Soundtrap is a freemium online cross-platform digital audio workstation (DAW) for web browsers that allows users to create music or podcasts online.[2][3] The DAW is operated by Soundtrap AB, which was a subsidiary under Spotify between 2017 and 2023.[4] Soundtrap is offered in 15 languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, and Swedish, with the latter four being added in 2017.[5][6]
The DAW includes inputs for external instruments, virtual instrument presets, piano roll and beatmaker, a way to input and export MIDI files,[7] live-collaboration features,[8] and a vocal tuner.[9]
History
Soundtrap developers at the 2015 MTFCentral Hack Camp.
Soundtrap was founded April 1, 2012[1] in Stockholm, Sweden by Björn Melinder, Fredrik Posse, Gabriel Sjöberg, and Per Emanuelsson, who believed that it was too "complex to make music" and who wanted to create a DAW with collaboration features and “a full production environment where you can create professional-sounding songs and podcasts, collaboratively online.”[10] Soundtrap Studio was launched in beta in 2013. The next year, it was featured at Google I/O.[11][12] In 2016, Soundtrap raised $6 million in their Series A round of financing.[13]
Soundtrap's logo from 2013 to 2017.
In 2016, Soundtrap ventured into the Education sector by offering a classroom version of the software. The company became an official Google for Education Partner.[14]
In November 2017, Spotify acquired Soundtrap, with Soundtrap stating that the move was a "culturally, creatively and strategically" great fit.[15][16][17][18] The company had revenues of 900,000 kronor, making it one of Spotify's most expensive acquisitions.[19]
In 2018, Soundtrap won the EdTech Awards for the Arts, Music, Creative Solutions Category.[20][21] The next year, it offered unlimited projects for the free tier without having to upgrade to a better plan.[22][23][24][25]
Soundtrap is split into three programs: Soundtrap for Music Makers, Soundtrap for Storytellers, and Soundtrap for Education.
Soundtrap for Education
Soundtrap for Education was introduced in 2015,[27] being showcased in 2016 at the Future of Education Technology Conference as a way for teachers and students of all ages to explore creative sound making in a safe and secure environment as well as at home.[28][29] The program is COPPA, GDPR and FERPA compliant and is compatible with Google Classroom[30] and Soundtrap for Storytellers.[31]
The program was named "The Best Website for Teaching and Learning" in 2015 by the American Association of School Librarians[32] and was featured on Google for Education's "Creative Apps for Chromebooks" in 2016.[33] It was also given by Common Sense Media, saying that the dashboard was easy to use and that the "extensive video tutorials and support features facilitate use of this tool to its fullest potential."[34]
In March 2020, Soundtrap for Education was made free for the fall semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[35][36] That same year, it was named the "Music Education Solution of the Year" by EdTech.[37][38][39][40][41]
Soundtrap for Storytellers
Soundtrap for Storytellers was introduced on May 24, 2019 as a way for people to create podcasts.[42][43][44][45] The program includes a transcript feature which can record and automatically transcribe a voice, a tool to edit the transcript, and a tool for managing shows and episodes as well as directly upload podcasts to Spotify.[46][47][48] Then in October 2019, the transcription feature was expanded to include French, Spanish,[49]German, Brazilian Portuguese, Portuguese[50] and Swedish.[51][52] The program also has a way to remotely interview guests and to create your own jingle.[53][54]
The program was created to help podcasters with editing, transcribing, remote interviewing, and adding sound effects, as well as having one platform to create podcasts with.[55][56][57] According to the CEO of Soundtrap AB, Per Emanuelsson, Soundtrap for Storytellers "helps teachers differentiate instruction for students of all abilities within one classroom, giving students a compelling way to channel their thoughts and perspectives."[58][59][60]
Soundtrap for Storytellers has been described as the "Google Docs of podcasting."[61]
Soundtrap for Music Makers
Soundtrap for Music Makers was introduced in 2020 and has more features than the free tier, including Auto-Tune, more instruments, and sounds from Splice and Freesound.[62]
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