Search Types & Use Cases

How does a search/lookup work?

A search/lookup consists of two components:

• A fingerprint type - how your file is analyzed (e.g., audio, melody, phonetic).

• A search type - what kind of lookup is performed against the Pex Registry (e.g., identify music, find matches).

Based on your use case, the combination of a fingerprint type and search type determines what results you’ll see.

What fingerprint types are available for a search?

• Audio - Captures characteristics of the sound recording itself

• Melody - Captures the melodic content of a piece of work.

• Phonetic - Captures the lyrical or phonetic content of a piece of work

What is the difference between an audio search and a melody/phonetic search?

An audio search will return any matches we identify to the sound recording itself. This includes matches where the sound recording has been modified either by pitch and/or speed.

A melody/phonetic search will return any matches to the same underlying composition or lyrics, such as cover songs or live versions of a song. This includes matches where the melody has been transposed.

What are the various "search types" I can perform?

Both the SDK and the demo site allow you to perform two types of searches against the Pex Registry. Below is an explanation of what each search type can be used for:

• Identify music

  • This search type allows you to check any sound recording for copyrighted music. Your media file will be fingerprinted and checked against the Pex music registry to identify any matches to registered music, along with corresponding rightsholder information. This search type is typically used to determine if music is present, and if so, to gather ownership information for licensing needs. It can also be used to deduplicate catalog.

• Find matches

  • This search type allows you to find commercially distributed versions of your sound recording or composition, including modified versions that may have been distributed by others without your knowledge. When available, DSP links for matches are provided. This search type is typically used to find potential copyright infringement, so licenses can be issued or royalties can be properly paid.

What are some common use cases and combinations of fingerprint types + search types?

Here are common combinations of fingerprint types and search types:

• Use Case: Identify Music See what sound recording content your file may contain.

  • Combination: Audio fingerprint + Identify Music search type

• Use Case: Find Cover Songs Find covers or live performances, including uses of lyrics (phonetic matches) or the underlying composition (melody matches).

  • Combination: Melody + Phonetic fingerprints + Identify Music search type

• Use Case: Find Sound Recordings If you own a recording, use this to discover commercially distributed versions or uses (including modified ones) of your recording

  • Combination: Audio fingerprint + Find Matches search type