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What is functional or generic music and why can't you distribute it?
What is functional or generic music and why can't you distribute it?
Updated over a week ago

Functional or generic music refers to audio recordings that are not music. Random Sounds does not distribute this type of content.

This is also known as white noise, sound effects, background music, sound design, functional sound, non-musical noise, etc.

The most common examples are:

  • Nature sounds:

    • Waterfalls

    • Rain

    • Ocean waves

    • Animal calls/sounds

    • Thunder/lightning, etc.

  • White noise:

    • Car horns

    • Traffic

    • Doorbells

    • Ringing noises

    • Airplane noises, etc.

Why doesn't Random Sounds distribute this type of content?

The short answer: Random Sounds is a music distributor and this is not music.

Music platforms (our partners) are full of this type of content, so much so that this already represents a big problem for the music industry. They no longer need any new recording of rain sound (or any other generic sound) in their services.

Platforms and companies that own and manage music rights are working to completely remove this type of content from royalty distribution systems.

Music royalty distribution systems are built on music-based copyright laws. These recordings are taking advantage of laws that were created to protect the rights of songwriters and record labels, to monetize generic sounds.

What happens if you try to distribute this type of content?

Our content review team will reject any content that is considered generic.

If we notice that you have been uploading this type of content after a warning, we will remove your catalog and block your account, as you will be flagged as a fraudulent user.


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