AI Content Policy

Insound exists for human artists making real music. That's the whole point. This policy explains where we draw the line on AI-generated content, and why.

We're not anti-technology. Artists have always used tools — samplers, drum machines, auto-tune, algorithmic reverbs. We're not going to pretend a compressor plugin is fundamentally different because it has a neural network in it. But there is a line between a tool that helps an artist make their work and a system that replaces the artist entirely. This policy is about that line.

1. What's permitted

AI-assisted production tools — Yes

Mastering services, mixing assistants, noise reduction, stem separation, EQ matching, intelligent compression, pitch correction — all fine. These are production tools. You're still the one making the music. If a human wrote it, performed it, and is responsible for the creative decisions, the tools you used to polish it are your business.

AI-assisted composition aids — Yes

Using AI to generate chord suggestions, melodic ideas, or arrangement sketches that you then develop, rewrite, and make your own is permitted. The key word is assist. If you used it as a starting point and the final work is yours, that's fine.

AI-generated cover art — Permitted with disclosure

We know not every independent artist can afford a designer. If you use AI to generate or substantially create your cover artwork, tag it as AI-generated when you upload. We'll display a small disclosure on the release page. No penalty, no judgement — just transparency.

2. What's not permitted

Fully AI-generated tracks — No

If the composition, arrangement, and performance were generated entirely by AI — with no meaningful human creative input beyond a text prompt or parameter adjustment — it doesn't belong on Insound. This platform is for artists. A prompt is not a performance.

AI-generated vocals — No

Synthetic voices, AI voice clones, and text-to-speech vocals are not permitted, whether they imitate a real person or not. The voice is the artist. If the vocal on the track isn't a human being singing or speaking, it doesn't meet our standard. This applies even if the underlying composition is entirely human-made.

Vocoder effects, pitch correction, and vocal processing are fine — those are applied to a real human vocal. The distinction is: did a person actually sing it?

AI-cloned reproductions of other artists — No

Using AI to replicate another artist's voice, style, or likeness — whether they're on Insound or not — is not permitted. This isn't just a policy issue, it's an integrity one.

3. The grey area

We know this isn't always black and white. A track might use AI-generated backing elements with human vocals and human-written lyrics. A producer might use AI to generate a drum pattern, then chop and rearrange it beyond recognition.

Our standard is: a human artist must be responsible for the substantive creative decisions in the work. If you could remove the AI-generated elements and the track would lose its identity, that's a problem. If the AI contributed raw material that you shaped into something that's genuinely yours, that's probably fine.

If you're unsure, email dan@getinsound.com before you upload. We'd rather have the conversation upfront than take something down later.

4. How we handle violations

We don't use automated AI-detection tools. They're unreliable, they produce false positives against legitimate artists, and we don't think an algorithm should be making these calls. All reviews are done by a human.

The process:

• Report. Anyone can flag a release by emailing dan@getinsound.com with the release URL and the concern.
• Review. We review the report and the release. If we need more context, we'll contact the artist directly.
• Decision. If the release clearly violates this policy, we'll take it down and notify the artist with an explanation. If it's borderline, we'll work with the artist to resolve it — editing metadata, adding disclosure, or in some cases, removing the release.
• Appeal. Artists can respond to any takedown decision by replying to the notification email. We'll re-review with any additional context provided.

First violations are handled as takedowns with notice, not account bans. Repeated or deliberate violations — uploading entirely AI-generated catalogues while claiming them as original work, for example — may result in account removal.

5. Why this matters

Insound is for independent and unsigned artists. The people who sign up here are putting real work into their music — writing, recording, performing, producing. The value of this platform depends on that being true for everyone on it.

If we allow fully AI-generated content alongside human-made music without distinction, we devalue the work of every artist here. We're not going to do that.

This policy will evolve as the technology does. When it changes, we'll update this page and notify artists by email. We won't retroactively apply stricter rules to existing uploads without notice.

6. Contact

Questions about this policy, or unsure whether your release qualifies: dan@getinsound.com