Overview
The SonoVault API gives you access to music metadata for 80 million tracks and counting. Look up ISRC codes, artist credits, label, genre tags, release dates, and cross-platform IDs — all from a single REST endpoint.
Use it to power music discovery apps, catalog management, sync and royalty tools, or any workflow that needs accurate track-level data.
All responses are JSON. Every request requires an API key in the x-api-key header. There are no SDKs to install — any HTTP client works.
What you can do
- Search tracks by artist and title — returns ISRC, duration, genre, and artist credits.
- Look up by ISRC — get full metadata for a specific recording.
- Resolve cross-platform IDs — given a Spotify, Beatport, Apple Music, Tidal, Discogs, or MusicBrainz ID, get matching IDs on all other platforms.
- Search artists and releases — find artists by name or browse their discography.
- New releases — paginated feed of the latest releases, sorted by artist popularity.
Try it without signing up
Every endpoint on this page has a Try it out button that opens the API explorer. It uses a public demo key so you can make real requests and see live responses — no account required. Click Try it out on any endpoint to get started.
Quickstart
Get from zero to your first API response in under 5 minutes. Create a free account to get an API key — no credit card required.
1. Sign up and verify your email
Create a free account at sonovault.now. We send a verification link to your inbox — click it before making API calls. Until your email is verified, every /v1 request returns 403 Email not verified.
2. Get your API key
Once verified, grab your key from the dashboard. All requests must include it in the x-api-key header.
3. Make your first request
Search for a track by artist and title. The response includes ISRC, duration, genre, and full artist credits.
curl https://api.sonovault.now/v1/tracks/search \-H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY" \-G -d "artist=Daft Punk" \-d "title=One More Time"
4. Explore the API
Now that you have your first result, try looking up the ISRC with the ISRC lookup endpoint or resolve cross-platform links with Platform links.
Authentication
All API requests require a valid API key passed in the x-api-key header.
x-api-key: svk_live_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Test keys prefixed svk_test_ return mocked data. Live keys prefixed svk_live_ hit the real database.
Base URL
All API requests use the following base URL:
https://api.sonovault.now
All endpoints return JSON with Content-Type: application/json. Request parameters are passed as query strings for GET requests.
Rate limits
Rate limits are enforced per API key on a rolling 60-second window. If you exceed your limit, requests return 429 Too Many Requests.
| Tier | Requests/month | Burst (per 60s) |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 1,000 | 20 |
| Starter | 50,000 | 60 |
| Growth | 500,000 | 300 |
| Scale | 5,000,000 | 1,000 |
Every response includes rate limit headers so you can track your usage and avoid hitting limits:
| Header | Description |
|---|---|
RateLimit-Limit | Your burst limit (max requests per 60-second window). |
RateLimit-Remaining | Requests remaining in the current window. |
RateLimit-Reset | Seconds until the current window resets and RateLimit-Remaining refills. |
When you receive a 429 response, wait the number of seconds in RateLimit-Reset before retrying. For batch workloads, check RateLimit-Remaining and throttle proactively rather than waiting for a rejection.
Errors
All errors return a JSON object with an error string:
{"error": "Not found"}
| Status | Description |
|---|---|
400 | Missing or invalid parameters. |
401 | Missing or invalid API key. |
403 | Endpoint requires a paid plan. Upgrade to access browse. |
410 | Endpoint disabled. The endpoint will return in another form later. |
404 | No matching track or resource. |
429 | Rate limit exceeded. Check RateLimit-Reset header for retry timing. |
500 | Unexpected server error. |
FAQ
Track search
Search for tracks by artist and title. Returns ISRC, genre, release dates, and full metadata.
Parameters
| Parameter | In | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| artist | query | string | required | Artist name. |
| title | query | string | required | Track title. |
| limit | query | integer | optional | Max results, 1–100. Default 20. |
| cursor | query | string | optional | Cursor from previous response for pagination. |
Pagination
When more results are available, the response includes a next_cursor string. Pass it as the cursor parameter to fetch the next page:
curl https://api.sonovault.now/v1/tracks/search \-H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY" \-G -d "artist=Daft Punk" \-d "title=Around" \-d "cursor=eyJpZCI6MTIzfQ"
When next_cursor is null, you have reached the last page.
Example response
ISRC lookup
Exact lookup by ISRC code. The ISRC is part of the path — there is no query string. Returns full track detail including genre and subgenre.
