how to use music in a podcast

Podcasting music best practices

• Theme music for podcasts. ...
• Intro and outro music for podcasts. ...
• Transition music for podcasts (e.g., bumpers and stingers) When a podcast host shifts to a new topic in a show, transition music signals to listeners that a change is coming.
• Podcast music beds (i.e., background music) The best background music for podcasts often goes unnoticed. ...

Full Answer

Should you use music in your podcast?

• Not too much! Less is more. ...
• You don’t have to use music. Maybe you only want a few seconds of the same music at your intro and outro every episode. ...
• Your music should enhance your tape, never distract from it. The music is there to enhance the experience of listening to the voices you have recorded. ...

How to use music in your podcast?

Here's a few sites to go to:

• Free Music Archives: Gives you access to new music for free that can be used as beds or theme music for your podcast. ...
• Epidemic Sound: Probably the most popular paid choice for podcasters. ...
• Free Sound: Allows you to search for specific sounds that you want for your podcast and download the tracks you like

More items...

How to use commercial music in your podcast?

There are three main options here:

1. Looking for one track for a theme tune? In this case, you'll want a lifetime license in exchange for a one-off purchase. ...
2. Looking for a big range of tracks, loops or effects for regular use? In this case, a subscription license might be better. ...
3. Custom made podcast music tracks

Can I use copyrighted music in my podcast?

While you may have heard copyrighted music used without permission in other podcasts, even popular podcasts, it is a risk to do so. Podcasting’s “wild west” era has ended. Up until recently, there were not a lot of checks and regulations on copyright infringement but, to be fair, it has never been “okay” to use copyrighted material without permission.

Can I use copyrighted music in a podcast?

Yes! It's legal to play copyrighted music on a podcast so long as you've cleared the rights or are following Fair use.

Can you use any song on your podcast?

You cannot simply use small portions of copyrighted music under fair use laws. Not-for-profit or hobby-based podcasts are not exempt from copyright laws. There is no non-profit exception to copyright laws. Giving attribution to the creator does not give you the right to redistribute their work.

How much of a song can you use in a podcast?

There is no limit or threshold. There are many rumors and myths about music samples being within fair use for podcasting if the used fragment is less than two seconds (or 3 or 5, it doesn't matter). This is not true. Any usage of protected material can infringe copyrights.

Do you need a license to play music on a podcast?

1) Podcasts Require Sync Licenses In order to use any copyrighted music in their show, a podcaster needs to obtain a synchronization license. These types of licenses traditionally govern music use in TV shows, films, and commercials, as those media require the music be “synced” with the visuals on screen.

How do I get permission to use a song?

In general, the permissions process involves a simple five-step procedure:Determine if permission is needed.Identify the owner.Identify the rights needed.Contact the owner and negotiate whether payment is required.Get your permission agreement in writing.

How do you avoid copyright on a podcast?

So, what are some ways to avoid the liability? Your first option is to license the copyrighted material you want to use, meaning you pay for permission to use the work. When we say licensing, most podcasters probably think music....Methods of Avoiding Copyright InfringementAdobe Stock Music.PremiumBeat.Soundstripe.

How can I use a song without copyright?

3 Ways To Legally Use Copyrighted Music in Your YouTube VideosUse work that is available within the public domain. ... Obtain a license or permission from the owner of the copyrighted content. ... You can reuse music from YouTube videos with a Creative Commons license.

Can you use a song without permission?

Any use of copyrighted material without permission is, according to U.S. copyright law, copyright infringement. It does not matter if you use one second or the entire song, using copyrighted materials without the consent or permission of the copyright owner, constitutes copyright infringement.

How many seconds can you play a song without copyright?

You may have heard of "fair use," a copyright provision that permits you to use 10, 15 or 30 seconds of music without copyright obligation. That is, you understand that you can use a short section of a song without paying a fee.

Can I use music in my podcast Spotify?

Spotify Now Lets You Add Music Tracks to Podcast Shows.

Can you use commercial music in a podcast?

But can you use commercial music in your podcast? If you have cleared worldwide commercial rights from the artist, publishers, and any other rights holders, yes. If you have purchased and/or agreed it with a Royalty Free licence, yes.

What music can I play without a Licence?

Can I play any music without violating copyright laws? Yes, you can play public domain music. The term “public domain” refers to songs that are not protected by intellectual property laws such as copyright. Works in the public domain may be used freely without the permission of the former copyright owner.

How much of a song can you use without copyright?

