You’ve heard the bootstrapping origins of your favorite podcasts that started in closets, basements, or over a kitchen table—Tinney, royalty-free music for podcasts echoing over their voices in the first few episodes.
What you don’t hear? How they got their upgraded, signature musical intros, stings, or transitions. Even better, most of those new intros are still royalty-free. Next step, how to strategize the musical elements in your podcast.
Read on to learn how to layout your musical elements and how to find the best royalty-free music around.
Your Musical Strategy
Here’s another thing that many people don’t talk about. It seems like a given to expect an audio intro, outro, or transitions backed by sound effects and music. But, did you know that there are industry-specific terms for every kind of situation you might need royalty-free music in?
All of these elements combine with your royalty-free music to create a soundscape that anyone can recognize as you and your auditory brand.
First, the Podcast Intro & Outro
A podcast intro is usually a series of best-of audio bites that last no longer than five seconds. Then that bite is followed by a 10-20 second of the podcast’s premise. At the end of your podcast, you need to include a 20-30 second outro that includes a call-to-action (subscribe, check out the site, etc.). Both of these sections need a solid backing podcast music track that encourages your listeners to stay around for your extra content.
Next, Audio Transitions
Transitions usually function as lead-ins to ad reads, short breaks between segments/guests, or to cover awkward pauses you can’t fix in the edit. These short jingles shouldn’t be longer than three to five seconds.
Then, Put Music Under Ads
Putting stock music behind ads does two things. First, it helps separate the ad read from the rest of your content. Next, it helps encourage your listener to stay for the advertisements you’re reading (that can help you get paid).
Finally, Put Music Under Your Podcast Trailers
Podcast trailers are used to get new listeners interested in your content. You can run them as the first track on your hosting platform, in podcasts that are similar to yours, and more. Either way, you need to use music to theme your ad and to create auditory interest.
So, where do you find royalty-free music for podcasts?
There are quite a few cheaper options for the best music for podcasts you can use now. Many of these require attribution, but that’s a small price to pay for fantastic royalty-free musical tracks.
Get Music From Your Friends
Is your friend a musician? Ask them if they’re willing to let you use one of their songs!
So long as they’re not under contract with a recording studio already, then you should be able to hash out an agreement and a contract for a relatively low price.
Search for “Creative Commons” Music Instead
Another type of music you can use is music licensed under a “creative commons” license.
This kind of music is made specifically for creative people working on personal projects, and many times, it will be made free to use—with attribution, of course!
A quick google search for “Creative Commons Songs” should give you a couple of good results to work with.
When you’re looking at the license that the artist is using, look for the following characteristics.
- – No download restrictions
- – You can play the music with no alterations
- – Commercial usage or monetization is allowed
- – You can use the song on every platform (YouTube, Vimeo, Spotify, Etc.)
- – If you need to credit the original artist
- – Whether the song is a cover or an original
This careful analysis can save you a lot of grief down the road. Plus, it’s just a good idea to respect the way your artists want to work!
Look for Music in the Public Domain
Most Mozart tracks or pieces by more obscure composers produced before 1925 are free to use, and works from between 1925 and 1989 can potentially be free to use as well. Be careful of your source!
You might need to pay royalties or ask permission if you use a re-recording or re-interpretation of a piece, so be sure to go for the original recording when possible!
Use a Royalty Free Specific Site Like Comma Music
Comma Music is a great place to find high-quality, royalty-free music for a low monthly price. Not only is it easy to find any track you need, but it’s also easy to license and to start creating in a fast and painless way. While the following two options are great and free, they’ll add steps that you’ll want to do away with later in your podcasting career.
Use the YouTube Music Library
YouTube is always encouraging people to make content, so it makes sense that they would have a large bank of music and sound effects. So long as you have a creator account, this bank is free to use!
Even though the tracks can sometimes be dated and the interface is clunky, it’s a great place to look if you’re starting.
Use the Free Music Archive
The Free Music Archive is a wonderful place to find clips of radio recordings, broadcasts, and music in the public domain.
Just remember that most music in the Free Music Archive will require attribution, and finding the right track will take a LOT of searching.
It’s Time to Start Your Podcasting Journey!
Hey, we get it. Starting your podcast is a lot of work! On top of that, defining your auditory brand is challenging.
So, don’t rush things. We believe in you and your ability to get things right!
So, fill out your podcast’s soundscape with transitions, a rocking intro and outro, and royalty-free music for podcasts that will fit your genre perfectly. Have any questions? No worries! Read our blog for more royalty-free music strategies and content or reach out! We’ll be happy to help.