes. Every sample pack and sound effects pack page lists the sounds inside the pack, each with its own play button. Previews are short, lower-quality clips, and sounds 3 seconds or longer carry a voice tag every 10 seconds. You get the full-quality files, with no voice tag, when you buy the pack.

You can sell Music Tracks (beats, instrumentals, full songs, sound design), Song Lyrics, Sample Packs (drum kits, loop packs, construction kits, one-shots, MIDI packs, preset packs, FX packs, and full packs), and Sound Effects packs.

Click Upload a Track from the navigation menu and follow the five-step process: choose your listing type, upload your file, add details, set your pricing, and submit for review. Listings go live once they pass our content scanning process.

Select Sample Pack or Sound Effects on the upload type screen. Choose your pack type, upload your ZIP file, enter the file count and format, set your flat price, and submit. Sample packs and SFX packs are sold at a flat rate with royalty-free usage rights included.

For music tracks, the seller chooses the price for each of the four license tiers — MP3 Lease, WAV Lease, Trackout Lease, and Exclusive Sale. Each tier has a suggested price based on industry standards, but sellers are free to set their own. TSM takes a 5% commission on each sale.

Sample packs and sound effects packs are sold at a single flat price that the seller chooses. There are no lease tiers for these listing types. TSM takes a 5% commission on each sale.

TSM takes a 5% commission on every sale. This is deducted from your earnings at the point of transaction. There are no additional payment processing fees on top of this — TSM absorbs Stripe fees.

No. You can upload unlimited listings starting immediately, including during your 7-day free trial. There is no cap at any point.

Producer credit is the name that appears on your listing as "Prod. by [your name]." It is required on all lease tier purchases so buyers know who created the music. You set your producer credit name during the upload process.

A split sheet lets you define how earnings are divided between co-producers on a track. When you upload, you can search for and add up to four collaborators who already have a TSM account, and assign each a percentage of the sale proceeds — splits must total 100%. Each collaborator receives an email notification when they're added, and must verify their payout details through Stripe before they can be paid automatically on future sales.

For music tracks, your submission is scanned for copyright conflicts using AudD and scanned separately for AI-generated content using ACRCloud. For lyrics, your submission is scanned using Copyleaks for both AI-generated content and plagiarism. Sample packs and sound effects are not currently scanned for copyright or AI content, since short or generic sounds are difficult to check reliably. This process typically takes just a few minutes. You will receive an email notification when your listing goes live.

We're sorry if your listing didn't make it through review. Listings may be rejected if they contain copyrighted material that you do not have the rights to sell, if they are detected as AI-generated, or if they violate TSM's content policies. Our scanning tools are not 100% accurate and can occasionally flag original work in error. You will receive an email explaining the reason. If you believe a rejection was made in error, please contact support and we'll take a closer look.

If a scan flags a potential issue, your listing is held out of the marketplace and a support ticket is automatically created so our team can review it. You'll be notified and can submit an explanation directly from your Dashboard's Listings tab, which is sent to our support team. Listings show a status of Flagged, Under Review, or Removed while this is in progress. Once our team makes a decision, your listing status updates automatically. We know our scanning tools aren't perfect, and on rare occasions a genuine, original work can be incorrectly flagged. We're sorry when that happens — it's frustrating, and we don't take it lightly. As detection technology improves, we expect false flags to become less common, and our team reviews every dispute individually rather than relying on the scan alone. Repeated or confirmed violations may result in account action.

Payouts are processed via Stripe Connect. Connect your bank account from your Dashboard under Payouts to receive funds. Once connected, completed sales are batched into a payout sent weekly, and funds are typically available within 2–7 business days after that payout is sent.

If your membership lapses, your listings will be taken offline until your membership is reinstated. Your listings and account data are not deleted — they will be restored when you reactivate.

Yes. You can toggle custom orders on or off from your Account Settings or your seller profile at any time. When enabled, buyers can submit a structured custom order request directly from your profile, which you can accept with a price, decline, or discuss further via Messages. Custom orders include up to 2 rounds of revisions as part of the agreed price.

A voice tag is a short audio clip, like you saying your producer name, that plays over the previews of your tracks so they can't be used without buying. Go to Account → Tools → Voice Tag, upload an MP3 or WAV under 10 seconds and 2 MB. It plays every 10 seconds on all your previews. Your tag must be your own voice or sound, not AI-generated audio. Changes reach all your track previews within a few minutes. If you don't add your own, your previews use The Sound Marketplace tag. Your tag also plays over the previews of sounds in your sample packs and sound effects that are 3 seconds or longer; shorter one-shots and lyrics are not tagged.

A play counts when a member starts a preview of your track. Each member adds at most one play per track every 30 minutes, and your own listens don't count.

