SoundCloud is expanding its involvement in artificial intelligence through a new partnership with ElevenLabs, allowing creators to publish AI-generated music directly from ElevenMusic to SoundCloud.

Announced on 5 November 2026, the integration removes the need for artists to download their AI-generated tracks and upload them separately. Instead, music created using ElevenMusic can be published directly to SoundCloud, connecting AI music creation with one of the industry’s best-known music discovery platforms.

The partnership also introduces new benefits for SoundCloud Artist Pro subscribers, including three months of free access to ElevenMusic Pro.

It represents another significant step in SoundCloud’s AI strategy, as music streaming platforms continue to debate how AI-generated content should be created, identified and distributed.

What is the SoundCloud and ElevenLabs partnership?

The new partnership connects SoundCloud directly with ElevenMusic, the AI music generation platform developed by ElevenLabs.

ElevenLabs originally became known for its AI voice generation technology before expanding into music creation. Its ElevenMusic platform allows users to create original songs, instrumental recordings and other musical content using artificial intelligence.

With the new integration, users can generate music within ElevenMusic and publish the finished recording directly to their SoundCloud profile.

Previously, creators needed to download their finished audio files and manually upload them to SoundCloud.

Although this might seem like a relatively small technical improvement, it could encourage more ElevenMusic users to share their creations publicly by making the publishing process easier.

SoundCloud is also the first external music platform to offer direct publishing from ElevenMusic, giving it an early position within ElevenLabs’ growing music creation ecosystem.

Both companies have indicated that they intend to explore further opportunities together, suggesting the integration could eventually expand beyond direct publishing.

What is ElevenMusic and how does it work?

ElevenMusic is an AI-powered music creation platform that allows users to generate and experiment with music using natural language instructions.

Rather than needing traditional music production software, users can describe the type of music they want to create.

For example, a creator could request an upbeat electronic dance track with energetic drums, atmospheric synthesizers and a catchy vocal melody.

The system can generate a recording based on those instructions, including instrumental arrangements and vocals.

ElevenMusic also includes features that allow users to:

• Generate songs from text prompts, lyrics and musical ideas.
• Experiment with different genres, moods and arrangements.
• Create instrumental music or tracks featuring vocals.
• Modify existing song sections and refine their sound.
• Separate recordings into individual audio stems.
• Experiment with remixes and alternative versions of songs.

ElevenLabs has continued improving its music generation technology since first entering the market in 2025.

Its newer models offer more sophisticated vocal generation, better musical arrangements and greater control over individual sections of a song.

The company says users have already generated more than 25 million tracks using its music models.

Connecting this growing catalogue of AI-generated recordings with SoundCloud could substantially expand the audience for music produced using ElevenLabs’ technology.

SoundCloud Artist Pro subscribers get three months of ElevenMusic Pro free

Alongside the publishing integration, SoundCloud and ElevenLabs are offering an incentive for existing SoundCloud creators to experiment with AI music.

New and existing SoundCloud Artist Pro subscribers can claim three months of ElevenMusic Pro at no additional cost through SoundCloud’s Member Benefits programme.

The subscription includes expanded music creation features, with monthly allowances of up to:

• 1,000 AI-generated song creations.
• 500 stem separations.
• Five custom styles or vocals.

The offer gives SoundCloud artists an opportunity to explore generative AI music tools without immediately taking out a separate paid subscription.

For musicians interested in AI-assisted production, the technology could be useful for developing demos, generating ideas, exploring unfamiliar genres or experimenting with musical arrangements.

Artists should check the terms of the promotional offer and the commercial usage rights attached to the relevant ElevenMusic subscription before releasing their creations.

Will AI-generated music be labelled on SoundCloud?

Yes. Tracks published directly through the new ElevenMusic integration will include platform-specific disclosures identifying ElevenMusic as the source of their creation.

This is an important element of the partnership, particularly as streaming services face growing pressure to distinguish AI-generated content from music created by human artists.

However, the labelling arrangement does not mean that every AI-generated track already available on SoundCloud will automatically receive the same identification.

The disclosure applies specifically to music published through the ElevenMusic integration.

SoundCloud also maintains rules governing AI-generated content, including restrictions on misleading impersonation and unauthorised use of another artist’s voice or identity.

Creators remain responsible for ensuring that their content complies with the platform’s copyright and ownership requirements.

SoundCloud has also published guidance on AI-generated music, including disclosure expectations for creators subject to relevant EU transparency requirements.

SoundCloud is becoming increasingly involved in AI music

The ElevenLabs partnership is not SoundCloud’s first collaboration with an artificial intelligence music company.

In October 2026, SoundCloud announced a separate integration with Moises, an AI-powered music production and editing platform.

That partnership allows artists to import eligible tracks from SoundCloud into Moises, use AI-assisted production tools and publish finished recordings back to SoundCloud.

Moises offers features including stem separation, chord detection, mixing, mastering and collaborative music production.

Unlike ElevenMusic, which can generate complete songs using AI, Moises focuses more heavily on helping musicians manipulate and develop their existing recordings.

SoundCloud has also previously worked with other AI music and creative technology platforms, including Hook and Google’s Flow Music.

