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Sonoton
Munich, Germany
What it is
Sonoton is a production music search and licensing platform for business users, including commercial and self-employed customers. Its catalogue gives access to hundreds of thousands of tracks, with filters to narrow searches. Users can ask consultants for curated suggestions and handle license applications with price estimates and support. Trackster finds similar music from an MP3 or WAV upload, or from a YouTube, SoundCloud, or Vimeo URL. Sonoton says its licenses provide synchronization and usage rights for both the composition and recording from one source, with terms lasting in perpetuity unless the production changes. It also says there are no extra fees for layouts, advertising cutdowns, DVD or Blu-ray copies, or language versions. Some commissioned broadcast productions may be free when the broadcaster has a GEMA contract, with usage notification required; advertising, branded content, and some secondary uses require licensing. Online payment is available, and many creations can be licensed for use immediately after payment. The Munich-based company traces its music library to 1965 and offers support by phone, email, and chat. Pricing varies by license, with examples from $1.50 per year per track to $300.00 per once per track and production; some listed prices exclude 7% VAT.
For and against
For
- Catalogue contains hundreds of thousands of tracks.
- Trackster accepts audio uploads and supported video or music URLs.
- Licenses combine rights for composition and recording.
- Support is available by phone, email, and chat.
Against
- Pricing varies by use and license.
- Some uses require licensing rather than free access.
- Some productions without voice-over require Sonoton Music approval.
The verdict
Sonoton combines production music discovery with a licensing workflow and consultant support. Buyers should check the license terms for their use, since requirements and listed prices vary by production type.
Who it suits
Sonoton is intended for businesses and self-employed professionals seeking production music and licensing. It suits users who need search tools, licensing guidance, or similar-track discovery from audio or links.
Plans and prices
Radio & TV commissioned productions
Generally free when the commissioned broadcaster has a GEMA contract; usage notification required
Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
Corporate Media — Flat rate, 1 track 1 year 1 brand
All media · any number of productions · one brand
Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
Advertising — Flat rate — 1 City
All media · any number of productions for one product
Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
AV Productions — Non-fiction — G-S-A
Non-commercial visual media and streaming
Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
Advertising — Internet/Cinema/Radio — 1 City
One city · one usage type
Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
Corporate Media — 1 Medium
Branded content
Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
Corporate Media — All media
Branded content
Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
Advertising — TV — 1 City
One city
Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
Audio — Podcast
Audio productions
Read 5 Oct 2026 · sonoton.com
On the record
- Approval limit
- Audio productions without voice-over, especially commercial releases, require Sonoton Music approval.sonoton.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Catalogue
- The site says its search platform provides access to hundreds of thousands of production music tracks and powerful filters.sonoton.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Company and location
- The website identifies the company as Sonoton Music GmbH & Co. KG at Schleibingerstraße 10, 81669 Munich, Germany.sonoton.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- 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.sonoton.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- GEMA
- Sonoton states its music is part of the GEMA World Repertoire and that GEMA administers its own policies.sonoton.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- History
- The founders’ interview says Gerhard Narholz started the music library in 1965 and that he and Heidi started the company together.sonoton.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Intended customers
- Sonoton’s terms say its services are directed to business users acting in a commercial or self-employed capacity.t1.sonoton.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- License inclusions
- Sonoton says it charges no extra fees for layouts, advertising cutdowns, DVD or Blu-ray copies, or language versions.sonoton.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- 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.sonoton.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Online payment
- Sonoton says online payment is available and many creations are licensed for use immediately after payment.sonoton.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Product
- Sonoton provides a production music search platform and music licensing workflow.sonoton.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Support
- Sonoton offers support and advice on music selection, management, pricing, and licensing by phone, email, and chat.sonoton.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Trackster
- Trackster finds similar tracks by audio, accepting MP3 or WAV uploads and YouTube, SoundCloud, or Vimeo URLs.sonoton.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Workflow
- Users can search tracks, request curated suggestions from consultants, and manage license applications with price estimates and support.sonoton.com · read 5 Oct 2026
