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Plenty of software apps and even modern video games let you make your own music. FruityLoops and Rocksmith immediately come to mind, but there is definitely a multitude of options to choose from. With that in mind, some of the latest music utilities are calling on cloud connectivity for enhanced functionality and ease-of-access.

Splice, which was originally launched in late 2013, is a subscription-based music platform that uses the cloud to increase collaboration amongst community members. The portal offers a number of useful apps and tools, the latest of which, known as Beat Maker, is a digital sampler and sequencer that supports up to 1,000,000 different samples from Splice's cloud-based library.

Co-founder of Splice, Steve Martocci, describes his product as a "Github for Ableton." He goes into detail about the recent addition of Beat Maker, which is a intuitive GUI that is meant to simplify the process of music creation and production, by saying: "The Beat Maker was a next step that allows you to take those sounds and test them out together to ensure they work well before you download them. It also really opens the door of music production to so many more people and shows them how far you can get by starting with samples and loops."

Technically speaking, Beat Maker features an integrated 32-step sequencer as well as arpeggiator. It offers full control over different instrument sounds, including drum kits, and it also accommodates custom tempos and rhythms.

However, the real value of Beat Maker comes in the comprehensive library of samples. While many music programs are extremely limited in the content they can offer, usually because of copyright restrictions, Splice's platform actually gives them royalty-free access to tons of samples, loops and sounds. Moreover, some of these have been recorded and produced by some of the biggest names in the industry.

Martocci talked about some of this content by stating: "Each track has a collection of curated sounds available to schedule via a step sequencer. You can find samples from some of the most respected producers from multiple genres, including Deadmau5, Carl Cox, Lex Luger, and KSHMR. Since it's web-based, computers, tablets and phones can all run the Beat Maker."

In order to tout the functionality of Beat Maker, Splice has even enlisted the help of popular rapper Waka Flocka Flame, who has offered his a cappella track, Wakapella, for users to play around with and remix to their liking. Results can be saved to an individual's Splice account or shared amongst the community.

At the time of this writing, the biggest drawback of the Splice platform and their Beat Maker utility is the fact that it cannot export user files to an external format, such as MP3, WAV or FLAC. However, Martocci has hinted that his team might add such functionality in the near future.

To find out more about Splice or their new Beat Maker software, head over to their official website at www.splice.com. Interested parties can even test drive a 14-day free trial of their software, so you won't have to commit to a full purchase just yet.