Path parameters
| Parameter | In | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| isrc | path | string | required | ISRC code (e.g. GBDUW0000053). |
Example response
Track by ID
Get a single track by its internal SonoVault track ID. Returns the same track payload as ISRC lookup — title, artists, releases, ISRC, duration, genre, and subgenre.
Path parameters
| Parameter | In | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| id | path | integer | required | Internal SonoVault track ID. |
Example response
Platform links
Lightweight cross-platform ID resolver. Given an ISRC or a source-specific ID, returns all known external platform links.
Parameters
| Parameter | In | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| id | query | integer | optional | Internal SonoVault track ID. Provide one lookup param at a time. |
| isrc | query | string | optional | ISRC code. |
| spotify_id | query | string | optional | Spotify track ID. |
| beatport_id | query | string | optional | Beatport track ID. |
| discogs_id | query | string | optional | Discogs release ID. |
| musicbrainz_id | query | string | optional | MusicBrainz recording ID. |
| applemusic_id | query | string | optional | Apple Music track ID. |
| tidal_id | query | string | optional | Tidal track ID. |
Provide exactly one lookup parameter per request: isrc, spotify, beatport, discogs, musicbrainz, applemusic, or tidal.
Example response
Bulk resolve
Resolve up to 100 inputs in a single request — track names, ISRCs, or platform IDs — to canonical SonoVault tracks plus their cross-platform links. One credit is charged per input line. If your monthly quota runs out mid-batch the response is partial: unresolved lines come back with status skipped_no_credits instead of an error.
Request body (JSON)
input_type(string, required) — one oftrack_name,isrc,sonovault_id,spotify_id,applemusic_id,tidal_id,beatport_id,discogs_id,musicbrainz_id.items(array, required) — 1 to 100 entries. Fortrack_name, each entry is an object{ artist, title }; for every other input type, each entry is a string.
Response
results— one entry per input line, in input order:{ input, status, track, links }, wherestatusismatched,not_found, orskipped_no_credits.partial,processed,credits_used,credits_remaining,message— the batch billing summary.
Example response
Browse tracks
Discover tracks by filtering on label, artist, genre, or year. Returns up to 20 tracks ordered by release date (newest first) by default; pass randomize=true to sample 20 random tracks from the top-popularity pool instead. At least one filter parameter is required — calls with no filters return 400. Filter by genre with either genreId (a canonical id from GET /v1/genres) or genre (a free-text exact name) — prefer genreId as it is stable and unambiguous; use genre only to reach rare subgenres that /v1/genres does not list. genre and genreId are mutually exclusive — passing both returns 400.
Parameters
| Parameter | In | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| labelId | query | integer | optional | Filter by label ID. |
| artistId | query | integer | optional | Filter by artist ID. |
| genre | query | string | optional | Exact genre name, case-insensitive (House matches House but not Tech House). Free-text alternative to genreId — use it for rare subgenres not listed by GET /v1/genres. Mutually exclusive with genreId. |
| genreId | query | integer | optional | Canonical genre id from GET /v1/genres — the stable, unambiguous way to filter by genre. Mutually exclusive with genre. |
| year | query | integer | optional | Release year (e.g. 2025). |
| randomize | query | boolean | optional | If true, return 20 random tracks sampled from the top 1000 by popularity instead of the most recent releases. Defaults to false. |
Example response
Artist search
Search for artists by name. Returns each artist with country, formation year (and full formation date when day-level precision is known), social links, and Wikidata ID where available.
Parameters
| Parameter | In | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| name | query | string | required | Artist name to search. |
| limit | query | integer | optional | Max results, 1–100. Default 20. |
| cursor | query | string | optional | Cursor from previous response for pagination. |
Pagination
When more results are available, the response includes a next_cursor string. Pass it as the cursor parameter to fetch the next page:
curl https://api.sonovault.now/v1/artists/search \-H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY" \-G -d "name=Daft Punk" \-d "cursor=0:5000000:1"
When next_cursor is null, you have reached the last page.
Example response
Artist by ID
Get artist by ID. Returns the public artist fields (country, formation_year + optional formation_date, social_links, wikidata_id) flattened alongside a release_count summary. For the actual release list, use /v1/artists/:id/releases — the embedded array was removed because it became huge for prolific artists.
Path parameters
| Parameter | In | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| id | path | integer | required | Artist ID. |
Example response
Artists by label
Paginated list of artists with releases on a specific label, ordered by number of releases on that label (descending). Each artist carries the public profile fields and a release_count scoped to this label.
