Free Music for Podcasts
Looking for music for your podcast? Free? You’re in the right place. This guide will show you where to find free royalty-free music for your podcast and how to use it legally in your podcast.
Quick Summary
Music makes podcasts more engaging, creates emotional connections and keeps listeners attention.
Top free sources for royalty-free podcast music are Pixabay Music, YouTube Audio Library and Free Music Archive, each with huge libraries of tracks for all podcast needs.
Understanding different types of royalty-free music licenses (Creative Commons, Public Domain, Royalty-Free Tracks) is key to be legal and avoid copyright issues.
Introduction
This post is to help podcasters find where to get royalty-free music for their show. It also covers music licenses usage rights, and how to overcome the hurdles when finding free royalty free podcast music.
Music is important in podcasts to:
Add to the content
Create an emotional connection with the listener
Set the tone for the show
Keep the listener’s attention
Add depth to the story
Improve the listening experience
This guide will cover the importance of music in podcasts, how to find high quality royalty-free audio tracks and how podcast music can improve your content. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for new songs for your existing podcast, understanding free podcast music and where to find the highest quality royalty-free options is key.
Why Your Podcast Needs Music
Music is the magic ingredient that adds value to your podcast, engagement and sets the tone for the show. Think about podcast intro music – it’s the first thing your listeners hear and it creates an instant emotional connection, so they’re more likely to stick around. Background music can subtly underscore your narrative, add layers to the story and keep the listener’s attention.
Imagine a podcast episode with no music or sound effects. It would feel flat or boring. Music can keep the listener’s attention. It can also add context to the story being told. The right royalty free podcast music however can turn an average episode into an engaging audio experience that will have listeners coming back for more. This guide will cover the top sources to find the best royalty free music and royalty free music for podcasts and explain the different music licenses so you can avoid legal issues.
Using music and sound effects throughout your podcast episodes can make a big difference. From setting the mood with intro music to seamless transitions between segments and ending with a podcast outro music, the right music and sound effects can take your podcast to the next level. Let’s find out where to get this free podcast music.
Free Music Sites for Podcasts
Finding free royalty free music for-free music for your podcast can be a lifesaver. Luckily there are some great royalty free music libraries and sites that offer a huge collection of high quality tracks, including royalty free podcast music. Among the best to find royalty free music for-free music sources are Pixabay Music, YouTube Audio Library and Free Music Archive.
These sites have massive libraries of royalty-free tracks so you can find the perfect podcast intro music, background music and podcast outro music without spending a dime.
Pixabay Music
Pixabay Music is a goldmine for podcasters looking for free royalty music. It has a huge collection of tracks you can use in your podcast for free, no need to credit the original artist. You can browse music by genre and mood so you can find the right track for any part of your podcast. Plus Pixabay has a bunch of sound effects you can add ambiance and personality to your podcast episodes.
One of the best things about Pixabay Music is that all content is copyright-free and released under Pixabay’s license so you can use the music without worrying about legal issues. Whether you need intro music, background music or outro music for podcast free, Pixabay has you covered with their huge library of copyright free music for podcasts.
YouTube Audio Library
The YouTube Audio Library is another great resource to find free royalty music. It has a huge selection of tracks that can be used for free, some popular songs require attribution. This is great for video podcasters who publish on YouTube as it’s a easy way to add high quality music to your videos.
With the YouTube Audio Library you can access a huge music library and search for music to use in your YouTube videos by:
Mood
Track name
Artist
Genre
This makes it easy to find the right track for your podcast intro music, background music or outro music. This is a great tool for podcasters who want to add a professional touch to their episodes without spending extra.
Free Music Archive
The Free Music Archive (FMA) is known for its open-source approach and huge collection of high quality Creative Commons licensed music from indie artists. FMA is a great place for podcasters to explore different music genres and find tracks that fit their podcast’s tone and style. But make sure to check the specific requirements of the music license you choose to use as some tracks on FMA may require attribution.
FMA’s music library is a goldmine for podcasters looking for unique and creative royalty free music. Whether you need podcast intro music, background music or outro music Free Music Archive has plenty of options to take your podcast episodes to the next level.
Types of Royalty Free Music for Podcasts
Creative Commons Music
Creative Commons Music is a popular choice for podcasters because you can use the music under specific terms without needing permission from the artist. However most Creative Commons licenses require attribution so you must credit the artist in your podcast. Check the specific terms of each license to make sure you comply with any commercial, usage or derivative work restrictions.
Platforms like Incompetech have a huge collection of Creative Commons licensed music that you can use in your podcast. Always include the required attribution in your podcast show notes to comply with the license requirements and avoid any legal issues.
Using Creative Commons music responsibly means you respect the artist and get the best music for your podcast.
Public Domain Music
Public Domain Music are works whose copyright has expired so they are free to use by anyone. In the U.S. any music published in 1926 or earlier is public domain under copyright law so it’s a great resource for podcasters looking for royalty free music without attribution or licensing fees.
Using public domain music can be a great way to add classic and timeless tracks to your podcast. But make sure the music you’re using is really public domain to avoid any legal issues.
Royalty-Free Tracks
Royalty-Free Tracks are a convenient option for podcasters because:
Unlimited use without ongoing royalties
Usually available for a one-time fee or through a subscription service with unlimited downloads
Cost-effective for recurring podcast use
Platforms like PremiumBeat and Epidemic Sound have curated royalty free tracks specifically for podcast use so you can find royalty free tracks easily.
PremiumBeat has high quality music with one-time fee for personal and monthly personal subscription only, single purchase and lifetime use, while Epidemic Sound has monthly subscription plans with unlimited access to all music and sound effects. So you can find the perfect track for any part of your podcast, from intro music to background music and outro music.
