Music is a factor that makes podcasts attractive. However, you won’t be able to simply find a song online and use it because it carries the risk of piracy.
So, where to find free music for podcasts? You can search at the following sources:
- Pixabay
- Free Music Archive
- io
- Youtube Audio Library
- Incompetech
- Purple Planet
- Soundcloud
- CCMixter
- Silverman Sound Studios
- AudioJungle
- Jamendo
- PremiumBeat
- Soundstripe
- Story Blocks
- Epidemic Sound
To better understand the features and characteristics of each website, let’s explore this in this article.
Why Do I Need Music For My Podcast?
Music creates the melody. It can affect the mind of the listener at any time.
Bright, upbeat melodies give us a feeling of joy. Conversely, quiet tunes can calm you down very quickly.
Choosing the right tracks in podcasts gives listeners the right vibes. As a result, their experience is enhanced.
Using tone and voice brands also helps to increase brand recognition, prestige, and credibility. It helps to draw the audience’s attention to the show.
What Kind Of Music Can I Use?
Record companies have a team of attorneys who look for copyright infringement cases. They can make you take down the podcast episode, or worse, sue you.
So, what kind of music can you use without getting into legal trouble? These include the three categories below.
Creative Commons
Artists using Creative Commons allow you to use their work worldwide for free. However, it will come with its terms.
The most common terms are asking you to take credit for them and confirm they are the work’s author.
Since the creator is the creator of the defined terms, you will need to read the fine print before using it. Please ensure that you are authorized to use the tracks for commercial and public purposes.
In addition, you also need to pay attention to the attribution method that the author requires to respond to accordingly.
Royalty-Free
Despite its catchy name, you’ll still have to purchase a license to use royalty-free tracks most of the time. The license gives you the right to use the track and its duration.
There are two methods of purchasing licenses:
- One-Off Purchases: This method means that you will purchase a license to buy a specific song. Most of these deals will give you lifetime usage and never expire. However, check the designation to be sure.
- Subscriptions: Today, most services provide a vast music store and charge users monthly. As long as your subscription is active, you have a license.
In a second way, your previous songs will not disappear after stopping the subscription. However, you will not be adding more pieces after that.
Public Domain
After the original copyright owner of a song dies after a certain number of years, the music will expire. It moves to the public domain.
The usual standard is 70 years after the owner’s death. So many of the songs from the 20s, 30s, and 40s are in the community domain.
If a modern artist were to re-record their version of that old song, they would be the owner of the song. You won’t be able to use them arbitrarily.
Where Can I Find Free Music For Podcasts?
We have entered the central part of the article. Let’s explore the sites where you can find free tracks for your podcasts here.
Free Music Source
Free websites should be the first place you should look.
Pixabay is an entirely free resource for royalty-free images, videos, and music.
You can search for the right tracks by mood or genre based on the search engines. It also has sound effects that are perfect for narration or visual effects.
Pixabay publishes all content on the website completely free of charge and without copyright. You will not need to pay or credit the author.
The Free Music Archive has a massive library of free tracks worldwide. You also do not need to credit the author when using.
One notable feature of the site is the song rating by period. It saves you time when choosing.
Free Beats allows users to download and use any song in their library for free. You need to follow them on social media and give them credit.
You can find quality modern rap, hip hop, and EDM tunes here.
Youtube provides users with a large amount of royalty-free tracks and unlimited downloads. This process is speedy and straightforward.
If you’ve uploaded your podcasts to YouTube, you can also overlay tracks directly on footage on the website.
Incompetech offers us thousands of Creative Commons songs. You can take credit or pay for an existing license if you want.
Purple Planet doesn’t look like much of a music website with its space-inspired design. However, it is the source of atmospheric and ambient sounds.
All tracks here are free if you credit the source. Otherwise, you will have to pay a small fee.
Although 909 Music’s track library is not very large, it is very quality. The channel’s music gives it a cutting-edge and modern feel.
You can freely download unlimited tracks. Attribution is also not required.
Dig by ccMixter includes Creative Commons tracks based on community resources. The platform offers two main types of licenses: personal use and commercial use.
Although the user interface of this platform is quite outdated, don’t be disappointed. The tracks here are of excellent quality.
The homepage lists a long list of filtering options to make your search easier. You just need to provide attribution to use the resources here for free.
Paid/Subscription-based Music Source
In addition, we also present you with some quality paid music sources.
AudioJungle is home to more than 35,000 professional creative artists and thousands of royalty-free tracks. It will cost you from $5 for a song or more.
The music theme here is very diverse. It has both professional songs for business and indie works.
You will need to pay a fee for your favorite song to get a license for commercial use. However, the platform does not require a subscription fee.
Jamendo also has a music composition service. You can select an artist and ask them to customize the tune.
The platform does not require a full subscription to use your favorite tracks. Instead, it operates on a pay-for-track basis. With over 17,000 songs in 26 different genres, you should consider visiting the site.
Soundstripe offers an affordable monthly subscription. It also provides a single-song license that gives you access to thousands of song selections.
You only need to pay a monthly subscription fee, and you can freely use the entire collection of tracks. Access and downloads are unlimited.
Detailed search filters make it easy for users to find the right sound for them. The website interface is easy to use.
Epidemic Sound is one of the most trusted sites when looking for royalty-free tracks for podcasts. They offer resources at a monthly subscription price.
FAQs
Read on below to learn more about some frequently asked questions about music in podcasts.
Can You Use Copyrighted Music In A Podcast?
Yes, you can absolutely use copyrighted music in your podcast. You must have the right to use or comply with Fair use.
Ways for you to gain access to tracks include:
- Write and compose your own track.
- Get written permission from the owner or artist.
- Use royalty-free sounds.
- Buy the copyright of the song you want to use.
Can I Use Any Song For My Podcast Intro?
Based on U.S. copyright law, any unauthorized use of copyrighted material is an infringement of copyright.
Whether you use the entire song or just a few seconds of it, it’s still a violation. Therefore, you should not believe in “legends” like using only 3-5 seconds will not have copyright problems.
Your best bet is to use songs labeled “Podsafe.” This music is safe to use in podcasts. It will help you avoid unnecessary problems.
Can I Use Music In My Podcast?
Many people just starting a podcast channel often ask this question.
The simple answer is yes. You can completely use copyrighted tracks in your program.
However, the necessary condition is that you need to pay to have the right to use them legally. It also helps you avoid litigation risks.
Does A Podcast Need Intro Track?
You need to be sure to give your listeners the most important details of the show and a little background sound or music. It will highlight the opening of the podcast.
It’s worth noting that you need to select non-piracy tracks before publishing.
Conclusion
Can you play music on a podcast? Yes, but you need to pay attention to copyright laws to avoid unnecessary troubles.
The best solution is to use royalty-free or creative commons tracks. Hopefully, this article has suggested to you some popular websites with quality resources.