Together, these partnerships suggest SoundCloud is positioning itself as a destination not just for music discovery and sharing, but increasingly for AI-powered music creation workflows.

Rather than developing every AI tool internally, the company appears to be building relationships with specialist technology providers.

This could allow SoundCloud to introduce new creative capabilities more quickly while continuing to focus on its existing artist and listener community.

How does SoundCloud’s approach to AI music compare with other streaming platforms?

Music streaming services are taking different approaches to the rapid increase in AI-generated recordings.

Some platforms are introducing tools to identify, label or filter AI-generated music, while others are placing stricter restrictions on the content they accept.

Deezer has invested in AI music detection and introduced tools designed to give listeners more control over whether AI-generated tracks appear in their experience.

Bandcamp has taken a particularly restrictive position on music generated wholly or substantially through artificial intelligence.

SoundCloud, meanwhile, has been comparatively open to hosting AI-generated content, provided it complies with the platform’s existing rules.

Its partnership with ElevenLabs goes further than simply allowing AI music uploads. It actively connects the creation and publishing processes.

This distinction could become increasingly important as AI music generation becomes more accessible.

For SoundCloud, the opportunity is to attract creators experimenting with emerging music technologies.

However, there are also challenges.

An increase in automatically generated recordings could make music discovery more difficult, particularly for independent artists trying to reach new audiences.

Streaming platforms will need to balance the benefits of new creative technologies with protecting artist rights, maintaining listener trust and preventing low-quality or fraudulent uploads.

Does SoundCloud use artists’ music to train AI?

The partnership may also raise questions about whether SoundCloud is allowing ElevenLabs to train AI models using music uploaded by its artists.

SoundCloud’s existing terms state that it will not use members’ content to train generative AI systems that replicate or synthesise their voices, music or likenesses without explicit opt-in consent.

The company strengthened its public commitment to artist consent following concerns about its AI-related terms of use in May 2025.

The new ElevenMusic integration concerns the publishing of AI-generated recordings rather than granting ElevenLabs access to SoundCloud’s existing music catalogue for training.

That distinction matters for artists concerned about how their recordings and intellectual property might be used.

As AI music technology develops, transparency around training data, licensing, consent and commercial rights will remain important issues for the industry.

Can artists distribute AI-generated music to Spotify and Apple Music?

The SoundCloud and ElevenLabs integration is specifically designed for publishing music to SoundCloud.

It does not automatically provide distribution to Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music or other streaming services.

Artists who want to release eligible AI-generated recordings more widely will generally need to use a music distributor and comply with the requirements of each platform.

RouteNote accepts certain AI-generated music releases, provided they meet the company’s moderation requirements and the artist has the necessary usage rights.

However, there are restrictions.

AI-generated content cannot currently be delivered through RouteNote to its Content Recognition options, Amazon or certain Korean music services, including Melon, Genie, Bugs, Flo and Vibe.

Artists must also avoid unauthorised imitation of real musicians and ensure that the AI services they use provide appropriate commercial rights.

For artists considering a wider release, it is important to review both the terms of the AI creation platform and the policies of the music distributor.

Those requirements apply regardless of whether a track was originally published through SoundCloud.

What does the ElevenLabs partnership mean for independent musicians?

For independent artists, the new integration offers another way to experiment with music creation and share the results with listeners.

AI music platforms can reduce some of the technical barriers associated with traditional production, potentially making it easier for people without extensive recording experience to develop musical ideas.

However, the growing accessibility of music generation also creates new questions for the industry.

When creating a finished song becomes easier, standing out and building a genuine audience may become increasingly important.

There is also a difference between generating a recording and building a sustainable career as an artist.

Developing a distinctive sound, engaging with fans, establishing an identity and promoting releases remain important parts of music marketing.

For musicians using AI as part of their creative process, these considerations are unlikely to disappear.

Instead, AI may become another tool within a broader music production and release strategy.

What happens next for SoundCloud and ElevenLabs?

SoundCloud and ElevenLabs have described the new integration as the beginning of a wider collaboration.

Although neither company has announced specific additional features, there are opportunities to connect AI-assisted music production, music discovery and artist communities more closely.

Future developments could potentially include expanded creation tools or more integrated workflows, although these remain possibilities rather than confirmed plans.

The partnership also arrives as competition among AI music companies continues to intensify.

ElevenLabs is competing in a market that includes established AI music platforms such as Suno and Udio, as well as a growing number of music production applications integrating their own AI capabilities.

For SoundCloud, the decision to work with several AI technology providers could help distinguish its offering from other streaming platforms.

Rather than treating AI-generated music exclusively as a challenge to manage, SoundCloud is increasingly treating it as an opportunity to attract creators and expand its platform.

Whether that approach ultimately benefits independent musicians will depend on how effectively SoundCloud manages discovery, transparency, licensing and the increasing volume of AI-created content.

One thing is becoming clear: AI music is moving beyond standalone generation tools and becoming more closely integrated with the platforms where artists publish, promote and share their work.

The SoundCloud and ElevenLabs partnership is another example of that shift.