Music in Different Parts of Your Podcast
Music serves different purposes in a podcast, from setting the mood with intro music to providing seamless transitions and concluding single episode with outro music.
Let’s see how to use music in different parts of your podcast to elevate the overall listening experience.
Intro Music
Intro music is a key part of your podcast as it sets the mood and establishes your brand. It’s the audio logo of your podcast so listeners can recognize and associate the podcast with a certain mood or brand. A good intro can hook new listeners into video podcast instantly by engaging them as soon as they press play.
Your theme song (which is also your theme song and show notes intro music) should be:
Short and sweet to avoid listener fatigue and keep them engaged
Consistent to create a bond with listeners through the Familiarity Principle so they feel more connected to your podcast
Able to evoke a specific emotion and align the audience’s mood with the content of the podcast.
Transition Music
Transition music is important in signaling changes between different parts of your podcast, providing clear audio cues to listeners. Using specific transition music can indicate the start or end of a single podcast episode or a topic so listeners can follow along with the podcast structure.
Good transition music can keep listeners engaged by breaking up the monotony and adding audio variety to the podcast. Well chosen transition music can keep listeners engaged throughout the episode so they don’t tune out during longer parts.
Outro Music
Outro music is important to give a sense of closure to your podcast episodes. It wraps up the whole song or podcast to sound professional and polished and reinforces the theme of the song or podcast and leaves listeners with a lasting impression.
Outro music tells the audience the episode is ending so it’s a smooth and satisfying close to the podcast. By using the same outro music you can create a memorable experience so listeners will come back for more episodes.
Podcast Music Legalities
Using legal music in your video podcast show is important to avoid copyright infringement and legal problems. Make sure the music you choose is royalty free or has a Creative Commons license so you can avoid takedowns, fines and demonetization of your content for video podcasts on platforms like YouTube.
Licensing Fees
Music is made up of two parts: the song/composition and the sound recording. These two parts combine to make the whole piece of music. Each part may require a separate license to use in a podcast. Make sure you have the right licenses for the music you use to avoid legal problems.
Licenses from platforms like Audiojungle only allow use of copyrighted music in one end product for one time payment so you need to check the terms of each license. The tracks on this page are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License which means free to use but may require attribution and share any derivative works under the same license.
Copyright Laws
Using copyright free content means making money so podcasters don’t accidentally use copyrighted song and infringe on copyright laws. It’s a common myth that small podcasts with no monetization don’t need to worry about copyright law but that’s not true. Always get permission before using copyrighted music anywhere in your podcast.
Platforms like Pixabay provide copyright free content released under Pixabay’s license so you can use the music without worrying about legal issues. By following copyright laws and getting the right licenses you can protect your podcast from legal problems.
Choosing the Right Music
Choosing the right music for your podcast is important so you don’t compete with your content. Consider the tone and content of your podcast when choosing music and make sure it enhances instead of distracts from the spoken word.
Let’s go over some tips to match the mood and theme of popular songs with your podcast and the music genre with your audience’s expectation.
Matching Mood and Theme
Background music should support the mood of your podcast without distracting from the spoken content. Music that matches the mood and vibe of the podcast helps to build suspense and immerse the listener in the story being told, overall experience. For example softer and more introspective music might be better for a serious or contemplative podcast.
When searching for tracks that match your content think of three words that describe your podcast and find tracks that fit those words. This will help you find the perfect song or theme song for your content. Listening to podcasts in the same content vertical can also give you ideas for music for your own podcast.
Genre and Audience
When choosing music for your podcast make sure to match the music genre with the podcast genre to enhance the overall experience. Ambient music is often used for serious or educational podcasts because it’s unobtrusive while lo-fi music is good for conversational or laid back podcasts because it’s relaxing and calming.
Jazz or blues theme music can give a classy feel so they’re good for cultural or intellectual topics. True crime podcasts have different theme music and styles than self-help or interview podcasts because of their different audience expectation. By considering the theme music genre and audience of your podcast you can find music that can create a cohesive and engaging experience.
Conclusion
We’ve gone over the importance of adding music to your podcast to enhance the listener experience, create emotional connection and set the tone for your show. From finding the best artists on free music sites like Pixabay Music, YouTube Audio Library and Free Music Archive to understanding the different types of royalty free music and their licensing requirements you now have the knowledge to find and use the right music for your podcast.
Remember, choosing the right music means matching the song to the mood and theme of your podcast, considering the genre and audience and following the legal requirements to avoid copyright issues. By using these tips and resources you can turn electronic music for your podcast into an engaging listening experience that will have listeners coming back for more. So go ahead, find that track and shine!
FAQs
Where can I find free music for podcasts?
You can find and download royalty free audio tracks for your podcast on Pixabay Music, YouTube Audio Library and Free Music Archive. These sites have huge music libraries for download, free use and download.
How can I use Creative Commons music in my podcast?
When using Creative Commons music in your podcast make sure to check the license for specific requirements like attribution, commercial use and derivative works. Always follow these requirements to avoid any issues.
What’s the difference between public domain music and royalty free tracks?
The main difference between public domain music and royalty free tracks is that public domain music is free to use with no attribution or licensing fees while royalty free music tracks require a one-time fee or monthly subscription for unlimited music use. Public domain music has an expired copyright while royalty free tracks require initial payment for use.
Why is theme music important for a podcast?
Theme songs and music is important for a podcast because it sets the tone, establishes the show notes brand and helps keep listeners engaged. It’s a part of the podcast.
What should podcasters consider when using music?
When using music in podcasts podcasters should make sure it’s royalty free or has a Creative Commons license to avoid copyright infringement and legal issues. Getting the right permissions is key to following the copyright law.
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