How To Find Podcast Music?

When it comes to podcast music, there are a few different options to choose from. The first is to search for royalty-free music libraries. There are also Creative Commons music platforms. We will explain the difference between the two later in the article. These tracks are often free to use, and they can be found in a variety of music libraries online.

Another option is to purchase podcast music from a site like Stock Music or Premium beat. These tracks are typically very high quality and can give your podcast a professional sound.

Finally, you could also create your own podcast music using a digital audio workstation like GarageBand or Logic Pro. This option requires a bit more time and effort, but it can be well worth it if you want your podcast background music to sound truly unique.

In this article, you will learn what background music for podcasts you’re allowed to use, where to find royalty-free music and where you can download the best free podcast intro music.

Check out Podcast topics ideas for 2022!

Do you need music for your podcast?

If you have already created a compelling podcast concept, you may think that it’s valuable on its own.

While it can be true, it’s still better to use music for your podcast.

A podcast intro music, segment change, and outro music can actually really benefit your podcast.

Podcast Intro Music 

Intro music can help you set the tone of your podcast and invite your listeners to listen to your podcast. In addition, if people find something catchy and memorable, they are more likely to remember it. With the right intro music, your audience will remember your podcast by the jingle.

Podcast Segment Change Music 

Segment change music can help your audience find themselves in the structure of your podcast. It punctuates transitions between different segments of the podcast episode. 

Podcast Outro Music 

When your podcast episode is coming to an end, you would want to thank your audience for listening and remind them to subscribe. Outro music is a bridge between the main and ending segment and polishes the entire episode. 

Background music

Some podcasters decide to use music throughout the episode. Whether you should use background music in a podcast depends on the topic and theme of your content.

If you decide to use music in an entire episode, make sure the music is steady and doesn’t overbear your words.

What music can you use in podcasts?

You have to make sure that you are allowed to use whatever music you play on your podcast. 

If you want to get free music for your podcast, there are three general options:

Royalty-free music

Royalty-free music literally means that you don’t pay royalties to the creator every time you play their music.

In the case of royalty-free podcast music, you buy a license for using a piece in an episode. You can use the piece of music any way you like for the duration that is specified in the license conditions.

After the license expires, you don’t need to go back and remove music from old episodes. However, with many music licensing platforms, you shouldn’t be adding tracks to new episodes after that point.

Copyright-free music

The terms “copyright-free music” and “royalty-free” are often used interchangeably, but they’re not the same thing.

Copyright-free music has no copyright. It’s rare to find completely copyright-free music because most of the music online has some sort of copyright. 

Creative commons music

Creative Commons music is royalty-free, but royalty-free music can also be songs you pay for once or that you subscribe to use. 

Creative Commons music includes the pieces you can use without permission, but you have to credit the artist. 

Creative Commons can mean different types of licenses, so you have to check exactly what you can and can’t do with a specific track. 

Moreover, you need to make sure the artist has stipulated a “No Derivatives Works” license. It means that you can’t manipulate or change their work in any way.

Public domain music

When a song’s copyright expires, the music piece becomes ‘public domain.’ It means that you can use it for any purpose.

Public domain music usually includes traditional music, hymns, or popular children’s songs.

Learn What Are Binaural Beats?

Where to find podcast music?

Where can you find free music for podcasts?

Free Music Archive

Free Music Archive is a huge music library with the best royalty-free music where you don’t have to credit the author.

Silverman Sound Studios

Silverman Sound Studios provides free music you can use for any purpose as long as you credit the artist.

Freebeats

In the case of Freebeats, you have to follow them on social media to use their free music and give them credit for the piece of music.

Incompetech

On Incometech, all music is created by Kevin MacLeod, and you have to credit him to use the music.

Pixbay

Pixbay is a free music library with both music and sound effects, and all content is copyright-free

YouTube Audio Library

Not many people know that YouTube provides royalty-free tracks with free and unlimited downloads.

909 Music on SoundCloud

909 Music is an account on Soundcloud that offers quality royalty-free music for podcasts.

Musopen.org

a non-profit organization that offers instrumental music, perfect as background music for your podcast

Paid and subscription-based podcast music

• Stock Music – $19.99 for a monthly subscription or $39.95 per track
• Audio Jungle – from $5 per track
• Musicbed – custom
• Audio Blocks – $20 for a monthly subscription
• Epidemic Sound – $12 a month
• Premium Beat – $64.95 a month or $49 per track
• Soundstripe – $19 a month

Learn How To Listen To Podcasts!

Common misconceptions about music in podcasts

If I only play 10 seconds of a song, it’s okay.

No matter if you use the song for reference or just to illustrate your point, you have to get the permission of the copyright owner.

If I give credit, the artist will understand.

While it is true that some licenses allow you to use music as long as you credit the author, it’s not the case for all music pieces. You need to make sure what kind of license your music of choice has.

I can use any music if I’m not making money off it.

Again, this depends on the type of copyright the music is under. However, most of the time, you’ll need the permission of the copyright owner.

If I use music under “fair use,” it’s okay.

You can’t argue fair use by using copyrighted music if your goal is to utilize the song in a way that qualifies for fair use.

It’s okay to use music for a review.

You shouldn’t use music even if you review it or it is the topic of your podcast. Anytime you want to use a different piece of music, you have to be sure of its legal status.

How to choose the perfect music for podcasts?

Below we present some helpful tips for choosing music for podcasts.

What is the theme and mood of the podcast?

You have to be aware of what kind of vibe you’re trying to achieve in your podcast. Choose the music that your audience will associate with your podcast and help them move to the world you building.

What is your brand or personality?

Think about who you are as a host and what you want to represent. Find music that reflects who you are so that your audience can relate to you easily. If you represent a company brand, make sure your theme song is unique as a part of the marketing strategy.

What is the purpose of podcast music?

What do you want to achieve with the music? What kind of emotions do you want to evoke in your audience? It’s important to know these things to be sure your intro music is introducing the listener to your podcast, and the outro music will top it off.

Conclusion

Now that you know all about the different types of music you can use for your podcast and where to find them, it’s time to start picking out some tunes. Consider the theme and mood of your podcast, what type of brand or personality you want to convey, and what the purpose of the music is. Once you have a good idea of what you’re looking for, you can start browsing through the options and choosing the perfect music for your podcast.