Royalty-Free Music for Videos: Complete Guide 2024

Here's what you need to know about using royalty-free music in your videos:

What it is: Music you pay for once and can use multiple times without extra fees
Why use it: Cost-effective, simple licensing, saves time, helps build brand consistency
Where to find it: YouTube Audio Library, AKM Music, Thematic
How to use it:
1. Download from a reputable site
2. Check the license terms
3. Add to your video editor
4. Balance with other audio
5. Give credit if required

Aspect	Royalty-Free Music	Copyrighted Music
Payment	One-time fee	Ongoing royalties
Usage rights	Broad use allowed	Limited, needs permission
Ease of use	Simple to license	Can be complex

Key tips:

Match music to your video's mood and pace
Use music sparingly
Always check and follow license terms
Organize your music files for easy access
Be prepared to handle copyright claims

Remember: Using royalty-free music correctly can enhance your videos while saving you time and money.

Basics of Royalty-Free Music

Types of Royalty-Free Music

Royalty-free music comes in many types to fit different video needs:

Type	Description	Common Use
Background	Soft instrumental tracks	Setting mood
Upbeat	Energetic tunes	Ads, vlogs
Cinematic	Big, dramatic sounds	Films, trailers
Lo-fi	Calm, relaxing beats	Study, focus videos
Electronic	Various digital sounds	Many video types

How It Differs from Copyrighted Music

Royalty-free music is not the same as copyrighted music:

Aspect	Royalty-Free Music	Copyrighted Music
Payment	One-time fee	Ongoing royalties
Usage rights	Broad use allowed	Limited, needs permission
Ownership	Creator keeps rights	Creator keeps rights
Ease of use	Simple to license	Can be complex

Advantages for Creators

Using royalty-free music helps video makers in many ways:

Saves money: Pay once, use many times
Easy to use: Simple licenses, less paperwork
More choices: Lots of music styles to pick from
Less worry: Lower risk of breaking copyright rules

These benefits make royalty-free music a good choice for many video projects.

Where to Find Royalty-Free Music

Top Websites for Royalty-Free Music

Here are some popular websites for finding royalty-free music:

Website	What They Offer	Cost
YouTube Audio Library	Free music and sound effects, search filters	Free
AKM Music	Many music types, sorted by style and mood	$8-$40
Thematic	Music you can change, big library	Free-$100+

How to Search Effectively

To find the right royalty-free music:

Use clear words: Describe the mood, type, or instruments you want
Look for the right length: Pick music that fits your video's time
Check the rules: Make sure you can use the music for your needs

Checking Music Quality

Before you download, make sure the music is good:

Listen first: Hear how the music sounds and feels
Check the file type: Make sure it works with your video software
See what others say: Look at what other users think about the music

How to Download Royalty-Free Music

Step-by-Step Download Process

Here's how to download royalty-free music:

Pick a website (e.g., YouTube Audio Library, AKM Music, Thematic)
Search for music using filters
Listen to the track
Read the license
Download the file

Reading License Terms

Before downloading, check the license terms:

What to Check	Why It's Important
Usage rights	Know what you can do with the music
Restrictions	Avoid using music in ways not allowed
Territory	See where you can use the music

Organizing Your Music Files

Keep your music files tidy:

Make folders for different music types or projects
Use clear file names with song title, artist, and license info
Keep a list of licenses and their terms

Tips for Good File Organization

Tip	Benefit
Use consistent naming	Easy to find files
Back up your files	Protect your music collection
Update your system	Keep track of new downloads

Adding Music to Your Videos

Picking the Right Song

To choose a good song for your video:

Tip	Explanation
Match the genre	Pick a song that fits your video type
Check the tempo	Use fast songs for quick videos, slow songs for calm ones
Listen to lyrics	Make sure the words fit your video's message

Adding Music to Your Editing Software

Steps to add music to your video:

Import the song file
Adjust how loud the song is
Make the song start and stop at the right times in your video

Balancing Music and Voice Levels

Tips for making sure you can hear both the music and talking:

Tip	How to do it
Use audio meters	Look at the sound levels in your editing software
Change volume levels	Make the music quieter when someone is talking
Try ducking	Set the music to get softer automatically when there's talking

Tips for Using Royalty-Free Music

Matching Music to Video Content

When picking music for your video, make sure it fits well. Here's how:

Aspect	What to Do
Mood	Choose music that matches your video's feeling
Tempo	Pick a song speed that fits your video's pace
Lyrics	Make sure the words fit your video's message

Using Music Sparingly

Don't overuse music in your videos. Here are some tips:

Use music for key moments only
Keep the music volume low
Use music to show differences between scenes

Giving Credit to Music Sources

Always give credit when you use royalty-free music:

