CD Baby can distribute more than just traditional music, but not all audio content is treated the same. If you're working with ambient recordings, ASMR, or other non-musical audio, it's important to understand how these "Production Sounds" are handled across our services and partners. For example, if you're creating a white noise track for sleep or a nature soundscape, you'll want to know which platforms accept it and what limitations apply.

What are Production Sounds?

• Production Sounds (also called “Noise Content” by some platforms) include non-music, non-spoken-word audio. Examples include:
  • White noise, pink noise, black or green noise
  • Nature sounds like rain, ocean waves, or cicadas
  • Voiced and non-voiced ASMR
  • Ambient noise, machine noise, room tone
  • Sound effects, field recordings
  • Silence recordings
  • Language learning content
  • Vehicle or traffic sounds

Can I distribute Production Sounds with CD Baby?

• Yes, but there are important limitations. Some Production Sounds can be distributed to streaming and download partners, but they're not eligible for:
  • Social video monetization (YouTube Content ID, Facebook/Instagram or TikTok monetization)
  • CDB Boost services
  • Sync Licensing
  • MLC or SoundExchange registration
• CD Baby doesn't accept:
  • Colors of Noise or Sound (like pink, white, black, or green noise)
  • Ambient or nature sounds or field recordings without music
  • Sound effects or language-learning content
  • Music created with AI, even if it's commercially licensed (see more below)

Metadata Guidelines

• To avoid delays or rejection:
  • Don't include technical terms in track titles
• Metadata we remove or edit includes:
  • Hertz (Hz)
  • Binaural
  • Subliminal
  • 8D audio
  • Frequency numbers like 432, 528, 963, or 7.83

How are Production Sounds treated at our partners? 

Spotify

• Labels Production Sounds as Noise Content
• Requirements:
  • Minimum track length is 2 minutes
  • Shorter tracks may be removed or unpaid
  • Noise Content is paid about 80 percent less than standard music
  • These decisions are final and can't be appealed

Deezer

• Labels Production Sounds content as Noise Content
• May remove:
  • Tracks not streamed within 12 months
  • Albums with repetitive versions of the same song

Can I distribute AI-generated content through CD Baby?

• No. We cannot accept any AI-generated content, even if it's commercially licensed.
• Even if you contributed original sounds to the recording, and only part of the recording is AI, we are still unable to distribute this content.
• If we find that you've delivered AI-generated content through your CD Baby account, we will remove it from distribution. 
• Continued attempts to distribute AI content may result in us no longer being able to work with you.

Things to note

• Distribution partner policies can change, so what's accepted today may not be tomorrow
• We'll do our best to keep you informed, but we can't guarantee future eligibility
• Repackaging or reissuing previously distributed Production Sounds isn't allowed