Top 6 Royalty-Free Music Sites For YouTuber (2024)

Music is a vital part of any video. It sets the mood, enhances the message, and keeps viewers engaged. If you’re a YouTube creator, you know how crucial the right soundtrack can be. But finding good music without breaking the bank or getting into legal trouble can be challenging. That’s where royalty-free music comes in. In this blog post, I’ll guide you through the best sources for royalty-free music and offer tips on how to use it effectively.

Understanding Royalty-Free Music

What exactly is royalty-free music? It’s music you can use without having to pay royalties every time it’s played. Instead, you pay a one-time fee or, in some cases, no fee at all. This makes it a cost-effective option for YouTubers. However, “royalty-free” doesn’t always mean “free.” Some platforms charge a subscription fee or a one-time purchase price. The key benefit is that once you’ve paid, you can use the music in your videos without worrying about additional costs or legal issues.

Top Sources for Royalty-Free Music

1. YouTube Audio Library

The easiest and most user-friendly way to find royalty-free music is the YouTube Audio Library. If you’re a YouTuber on a budget, you can get over 150k music tracks totally free by creating a YouTube channel.

• Features and Benefits: This is a free resource provided by YouTube itself. The library offers a wide range of music and sound effects that you can use in your videos.
• Types of Music Available: From classical to contemporary, there’s a variety of genres to choose from.
• How to Use It: Simply go to YouTube Studio, navigate to the Audio Library, and download the tracks you like.
• Pros: Free to use, easy to access, wide variety of genres.
• Cons: Limited selection compared to paid services, can be overused by other YouTubers.

1. Epidemic Sound

It is one of my favorite places to find high-quality background music for videos. Epidemic Sound collaborates with some fantastic musicians. You can access the largest music and sound effects catalog of its kind, seen and heard over 2.5 billion times per day, and it has over 40,000 tracks of royalty-free music, making it a popular platform for YouTubers.

• Subscription Model: Epidemic Sound offers a subscription service that gives you access to a vast library of high-quality music.
• Quality and Variety: The tracks are professionally produced, covering a wide range of genres and moods.
• Licensing Details: With a subscription, you can use the music on all your YouTube videos without worrying about copyright strikes.
• Pros: High-quality music, extensive library, no copyright worries.
• Cons: Subscription fee, not ideal for creators with a tight budget.

1. Artlist

It has over 22k royalty-free songs and over 27k sound effects that are updated daily.

• Unique Selling Points: Artlist is known for its high-quality music and straightforward licensing. One subscription covers all your needs.
• Pricing and Plans: They offer various subscription plans to suit different budgets.
• User Testimonials: Many YouTubers praise Artlist for its excellent selection and ease of use.
• Pros: Unlimited downloads, simple licensing, high-quality tracks.
• Cons: Subscription cost, may have some less diverse genres.

1. Bensound

• Free and Paid Options: Bensound offers both free and paid tracks. The free tracks require attribution, while the paid ones do not.
• Licensing Terms: The terms are clear and easy to follow, making it a popular choice for YouTubers.
• Popular Genres and Tracks: You can find music for any type of video, from upbeat corporate tunes to mellow background music.
• Pros: Free options available, clear licensing, versatile selection.
• Cons: Free tracks require attribution, limited library compared to paid services.

1. Incompetech

When I visited this site for the first time, I thought it might not offer much value, but I was wrong. It has a large amount of music tracks.

• History and Creator: Created by Kevin MacLeod, Incompetech offers a wide range of free music.
• Usage and Attribution Requirements: Most tracks are free to use with attribution.
• Popular Tracks and Genres: Incompetech is especially known for its quirky and unique tracks.
• Pros: Free to use with attribution, unique and varied tracks.
• Cons: Attribution required, less mainstream selection.

1. Free Music Archive (FMA)

Free Music Archive (FMA) offers free access to open-licensed, original music by independent artists around the world. Tens of millions of online visitors browse the FMA catalog each month to find and download original songs for personal use or feature tracks in media projects. Tracks on FMA are featured in countless videos, podcasts, films, games, apps, commercials, documentaries, and more.

• Community and Curation: FMA features a diverse collection of music curated by a community of artists.
• Licensing Options: Various licensing options are available, so be sure to check the terms for each track.
• Navigating the Archive: The site is user-friendly, making it easy to find the perfect track for your video.
• Pros: Free music, diverse genres, community-driven.
• Cons: Varying licensing terms, may require more effort to find suitable tracks.

How to Choose the Best Music for Your YouTube Videos

Choosing the right music is more than just picking a track you like. Here are some tips:

• Match Music to Content: Ensure the music fits the theme and tone of your video. For example, an upbeat track for a travel vlog or a soft, calming piece for a meditation video.
• Quality vs. Quantity: It’s better to have a few high-quality tracks than a large number of mediocre ones.
• Licensing Considerations: Always check the licensing terms to avoid any legal issues.
• Audience Engagement: Choose music that enhances the viewer’s experience and keeps them engaged.

Tips for Using Music Effectively in YouTube Videos

• Volume Control: Make sure the music doesn’t overpower your dialogue. Adjust the volume to create a balanced mix.
• Timing and Pacing: Sync your music with visual elements to enhance the storytelling.
• Looping and Editing: Learn how to loop and edit tracks seamlessly to fit the length of your video.
• Credits and Attribution: Always credit the music source if required. This not only follows legal guidelines but also shows respect for the creators.

Conclusion

Finding and using royalty-free music can significantly enhance your YouTube videos without causing legal or financial headaches. From the YouTube Audio Library to premium services like Epidemic Sound and Artlist, there are plenty of options to suit your needs. Remember to choose music that complements your content and to follow the licensing terms to stay on the safe side.

Additional Resources

• Links to Sources: Check out the following platforms: YouTube Audio Library, Epidemic Sound, Artlist, Bensound, Incompetech, Free Music Archive.
• Further Reading: Explore articles on improving your YouTube content with music and other multimedia elements.
• Tools and Software: Consider using audio editing software like Audacity or Adobe Audition to fine-tune your tracks.

Closing Remarks

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences with using royalty-free music. Feel free to share your favorite sources or tips in the comments below. And don’t forget to subscribe to Digitalize Expert for more tips and resources on enhancing your YouTube content!