<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23
CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the incorporation by reference in (i) the Registration Statement
(Form S-8 filed on March 26, 1999, amended on September 8, 2000) pertaining to
the Sonic Foundry, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan, the Sonic Foundry, Inc. Non-
Employee Directors Stock Option Plan and the Shareholder Relations Consultant
Warrants, (ii) the Registration Statement (Form S-3 filed on November 12, 1999)
pertaining to shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of debentures and
exercise of certain warrants, (iii) the Registration Statement (Form S-3 filed
on October 25, 1999) pertaining to shares of common stock issuable upon exercise
of certain warrants, (iv) the Registration Statement (Form S-8 filed on June 30,
2000) pertaining to the Sonic Foundry, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan, (v)
the Registration Statement (Form S-8 filed on September 8, 2000) pertaining to
the 1999 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, (vi) the Registration Statement (Form
S-3 filed on November 7, 2000) pertaining to shares of common stock issuable
upon conversion of exchangeable shares and the exercise of exchangeable share
options and warrants, and (vii) the Registration Statement (Form S-3 filed on
May 15, 2000) pertaining to shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of
warrants of our report dated November 10, 2000, with respect to the financial
statements and schedule of Sonic Foundry, Inc. included in this Annual Report
(Form 10-K) for the year ended September 30, 2000.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
December 28, 2000