Any use of copyrighted material without permission is, according to U.S. copyright law, copyright infringement. It does not matter if you use one second or the entire song, using copyrighted materials without the consent or permission of the copyright owner, constitutes copyright infringement.

Can I use music in my podcast Spotify?

Spotify Now Lets You Add Music Tracks to Podcast Shows.

How do I get permission to use a song for a podcast intro?

The use of copyrighted media can be a slippery slope, and the best advice is to purchase a license from a stock audio website. This will ensure you that any audio files you use in your podcast will be legally obtained. If you are not sure if you have the rights to use a piece of media, then don't use it.

Can I use 15 seconds of copyrighted music?

You may have heard of "fair use," a copyright provision that permits you to use 10, 15 or 30 seconds of music without copyright obligation. That is, you understand that you can use a short section of a song without paying a fee.

What does "public domain" mean?

To be clear, "public domain" does not mean "publicly available;" it means that copyright has expired and the material is no longer under copyright protection. For examples of what is and is not public domain work, you can visit this website here.

Can podcasts be played without music?

It's an important question. And the simple answer is no. Ramtin told us that many great podcasts don't use music at all. But, he adds, in the right place it can add a lot of emotion or an added depth. Here's a good example of a podcast that works without music: Murderous Mary & The Rise of Erwin.

Is music intentional in podcasts?

The key takeaway here is that music should always be intentional . If you're not careful, it could turn a good story into a mess. But done well, good music, in the right places, can really make your podcast shine.

Can you put music on a podcast?

But first, before you jump into your song, tune or jingle, keep in mind the very specific rules that limit what you can and can't do.

Is music an emotion?

Now think about how music helped move that moment forward. For a lot of us, music is emotion. Studies of the brain will tell you that your mind reacts in so many different ways to the sound of music. So it's only natural that you would want to take all that magic and sprinkle it over your podcast.

What is the role of music in podcasts?

Without the aid of any fancy video effects, like slow motion and zoom to express your message, music plays a major role in conveying your brand’s identity. With some simple royalty-free background music to gently highlight your voice, your podcast will be just as interesting and engaging to your audience as ...

Can you use the same song as the intro in Outro?

Just the same as the Intro music, your listeners will also connect with the Outro music as it slowly fades in while you’re wrapping up the episode and wishing your listeners well. The Outro music can easily use the same track as the Intro, however, you might consider this as a ripe opportunity and get creative by using a different song at the closing.

Is intro music necessary for Facebook ads?

By revealing your Intro music, you will definitely be spreading brand awareness, but is it really necessary? No. It really isn’t necessary and here’s why: You’re running an Ad Campaign, which is the best way to attract newcomers. Let the ad campaign work on its own. See this as another opportunity to be creative and choose new music that will enhance the campaign's performance and spice up the brand along the way. Whether the ad is a success or not, your branded Intro music will remain untouched and pure in its purpose. By attracting new listeners with a successful ad campaign, now you can allow the power of your program’s Intro music make its first impression as you initially intended.

Is there a licence for podcasts in 2021?

The biggest of which: right now, no licences are available. And it’s 2021 already. In February 2021, we spoke with songsforpodcasters.com which offers commercially-available music and a global licence for podcasters. This offers more than 10,000 tracks from independent artists, and licences from as low as $55.

Can you listen to podcasts on Spotify?

You can only hear these shows on Spotify - not on any other platform (so it isn’ t a podcast really) Your listeners can only hear the songs in full if they pay for Spotify Premium. These shows also have plenty of rules about how much talk you’re allowed to have, and where ads can go.

Who composed the podcast Podnews?

Podnews’s podcast contains bespoke music, composed for us by Devaweb, as one example. There are composers everywhere who are eager to produce something for you, even ones oddly called The Benevolent Badger. Use them - or license from a service like songsforpodcasters.com.

Is the RIAA shutting down podcasts?

The RIAA (who work for US record companies) has shut down podcasts that claimed to have the permission of the artists. It isn’t enough. In most cases, an artist they actually can’t give you permission, since they signed a contract with publishers and record companies. But I’ve bought an APRA mini-licence!

Can I use commercial music on podcasts?

You don’t have the right to use any commercial music on your podcast. But it’s fair use! Well…. “Fair use”, or “fair dealings”, is different across the world. It’s also an affirmative defence you use in court, which are normally decided on a case-by-case basis. It’s up to you to prove that your use was fair and not an infringement.

What is a Podcast?

