Trapital Podcast Summary

Episode: Kakul Srivastava on Why Splice Acquired Spitfire Audio
Host: Dan Runcie
Guest: Kakul Srivastava, CEO of Splice
Date: October 2, 2025

Overview

This episode explores Splice’s recent acquisition of Spitfire Audio, its strategic vision for the future of music creation, and the evolving role of AI and data in empowering creators. Host Dan Runcie and Kakul Srivastava discuss product philosophy, merger challenges, the creative economy, and Splice’s positioning at the intersection of technology, business, and artistic innovation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Inspiration & the Role of AI in Music Creation

• Kakul Srivastava opens by drawing inspiration from Stevie Wonder and reflects on cycles of technological disruption in music.
  • Quote: "Synthesizers, people thought they were going to take jobs away...put a tool like that in the hands of an incredible creator...it took music to new heights. I feel like the same thing’s going to happen with AI." – Kakul Srivastava [01:44]
• Splice’s philosophy is: "It's not AI versus the artists, it's artists and AI." – Kakul Srivastava [02:50]

2. Why Splice Acquired Spitfire Audio

• The acquisition extends Splice’s offering from an industry-leading sample library and GenAI tools to now include high-fidelity virtual instruments and a renowned content team.
• Spitfire Audio’s unique value: painstakingly authentic recordings in legendary spaces (e.g., Abbey Road) with real musicians and sophisticated technology.
  • Quote: "The Spitfire Audio team...record real musicians, the greats in their field, playing these incredible instruments...and then they slowly turn that into a digital instrument that any of us can play." – Kakul Srivastava [04:15]
• Technology synergy: Spitfire’s Merlin Audio engine combined with Splice’s GenAI leads to unprecedented instrument innovation.
• Broader vision: The "creator stack" is not just one company, but a collaborative, industry-wide future involving partnerships (Ableton, Studio One, Avid/Pro Tools, etc.) [05:40]

3. M&A Integration Challenges and Learnings

• Merging two companies—across continents and cultures—is difficult.
• The keys to success: shared mission, artist-centric values, and clear objectives.
• Integration lesson: Next time, integrate teams and culture more rapidly to harness collaboration sooner.
  • Quote: "There's a part of me that wishes we'd done that sooner...when you have so many like-minded people, bringing the teams together faster is something I should have done more quickly." – Kakul Srivastava [08:45]
• New product reveal: Splice is 2–3 weeks from launching a novel virtual instrument blending both companies' strengths. [07:43]

4. Product Philosophy: Data-Driven Creativity

• Product, engineering, and data are the core investments at Splice.
• Data is vital not just internally but as a resource for the entire music ecosystem, revealing emerging trends and creator needs.
  • Quote: "Every role that I've been in my career I've over invested in data and it's really paid off for us...those insights are important not just for us, but for the industry as a whole." – Kakul Srivastava [10:08]

5. Creator Insights & Demand for Control

• Splice actively listens to creators using its tools, rapidly iterating based on hands-on feedback—especially with GenAI.
• Creators seek control and respect for their rights, not simply automation.
  • Quote: "They don't want something that just gives them the answer. They want to be able to express themselves." – Kakul Srivastava [15:28]
• The challenge is designing tools that enhance, not replace, artistic intent. Early AI tools often feel "too easy" or "too artificial" for core Splice users. [13:40–15:00]

6. Royalty-Free Business Model and Artist Remuneration in the AI Era

• Royalty-free approach is key for simplicity and growing the market; it removes the administrative headache for creators.
  • Quote: "We take that headache away from the people who use Splice samples and it's been such a value add." – Kakul Srivastava [18:35]
• Many creators make a living via Splice’s platform even without chart-topping hits.
• Splice’s design for GenAI tools links newly generated content back to its original creator, ensuring remuneration—even as tools become more powerful and derivative.
  • Quote: "When you start with a GenAI based experience, you will start with a sample that we know who the music creator...is...that artist, that original sample creator is seeing a Mind Station event." – Kakul Srivastava [19:43]

7. Broader Industry Perspective & The Future of AI

• We are still in the "very early days"; AI will one day be as ubiquitous and unremarkable as the Internet is now.
  • Quote: "I think we're going to look back in five years and just think, oh my God, we were so dumb back then...It's how you do HR software, it's how you manage time cards...I think AI is going to be the same way." – Kakul Srivastava [22:18]
• The main imperative: build tools that empower creators and respect artists’ rights.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Product Inspiration: "I picked Stevie Wonder...he also reminds me that it's not the first time that we have gone through this crazy transition in the music industry." – Kakul Srivastava [01:44]
• On Acquisition Culture Lessons: "It's so hard and you can never really learn how to do it because every company is so different." – Kakul Srivastava [06:36]
• On Creators’ Needs: "They want creative control...They don't want something that just gives them the answer." – Kakul Srivastava [15:28]
• On AI’s Future: "I think it's so early, and I think we're going to look back in five years and just think, oh my God, we were so dumb back then." – Kakul Srivastava [22:11]

Noteworthy Timestamps

• [01:44]: Stevie Wonder, inspiration, and historical perspective on tech disruption in music
• [03:34]: Details of Spitfire Audio acquisition and synergy with Splice
• [06:25]: Candid look at M&A challenges and cultural integration
• [07:58]: New virtual instrument product preview
• [10:08]: Data as the foundation for product and business at Splice
• [13:16]: How user feedback shapes product iteration, especially in AI
• [14:56]: The importance of creator control and respect for their rights
• [18:22]: Deep dive into royalty-free model and future of artist compensation with GenAI tools
• [22:11]: Macro perspective on AI’s evolution and adoption curve

Tone & Atmosphere

The conversation combines excitement about technological possibilities with nuanced, practical insights from the music-tech frontier. Srivastava’s passion for creators, operational rigor, and strategic clarity comes through as she addresses both business and artistic concerns. The tone is candid, optimistic, and deeply grounded in respect for artistic innovation.

This summary covers the rich dynamics among technology, creativity, and business strategy shaping Splice’s growth—and offers a forward-looking snapshot of where music creation is heading in the age of AI.