No. A preview clip is optional. When you upload a pack, TSM unpacks your ZIP and makes a short preview of every sound inside it automatically, so buyers can hear each one on your pack page. Sounds 3 seconds or longer get your voice tag (or the TSM tag) every 10 seconds. If you do upload a preview clip, it's used as the pack's main preview.

Music tracks and lyrics are both scanned for AI-generated content, using different tools suited to each format — ACRCloud for tracks and Copyleaks for lyrics. Our platform values original human creativity, and content detected as AI-generated is subject to review and may be removed. Sample packs and sound effects are not currently scanned for AI-generated content — short or generic sounds are difficult to check reliably, so sellers are fully responsible for their originality. We do not make unverifiable claims about the origin of content — our scanning tools help identify AI-generated audio and text, and we act on those findings, though no scan is guaranteed to catch every instance.

Music tracks are scanned using ACRCloud, an AI audio detection tool, before going live. Lyrics are scanned using Copyleaks, which checks for both AI-generated text and plagiarism. Neither tool is guaranteed to catch every instance, and content flagged by either scanner is held for review. Sample packs and sound effects are not currently scanned this way, since short or generic sounds are difficult for detection tools to assess reliably. Sellers certify at the time of upload that their submission is their original work.

This is an evolving area. At this time, TSM's scanning focuses on fully AI-generated audio. If you use AI tools as part of your creative process but are the primary creative author of the work, we recommend disclosing this in your track description. TSM reserves the right to update this policy as the industry and technology evolve.

Music tracks are scanned using AudD, which checks audio against a database of copyrighted recordings, separately from the AI-detection scan. This scan is not 100% accurate and is not guaranteed to catch every instance of a conflict. If a conflict is detected, the listing is held for review and will not appear on the marketplace until resolved. Lyrics are not currently scanned for copyright conflicts against existing songs — only for plagiarism and AI-generated content via Copyleaks. Sample packs and sound effects are not scanned for copyright conflicts at all, since short or generic sounds are difficult to match reliably — sellers are responsible for clearing the rights to everything they upload.

Yes. If your track contains samples from other recordings, you are responsible for clearing those samples before listing. TSM's copyright scan checks for recognizable copyrighted material, but it is not a substitute for proper sample clearance. Selling tracks with uncleared samples may expose you to legal liability.

TSM complies with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Our full DMCA process, including our registered copyright agent's contact details, is set out in our DMCA Policy (Terms of Use, Section 15). Please submit takedown notices to our designated agent as described there, rather than through the Contact page.

At upload, sellers certify that their submission is their original work and does not infringe any third-party rights. Submitting false certifications may result in immediate account termination and may expose you to legal liability.

The seller retains ownership of the music after a lease sale. The buyer receives a license to use the track within the terms of the lease — including stream limits and credit requirements. The seller may continue licensing the track to other buyers.

An Exclusive Sale gives the buyer an exclusive, worldwide, perpetual license to use the track with no usage caps. The track comes off the marketplace and won't be sold or licensed again. Leases sold before the exclusive stay valid. The seller keeps authorship credit and their writer's share of performance royalties. See Schedule 1 of the Terms of Use for the exact terms. We recommend consulting a music attorney for significant exclusive purchases.

Yes. License terms are set out in Schedule 1 of the Terms of Use, which you agree to at checkout, and are legally binding. Keep your purchase receipt for your records.

If a buyer uses your track beyond the terms of their license — for example, exceeding stream limits without upgrading — you may have grounds for a license violation claim. Contact TSM support and we will assist where possible. For significant violations, we recommend consulting a music attorney.

Yes, all TSM license tiers permit distribution to major streaming platforms within the stream limits of your tier. The MP3 Lease covers up to 100,000 streams, the WAV Lease covers up to 500,000 streams, the Trackout Lease covers up to 2,000,000 streams, and only the Exclusive Sale has no stream limit.

You can register your master recording (the song you wrote and recorded using the beat) with a PRO. However, the producer retains publishing on the underlying instrumental composition for lease tiers. For an Exclusive Sale, publishing terms depend on what is specified in Schedule 1 of the Terms of Use. Review those terms carefully and consult an attorney if you are unsure.

Yes. TSM is available to EU residents. We comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). You have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of your personal data at any time. To exercise these rights, contact us through the Contact page. Our Privacy Policy contains full details of how we collect, process, and store your data.

Yes. TSM is available to California residents. TSM honors California privacy rights as described in the Privacy Policy. To exercise your rights, contact us through the Contact page.

Yes. TSM is available to Canadian residents. We comply with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). Canadian residents have the right to access their personal information and to challenge its accuracy. To exercise these rights, contact us through the Contact page.

All prices on TSM are displayed in US Dollars (USD). Stripe handles currency conversion for international buyers at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of purchase.

Tax obligations vary by country. TSM displays prices exclusive of local taxes. Depending on your jurisdiction, VAT or other taxes may apply to your purchase and may be added at checkout by Stripe. TSM recommends consulting a local tax advisor for guidance specific to your situation. This is not tax advice.

Yes. Earnings from selling on TSM may be subject to income tax in your jurisdiction. For eligible US-based sellers, Stripe will issue a Form 1099-K directly if you receive over $20,000 and more than 200 transactions in a calendar year (2025 tax year thresholds — check current IRS guidance, as thresholds are subject to change). International sellers are responsible for understanding and complying with their local tax obligations. This is not tax advice — please consult a tax professional.

TSM collects only the data necessary to operate the platform — including account information, purchase history, and payment data processed by Stripe. We do not sell your personal data to third parties. Full details are in our Privacy Policy.

Contact us through the Contact page to request deletion of your personal data. We will process your request in accordance with applicable law. Note that some data may be retained for legal or financial compliance purposes.

TSM accepts WAV, AIFF, FLAC, and MP3 files for music track uploads. WAV at 24-bit/44.1kHz or higher is recommended for the best quality. Maximum file size is 500MB per track.

Sample packs and sound effects packs should be uploaded as ZIP files containing your audio files. WAV at 24-bit/44.1kHz is the industry standard and strongly recommended. MIDI files, preset files (.fxp, .nmsv), and other formats may also be included within the ZIP. Maximum ZIP size is 2GB. Packs must be ZIP files; RAR and other archive types aren't accepted. To make a ZIP on Mac, right-click your folder and choose Compress. On Windows, right-click it and choose Send to → Compressed (zipped) folder.

WAV and MIDI files from TSM sample packs are compatible with all major DAWs including Ableton Live, FL Studio, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Studio One, GarageBand, Bitwig, and more. Preset packs are synth-specific — check the pack description for compatibility details.

If your upload fails, check your internet connection and file format, then try again. If the issue persists, contact our support team through the Contact page with details of the error and we will assist you.

Yes. All payments on TSM are processed securely through Stripe. TSM never stores your card details on our servers. Stripe is PCI DSS compliant.

TSM works best on modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. We recommend keeping your browser updated to the latest version for the best experience.

The TSM Plugin brings The Sound Marketplace into your music software. You can browse tracks, sample packs and sound effects, hear previews, match loops to your song's tempo and key, and drag the sounds you've bought straight into your project. It's free for TSM members and anyone on the free trial.

On Windows and Mac it works as a VST3 plugin in Ableton Live, FL Studio, Reaper, Cubase, Studio One, Bitwig and most other music software. On Mac it also works as an Audio Unit in Logic Pro and GarageBand. Pro Tools isn't supported yet. There's also a standalone app if you want to use TSM without music software.

Download the installer for Windows or Mac from the TSM Plugin page (thesoundmarketplace.com/plugin) and run it. Then open your music software, add TSM Plugin to any track as an effect, and click Sign in to TSM. Your browser opens The Sound Marketplace: check that the code matches the one in the plugin and click Connect Plugin. The plugin signs in on its own.

Yes. You never type your password into the plugin: you approve a one-time code on thesoundmarketplace.com while signed in to your account. The plugin's sign-in is stored in your computer's own password vault (Windows Credential Manager or the Mac Keychain). You can see every connected computer and sign any of them out under Account → Tools. TSM will never ask you for a plugin code by email, message or phone.

You can browse and preview everything in the plugin. When you click Buy, the listing opens on The Sound Marketplace, so checkout happens on TSM's secure website — the plugin never handles your payment details. Your purchase then appears in the plugin under My Purchases, ready to download.

Turn on Match Tempo and the plugin reads your song's tempo from your music software, then speeds up or slows down loops that have a BPM to fit, without changing their pitch. Turn on Match Key and choose your song's key (music software doesn't share the key with plugins), and sounds that have a key are shifted to fit; a minor key also fits its relative major. Previews play matched, and when you drag a purchased sound into your project you get a matched copy. Your original file is never changed. One-shots and sounds without a BPM or key play as they are.

Purchases you download in the plugin are saved in a TSM Library folder inside your computer's Music folder, one folder per purchase. Sample and SFX packs are unzipped for you. Matched copies are saved in a Matched folder next to the originals. You can open the folder anytime with Show in Folder.

You can reach our support team through the Contact page or via the support chat available on every page. We aim to respond to all inquiries within 1–2 business days.

Use the Contact page to report any issues with a track or seller. Please include as much detail as possible — the track or seller name, the nature of the issue, and any relevant screenshots. We take all reports seriously.

To report a DMCA violation, contact us through the Contact page with your full name and contact information, a description of the copyrighted work you believe has been infringed, the URL of the listing on TSM, and a statement that you have a good faith belief the use is unauthorized. We will process your notice in accordance with the DMCA.

We aim to respond to all support requests within 1–2 business days. For urgent issues, use the support chat available on every page of the platform.