Soundtrap, Spotify’s web-based music studio, had an underused effects library. Users found it hard to discover and confusing to apply, often abandoning it—missing both creative potential and monetization opportunities.

Many users were unaware that effects existed or how to access them.

The effects library was difficult to navigate, with unclear labels and poor categorization.

No previews or guidance left users unsure how effects would change their sound.

Redesign the effects experience so that novice users could stay in flow, while driving engagement and subscription growth.

Conducted user research and mapped the producer journey to identify friction points.

Led workshops with PMs, engineers, and researchers to prioritize improvements.

Simplified the effects library with categories, previews, and plain-language labels.

Added direct access from instrument panels and drag-and-drop slots for faster experimentation.

Partnered closely with engineers to validate feasibility and maintain performance across browsers.

The biggest challenge was balancing performance and usability—real-time previews risked slowing down the studio. Through close design–engineering iteration, we delivered lightweight previews first, then scalable advanced flows.

5x increase in effects usage (time spent + applications).

+14% subscription conversion among users who used effects.

Higher satisfaction scores (NPS) and clear new monetization pathways.

Early and continuous validation prevents wasted effort.

Elevated effects into a subscription driver, proving their business value.

Set a foundation for future AI-assisted effect recommendations.