Step	Action
Check license	See if you need to give credit
Add info	Put song title and artist in your video credits
Link to source	Add a link to where you got the music

How to Give Credit

Look at the music license
Write the song and artist names in your video description
Add a link to where you found the music

Legal Aspects of Royalty-Free Music

Types of Music Licenses

Here are the main types of music licenses for videos:

License Type	What It Means
Public Domain	Free to use, no copyright
Royalty-Free	Pay once, use many times
Creative Commons	Free to use with some rules

Following License Rules

To use royalty-free music correctly:

Read the whole license
Make sure you can use the music how you want
Give credit to the music maker if needed

Common Legal Mistakes to Avoid

Don't make these mistakes with royalty-free music:

Mistake	Why It's Bad
Using music without permission	Can get you in trouble
Not giving credit	Might break the license rules
Using free music for business	Might need a special license

Remember:

Always check if you can use the music
Give credit if the license says so
Get a business license if you're making money

Fixing Common Problems

Handling Copyright Claims

Even with royalty-free music, you might get copyright claims. Here's what to do:

Step	Action
1. Check license	Look at the rules for using the music
2. Make sure it's royalty-free	Check if the music is really free to use
3. Fight the claim	Tell the platform you have the right to use the music
4. Show proof	Give evidence that you can use the music

Fixing Poor Audio Quality

Bad sound can make your video less good. To fix it:

Look at the music file
Change audio settings in your video software
Use special audio software to make the music sound better
Try a different song if nothing else works

Solving Music-Video Sync Issues

When music doesn't match your video, try these fixes:

Problem	Solution
Wrong speed	Pick music that matches your video's speed
Bad timing	Change when the music starts and stops
Music doesn't fit	Try a different version of the song
Hard to sync	Add text or pictures to help match the music

Advanced Music Techniques

Combining Multiple Songs

Using more than one song in your video can make it sound better. Here's how to do it:

Pick songs that sound good together
Use songs in the same key
Try different song lengths
Make sure all songs are at the right volume

Song Mix	How to Use It
Start + Main + End	Use a short song to start, a longer one for most of the video, and another short one to end
Background + Highlight	Use one song for the background and another to make important parts stand out
Mix	Blend two or more songs to make a new sound

Making Custom Loops and Fades

Loops and fades can make your video sound smoother. Here's what to do:

Looping: Find a part of a song that can repeat well and use it over and over
Fading: Slowly make a song louder or quieter
Crossfading: Blend two songs together by overlapping them

Technique	What It Does
Simple Loop	Repeat a short part of a song
Fade-In/Fade-Out	Slowly make a song louder or quieter
Crossfade	Mix two songs together smoothly

Adding Sound Effects with Music

Sound effects can make your video's audio better. Here are some tips:

Choose sound effects that go well with the music
Don't use too many sound effects
Try putting sound effects in different places

Sound Effect Use	What It Does
Accent	Make a specific moment stand out
Background	Add a constant sound to set the mood
Music-Matched	Time a sound effect with the music's beat

Wrap-Up

Main Points to Remember

Here are the key things to keep in mind when using royalty-free music in your videos:

Point	Explanation
Pick the right music	Choose songs that fit your video's mood and message
Don't overuse music	Too much music can take away from your content
Check the license	Make sure you understand how you can use the music
Give credit	If the license says so, mention where you got the music

Try New Music in Your Videos

Using different kinds of royalty-free music can make your videos better. Here's how:

Tip	How to do it
Try different types	Listen to various music styles to find what works best
Use music to set the mood	Pick songs that help show the feelings in your video
Blend songs	Put different songs together to make your own sound

FAQs

How can I download royalty-free music?

To get royalty-free music:

Go to websites that offer free music for videos
Pick a song you like
Read the license terms
Download the file

Popular websites include:

Website	What they offer
YouTube Audio Library	Free music and sound effects
Free Music Archive	Various genres of free music
Incompetech	Royalty-free music by Kevin MacLeod
Envato Market	Paid music with different license options

What is the best website for royalty-free music?

The best website depends on what you need. Here are some good options:

Website	Features
Artlist	High-quality music, simple licensing
Epidemic Sound	Large library, good for YouTubers
Envato Elements	Music, plus other creative assets
Soundstripe	Affordable plans, good selection

What free music can I use on Facebook?

You can use:

Music from Facebook's in-app library
Tracks from Epidemic Sound (they have a deal with Facebook)

Always check the rules before using any music on Facebook.

How to find YouTube royalty-free music?

To find free music for YouTube:

Go to YouTube Studio
Click on "Audio Library"
Browse or search for music
Download the tracks you want

Can I use royalty-free music on YouTube for free?

Yes, you can use royalty-free music on YouTube for free. But remember:

Read the license terms
Some music might need credit
Not all free music is okay for making money

Always check the rules for each song you use.