Music can really enhance the production quality of your podcast. Some of the world’s most popular podcasts are widely recognized for their distinctive intro and outro music. If you’re looking to start building an audio identity for your podcast, music is a great place to start.
Finding the right music for your podcast can be a challenge, but it’s worth taking the time to find something that fits your show and your style. This article will explore everything you need to know about finding music to use on your podcast, including some of our top tips.
Why should you use music on your podcast?
There are a few reasons why you might want to add music to your podcast. Adding intro and outro music can make your podcast episodes sound more polished and professional. Your podcast’s music is like an audio brand for your production, and listeners will instinctively know when they’re listening to your show.
Jay Shetty’s ‘On Purpose’ is renowned for its beautiful and emotive intro music. Listeners regularly review the podcast, and plenty of reviews express how familiar Shetty’s podcast music is to them. Thus, it’s clear to see how using intro and outro music can create a strong association between your podcast and its audience.
Music can also be used to set the tone for your episode or to add emphasis to certain points. Examples include using a suspenseful tune to introduce a cliffhanger or playing a more upbeat song after a particularly funny segment. Many professional podcasts utilize music to great effect, and if you’re looking to up your production values, it’s definitely worth considering adding music to your show.
How do you find music to use on your podcast?
When it comes to finding music for your podcast, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, you’ll want to make sure that the music you use is in the public domain or has a Creative Commons license.
This will ensure that you don’t run into any copyright issues. You can find royalty-free music on platforms like YouTube, SoundCloud, and Free Music Archive. One of the best platforms for finding music for your podcast is Soundstripe.com, which offers a wide range of high-quality, royalty-free tracks.
When finding music for your podcast, the next thing to consider is the mood or feeling you want to evoke. Do you want your podcast music to be upbeat and energetic or more mellow and introspective?
You’ll also want to make sure that the music you choose fits the themes and topics of your episodes. For example, if you’re interviewing a guest about their experience with anxiety, you might want to avoid using music with an intense tempo.
When it comes to finding music for your podcast, the most important thing is to experiment and find tracks that fit your show’s tone and style. With a little bit of digging, you’re sure to find some great tunes to use in your episodes.
Music and copyright – what you need to know
Copyright is a key consideration for any podcast creator, particularly when it comes to music. In order to avoid any potential legal issues, you need to make sure that the music you use is either in the public domain or has a Creative Commons license.
There are a few different types of Creative Commons licenses, but the two most relevant for podcasts are Attribution and Non-Commercial. Attribution licenses allow you to use the music as long as you credit the artist, while Non-Commercial licenses prohibit you from using the music for any commercial purpose.
If you want to use a popular song on your podcast, you’ll need to get permission from the copyright holder. You’ll need to submit a request through a performing rights organization to do this. Copyright is definitely something you shouldn’t overlook. Universal sued a podcast in 2018 for using music without permission, with the statutory damages alone estimated to be around $6 million. A copyright mistake can be a very costly headache.
We recommend getting a subscription to Soundstripe if you’re looking for great podcast music This website is really intuitive, which means you can find the perfect music for your podcast in just a few clicks. You can pay a monthly or yearly fee and download as much music as you want. We use this music for all our videos and podcasts, and we get tons of compliments. If you use promo code PODCAST, you can save 10% at checkout.
Our top tips for finding the perfect music for your podcast
When used tastefully, music can add a lot to your podcast episodes. Here are a few tips for finding music to use in your show:
- Use music that is in the public domain or has a Creative Commons license. This will ensure that you don’t run into any copyright issues. You can find music that is royalty-free on Soundstripe.
- Search for royalty-free music on various platforms. Be wary when using YouTube and SoundCloud to find royalty-free music, as some of the tracks may not have a Creative Commons license as claimed. To avoid this, we recommend using a tailored website, like Soundstripe.
- If you want to use commercial music, make sure you purchase the appropriate licenses from online music stores like iTunes or Amazon. Always read the terms and conditions before purchasing a license because a copyright mistake can be very costly for your podcast.
- Or, if you have a friend or family member who is a musician, see if they would be willing to let you use one of their tracks for free.
- Always make sure to credit the artist and songwriter in your show notes. This is good practice and will ensure that the artist receives proper recognition.
Final thoughts
Music can be a powerful tool for enhancing your podcast episodes. It can add a new layer of depth and intrigue to your content when used correctly.
When searching for music to add to your podcast, be sure to use royalty-free music by searching on Soundstripe.com. And, if you want to use commercial music, be sure to purchase the appropriate licenses from online music stores. Always make sure to credit the artist and songwriter in your show notes.