Path parameters
| Parameter | In | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| id | path | integer | required | Label ID. |
Query parameters
| Parameter | In | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| limit | query | integer | optional | Max results, 1–100. Default 20. |
| cursor | query | string | optional | Cursor from previous response for pagination. |
Example response
Label search
Search for record labels by name. Returns labels sorted by relevance and release count.
Parameters
| Parameter | In | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| name | query | string | required | Label name to search. |
| limit | query | integer | optional | Max results, 1–100. Default 20. |
| cursor | query | string | optional | Cursor from previous response for pagination. |
Pagination
When more results are available, the response includes a next_cursor string. Pass it as the cursor parameter to fetch the next page:
curl https://api.sonovault.now/v1/labels/search \-H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY" \-G -d "name=Drumcode" \-d "cursor=0:42:1"
When next_cursor is null, you have reached the last page.
Example response
Label by ID
Get label by ID. Returns the public label fields (id, name) flattened alongside release_count and artist_count summaries. For the actual lists, use /v1/labels/:id/releases and /v1/labels/:id/artists — embedded arrays were removed because they became huge for prolific labels.
Path parameters
| Parameter | In | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| id | path | integer | required | Label ID. |
Example response
Releases by artist
Paginated feed of releases by a specific artist, ordered by release date (newest first). The per-item artist field is omitted (the caller already knows it).
Path parameters
| Parameter | In | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| id | path | integer | required | Artist ID. |
Query parameters
| Parameter | In | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| limit | query | integer | optional | Max results, 1–100. Default 20. |
| cursor | query | string | optional | Cursor from previous response for pagination. |
Example response
Releases by label
Paginated feed of releases on a specific label, ordered by release date (newest first). Each result carries the primary artist, label, catalog number, and track count.
Path parameters
| Parameter | In | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| id | path | integer | required | Label ID. |
Query parameters
| Parameter | In | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| limit | query | integer | optional | Max results, 1–100. Default 20. |
| cursor | query | string | optional | Cursor from previous response for pagination. |
Example response
Release search
Search for releases by title, optionally filtered by artist.
Parameters
| Parameter | In | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| title | query | string | required | Release title to search. |
| artist | query | string | optional | Artist name filter. |
| limit | query | integer | optional | Max results, 1–100. Default 20. |
| cursor | query | string | optional | Cursor from previous response for pagination. |
Pagination
When more results are available, the response includes a next_cursor string. Pass it as the cursor parameter to fetch the next page:
curl https://api.sonovault.now/v1/releases/search \-H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY" \-G -d "title=Discovery" \-d "cursor=0:85:1"
When next_cursor is null, you have reached the last page.
Example response
Release by ID
Get release by ID. Returns the release fields flat with nested artist and label objects, plus a peer tracks[] array — each track has ISRC, genre, subgenre, and artist credits.
Path parameters
| Parameter | In | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| id | path | integer | required | Release ID. |
Example response
New releases
Paginated feed of releases ordered by release date (newest first).
Parameters
| Parameter | In | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| limit | query | integer | optional | 1–100. Default 20. |
| cursor | query | string | optional | Cursor from previous response for pagination. |
Pagination
When more results are available, the response includes a next_cursor string. Pass it as the cursor parameter to fetch the next page:
curl https://api.sonovault.now/v1/releases/new \-H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY" \-G -d "limit=20" \-d "cursor=2026-03-22:78:789"
When next_cursor is null, you have reached the last page.
Example response
List genres
Lists every canonical genre and subgenre SonoVault recognises. Use this to find the numeric genreId for a genre suggestion — the suggestion endpoint validates against this exact list, so it never goes out of date.
Example response
Suggest a genre
Suggest a better genre for a track. Suggestions are reviewed by the SonoVault team before they affect the catalog — a successful call returns the suggestion with status: "pending". Requires a paid plan.
Request body (JSON)
genreId(integer, required) — a genre id fromGET /v1/genres.note(string, optional) — a short explanation for the reviewer, max 100 characters.
Limits
- Up to 100 suggestions per day per account. Can be increased upon request.
Path parameters
| Parameter | In | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| id | path | integer | required | Internal SonoVault track ID. |
Example response
List your suggestions
Lists the edit suggestions you have submitted and their review status (pending, approved, or rejected), newest first.
Parameters
| Parameter | In | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| limit | query | integer | optional | Max results, 1–100. Default 20. |
| cursor | query | string | optional | Cursor from previous response for pagination. |
Example response
Click Try it out on any endpoint to load it here.