A podcast is a downloaded media form. If it does not download to your computer or device, then it's technically not a podcast. Yes, there are podcast players you can get to play music “direct from a website”, but technically, those files are downloaded to the computer and played. So they are not considered “streaming”.

Types of Royalties Collected Online

Well there are basically two types of royalties that are paid from music being played on the internet:

Examples

I'm gonna lay down some examples to try and illustrate your music podcasting options:

What did I do right?

Early on, I learned that I needed permission from the artists to play their music. So I created a form at 4celts.com to get the artists' permission to be played in the podcast. I ask the artists to give me permission to play their music without compensation.

Common myths on copyright laws

One of the most ‘dangerous’ myths is the 30 second rule. According to the rule it’s okay to use copyrighted music, sounds or other audio materials as long as you include them for 30 seconds or less. There is no such rule. Using certain parts of copyrighted music isn’t going to fix the situation. Nor is there a 10 second rule.

Fair Use law

Vague definitions don’t always play out in your favor. Fair Use is a great example of a law seemingly giving you more freedom while also posing almost definite risks.

Is it legal to stream music on a podcast?

Is it legal to stream any music I like in a podcast? It is not legal to stream any music that you like during a podcast unless you have the rights to do so. Songs fall under copyright law, and as such, only those who have a license to use them can do so legally.

Can you use a song as an intro for a podcast?

Unfortunately, using a track as the intro to a podcast will not make a difference as it relates to copyright. Without having paid for a license to the song, using music without permission violates copyright law.

Can you use top chart music on podcasts?

As a podcaster, finding music you can use for your show can be difficult. Some podcasters throw caution to the wind and use top chart music, risking DMCA’s or other punishment for the sake of ease. It’s not a smart move and can hurt your success in the long run.

What is the biggest place podcasts are consumed?

The biggest place podcasts are consumed, by far, is Apple/iTunes. Then, in distant second, but still with a large listener-base, is Spotify. Both directories are music distribution services too. That means they are wary of anyone playing copyrighted music on a podcast on their platform.

What is fair use in podcasts?

Fair use is a defence you can use if you get in bother for playing copyrighted music in a podcast. It also seems to differ a little, depending on what country you're in. Where a fair use defence might stand up, is if you play a segment of a song for educational, criticism, or commentary purposes. It's much less likely to be valid ...

Is it legal to play music on podcasts?

There are loads of different ways to get quality music that's totally legal to play on your show. There's free tracks you can use under a Creative Commons license, and you can buy the rights to use Royalty Free music too. Here are our favourite options for finding podcast music that are safe and legal to use.

Can you play a CD in public?

If you still own a CD, take a look at the small print on the sleeve. I guarantee there'll be something around how you can't play it “ in public”. Bottom line is, without an additional license, you wouldn't be allowed to play it in a small shop, let alone stick it on a podcast episode.

How long can you use copyrighted music?

A common misconception around copyrighted music is that it’s OK to use it as long as you use 30 seconds or less. Unfortunately, this is not true. It doesn’t matter if you use one second or an entire song, if you have not secured the rights to use a piece of copyrighted media, you are not allowed to use it in any form.

What is the best advice for copyrighted audio?

The use of copyrighted media can be a slippery slope, and the best advice is to purchase a license from a stock audio website. This will ensure you that any audio files you use in your podcast will be legally obtained.

What is fair use in podcasts?

Fair use is the legal principle that the public is entitled to freely use portions of copyrighted materials for the purpose of commentary and criticism. While this is true, it does not apply to freely using copyrighted material in your podcast in any way you wish.

What does it mean when a work is in the public domain?

A work is in the public domain if the copyright has expired or if the artist has dedicated their work to the public domain. Before using any media you believe to be in the public domain, make sure to do your due diligence in confirming this is the case.

What is the first option to license music?

Licensing music and audio. Your first option is to license the rights to a piece of music or sound. Basically, licensing requires you to purchase the permission to use a piece of copyrighted material.

What is the myth about podcasts?

Myth #3: The nonprofit rule. Another popular myth is that as long as your podcast isn’t available to the general public, and doesn’t make you any money, then you are free to use whatever media you wish. This is also not true.

What is Creative Commons?

Creative Commons is an open licensing standard that allows creators of content to share their work under clear and transparent terms. This means that artists are able to make their work available at no cost to use, so long as you follow the rules set by the artist. Assets under creative commons will usually break down how you can and can’t use the work (i.e. free to use, not-for-profit only, requires attribution). As long as you follow the rules set forth in the creative commons license, you are free to use this type of music and media.