Sonoton
sonoton.com
What it is
Sonoton provides a web platform for searching production music and managing licensing. Its catalogue offers access to hundreds of thousands of tracks, searchable with filters; users can also request curated suggestions from consultants. Trackster finds similar tracks from an MP3 or WAV upload or a YouTube, SoundCloud or Vimeo URL. License applications can be managed with price estimates and support. Sonoton says licenses cover synchronization and usage rights for both the composition and recording from one source, generally in perpetuity unless the production changes. It states that layouts, advertising cutdowns, DVD or Blu-ray copies and language versions do not incur extra fees. Some commissioned broadcast productions may be free when the broadcaster has a GEMA contract, with usage notification required; advertising, branded content and certain secondary uses require licensing. Online payment is available, and many creations can be licensed for use immediately after payment. Sonoton is based in Munich and traces its library to 1965. Its services are directed to commercial and self-employed business users. Pricing is on request, though listed license examples vary by use.
Spec sheet
- Product
- Sonoton provides a production music search platform and music licensing workflow.Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
- Support
- Sonoton offers support and advice on music selection, management, pricing, and licensing by phone, email, and chat.Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
- Headquarters
- Munich, GermanyRead 4 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
- Founded
- 1965Read 4 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
- Approval limit
- Audio productions without voice-over, especially commercial releases, require Sonoton Music approval.Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
- Catalogue
- The site says its search platform provides access to hundreds of thousands of production music tracks and powerful filters.Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
- Company and location
- The website identifies the company as Sonoton Music GmbH & Co. KG at Schleibingerstraße 10, 81669 Munich, Germany.Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
- Free use limits
- Some commissioned broadcast productions are free when the broadcaster has a GEMA contract, while advertising, branded content, and certain secondary uses require licensing.Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
- GEMA
- Sonoton states its music is part of the GEMA World Repertoire and that GEMA administers its own policies.Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
- History
- The founders’ interview says Gerhard Narholz started the music library in 1965 and that he and Heidi started the company together.Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
- Intended customers
- Sonoton’s terms say its services are directed to business users acting in a commercial or self-employed capacity.Read 5 Oct 2026 · t1.sonoton.com
- License inclusions
- Sonoton says it charges no extra fees for layouts, advertising cutdowns, DVD or Blu-ray copies, or language versions.Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
- Licensing
- Sonoton says licenses include synchronization and usage rights for the composition and recording from one source, with license periods in perpetuity unless the production changes.Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
- Online payment
- Sonoton says online payment is available and many creations are licensed for use immediately after payment.Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
- Trackster
- Trackster finds similar tracks by audio, accepting MP3 or WAV uploads and YouTube, SoundCloud, or Vimeo URLs.Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
- Workflow
- Users can search tracks, request curated suggestions from consultants, and manage license applications with price estimates and support.Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
Plans and prices
Radio & TV commissioned productions Free Generally free when the commissioned broadcaster has a GEMA contract; usage notification required Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
Advertising — Flat rate — 1 City $1.50 a year Per track; valid for 365 days All media · any number of productions for one product Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
Corporate Media — Flat rate, 1 track 1 year 1 brand $1.50 a year Per track; valid for 365 days All media · any number of productions · one brand Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
Advertising — Internet/Cinema/Radio — 1 City $100, paid once Per track and production; worldwide price list, excludes 7% VAT One city · one usage type Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
AV Productions — Non-fiction — G-S-A $100, paid once Per track and production, all media; excludes 7% VAT Non-commercial visual media and streaming Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
Corporate Media — 1 Medium $100, paid once Per track and production, worldwide; excludes 7% VAT Branded content Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
Corporate Media — All media $150, paid once Per track and production, worldwide; excludes 7% VAT Branded content Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
Advertising — TV — 1 City $200, paid once Per track and production; worldwide price list, excludes 7% VAT One city Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
Audio — Podcast $200, paid once Per track and production, worldwide; excludes 7% VAT Audio productions Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
Advertising — All media — 1 City $300, paid once Per track and production; worldwide price list, excludes 7% VAT One city Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Searches hundreds of thousands of production music tracks.
- Trackster accepts audio files and several video or audio URLs.
- Licenses combine composition and recording rights from one source.
- Online payment is available for many licenses.
- Support is available by phone, email and chat.
Limits
- Pricing is on request.
- Some productions require Sonoton Music approval.
- Advertising and branded content require licensing.
- Free broadcast use requires a broadcaster GEMA contract.
Who it suits
Sonoton is directed to business users acting commercially or as self-employed professionals who need production music and licensing support. The listed workflows include track search, curated suggestions and license applications.
Verdict
Sonoton brings production music search, similarity matching and licensing workflow together for business users. Check the use-specific terms and request pricing before relying on a track for a production.
Where Specifiction places it
- Stock Music Libraries#14 of 607.9
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