Back-End Audio Coalition Launches Professional Sound Alliance to Protect Use of Sound Effects in Sync and AI

A group of audio professionals working in sound design, mixing, mastering, and sound effects libraries has joined forces to launch the Professional Sound Alliance (PSA). Their goal is to apply fair licensing for the use of sound effects in film, television, games, and AI training.

The details:

• PSA is addressing two main issues: data piracy and sync piracy.

• Data piracy concerns the unauthorized use of sound effects et al to train AI.

• Sync piracy is using sound effects in movies, TV, video games, and other media without permission.

• PSA describes “professional sound” as everything heard in a media program that isn’t music or voices.

Personnel:

• Founding members of PSA include:

  • Douglas Price, Founder and CEO of Pro Sound Effects.

  • Pierre Langer, CEO of Boom Library.

  • Sound Ideas Vice President Craig Nimens.

  • Emmy-nominated re-recording mixer and former Cinema Audio Society President, Karl Urban.

  • Two-time Academy Award winner, Mark Mangini.

What they said:

• Price: “It’s time professional sound received the same respect and protection every other audio field has earned, for the lifetimes of work our industry has collectively built. If you’ve helped to shape this craft, add your name and stand with us.”

• Mangini: “Sound effects are not a commodity. They are the product of human expertise, human experience, and human artistry. They deserve the same protection as any other creative work.”