Music creation platform Splice has acquired Spitfire Audio, the UK-based developer of high-end virtual instrument libraries.
The acquisition marks Splice’s entry into the fast-growing plugin space, adding to the company’s Splice Sounds subscriptions and rent-to-own businesses. The plugin market alone is valued at $640 million, while the wider music software and services sector exceeds $7 billion.
Since launching its Splice Sounds platform in 2015, Splice has become a key player in modern music production. One million sounds are downloaded every day from its sample catalogue.
Splice has more than 10 million music producers and creators using its ethical AI-powered platform.
Founded in 2007, Spitfire Audio has become an established platform for composers, producers, artists and musicians. The British company provides virtual instrument libraries, including recordings by Hans Zimmer, Olafur Arnalds, the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, BBC Symphony Orchestra, and Abbey Road Studios.
“The teams at Spitfire Audio and Splice have deep respect for composers, musicians and producers and are committed to celebrating and supporting their work”, said Kakul Srivastava, CEO of Splice. “We’re both sound-first, creator-led companies who believe great software and technology can supercharge the creative experience.
Our shared vision is to develop tools that expand – not replace – human creativity
Kakul Srivastava
“Our shared vision is to develop tools that expand – not replace – human creativity,” Srivastava added. “With Spitfire’s expressive instruments and Splice’s AI-powered platform, we’re just beginning to explore what’s possible.”
The companies are set to start work on new products that blend Spitfire Audio’s cinematic soundscapes and orchestral expertise with Splice’s sample catalogue and AI-powered discovery engine.
“We’ve always focused on inspiring people to create extraordinary music,” said Paul Thomson, who co-founded Spitfire Audio with Christian Henson. “With Splice, we can now bring that inspiration to a whole new generation of artists, producers, and storytellers.”
The combined company is well positioned to capitalise on growth in the music creation market, which is projected to nearly double to $14 billion by 2031, according to MIDiA Research.
“Splice has already built an incredible business,” added Olivier Robert-Murphy, CEO of Spitfire Audio. “Joining forces means Spitfire Audio’s sounds will find new homes in studios around the world—whether that’s a bedroom producer or a blockbuster composer.”
Both Splice and Spitfire Audio will continue to operate independently in the near term. Robert-Murphy will remain CEO of Spitfire Audio, reporting to Srivastava, while Thomson will continue to oversee Spitfire Audio’s creative direction.
PHOTO: (L-R) Paul Thomson and Kakul Srivastava (photo by Matthew Johnson)
FOLLOW 
