Variations is a Splice feature that creates five new, unique versions of any licensed Splice sample, matched to the key and tempo of your session, so you can explore fresh ideas without leaving your DAW. This article explains what Variations are, where you can use them, how licensing and credits work, and how the original sample creators are paid.
Note: You need an eligible Splice plan to license samples and create Variations. For step-by-step instructions, see How do I use Variations in the Splice Sounds plugin? or How to use Variations in Ableton 12.4+.
What are Variations?
Variations uses Splice intelligence to generate new versions of a human-made Splice sample. Every Variation starts from a sound created by a real person, keeps the character of the original, and is tailored to your project. By default, Variations match the key and tempo set in the plugin or integration and your DAW session, so each one is ready to drop into your track.
Variations is designed to extend the creative value of human-made samples, not replace them. All Splice samples are human-made, and the original creator is compensated when their sound is used to create a Variation.
Where you can use Variations
Variations is currently available in two places:
Splice Sounds plugin (VST3 and AU): Create Variations from any licensed sample inside any compatible DAW. See How do I use Variations in the Splice Sounds plugin?
Splice Ableton Live integration (version 1.2.0 or later, Ableton Live 12.4 or later): Create Variations directly in Ableton Live. See How to use Variations in Ableton 12.4+.
How Variations work
Creating Variations follows the same basic flow in the Splice Sounds plugin and the Ableton Live integration:
Find a sample you want to build on and license it.
Open the Variations tool for that sample and select Create Variations.
Splice generates five unique Variations of the sample, matched to your session's key and tempo.
Preview each Variation, then drag and drop the one you like into your DAW.
You can also fine-tune the results before generating Variations. The available controls depend on where you are using Variations:
Splice Sounds plugin: Set the Scale, adjust pitch weights to favor specific notes, and use adherence to control how closely each Variation follows those pitch weights.
Ableton Live integration: Adjust the complexity of the harmony and rhythm, and set a Target key to define the pitches used in your Variations.
How credits and licensing work for Variations
Sounds+ and legacy Sounds plans: Each Variation requires one credit to license before you can use it in your projects.
Creator, Creator+, and Splice x Ableton Live plans: Variations downloads are unmetered and do not use credits.
Variations are royalty-free and covered by the same license as the original sample. You can use a Variation just like any other Splice sample under the Splice Terms of Use.
You do not need a separate certified license for a Variation. Variations are automatically covered by the copyright license of the original sample. To learn how certified licenses work, see How do I generate a certified license for my samples?
Do creators get paid for Variations?
Yes. Variations are built on licensed Splice samples, and the original creator is compensated when their sound is used. Each Variation you license contributes toward the sample creator's payment from Splice.
Splice's approach to Variations is designed to reward human creators as their work is explored, transformed, and used, consistent with Splice's commitment to ethical AI and creator fairness.
Is Variations trained on my projects or personal data?
No. Variations is trained on licensed, royalty-free content. Splice does not use your projects or personal data to train Variations.
Where to find your Variations
Every Variation you generate is saved to the Created tab in the Library section of the Splice Sounds plugin or the Ableton Live integration. The Created tab shows the BPM and key of each Variation, and you can filter and sort your Variations across sessions to find the right one for your project.
Next steps
Ready to create your first Variation? Follow the guide for the tool you are using: