Music is a great way to connect with an audience. When incorporated into videos, it can transform them into powerful tools of communication and business.
However, finding good background music can sometimes be tough–especially considering the legal issues associated with copyright infringement.
That said, stock music is generally recommended when it comes to video editing. It creates the same effect on the viewer but eliminates all the stress associated with acquiring the rights to songs.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to find good music for videos, follow along! We’ll give you all the information you need to know to create a video your viewers can connect to.
Tips For Finding Good Background Music
Here are seven expert tips for finding the music you need for your videos.
1. Find the Perfect Tone
What role will music play in your video? Are you trying to inspire, inform, or appeal to certain emotions? Do you want the songs to drive the message or support it?
The answers to these questions will allow you to find genres or categories of music that fit best with the message of your video.
For instance, if you intend to inspire an audience, a song with a tune similar to “Eye of the Tiger” will work perfectly. Its upbeat rhythm keeps you wanting more and at the edge of your feet. It’s also strong enough to drive your message but not so overpowering that it interferes with the goal of your video.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different genres if you feel like it sounds off or strange. The more songs you play, the more clearly you’ll know what you’re looking for.
2. Explore Online Music Libraries
Once you’ve established the genres you want to try, take a look at some online, royalty-free sites.
They house thousands of songs that are free and legal to use without permission. Some of these online libraries are incredibly advanced, allowing you to search songs in terms of sonic density, instrumentation, genres, and type of score.
Some great stock music options to check out include:
- Bedtracks
- Premiumbeat
- Yookamusic
- Pumpaudio
- Themusicdealers
Just make sure you read their licensing agreements before utilizing any of the songs. You don’t want to get in hot water!
3. Sonic Frequency and Pacing
Studies have shown that humans have physical and psychological responses to music. High frequencies tend to elicit feelings of happiness and hope. Lower frequencies, on the other hand, convey power and strength.
Figuring out what your core message is can help you find music in the right frequencies to fit your tone.
Additionally, consider the pacing of the song you’re choosing. If your video is slow and has a deep meaning, don’t pick a fast-paced song. Find something that matches the high and low points of your content.
4. Use Intro and Outro Music
A video that jumps straight into a song can be startling. It appears choppy and unprofessional.
Instead, it is always recommended to use intro and outro music that fades in and out. It gently brings viewers into contact with the subject matter without accidentally giving them a scare.
There are tools that help you find the perfect intro and outro music based on the song(s) you’ve chosen for the remainder of the video. They analyze the track and pick similar melodies that won’t appear choppy when stitched onto the main song.
A great one is Bedtracks. Its Sonic Search Tool allows you to analyze tracks from Youtube, Vimeo, Sound Cloud, and regular mp3 files. This lets you find the perfect royalty free intro and outro songs.
5. Consider Hiring a Composer
Royalty free tracks sometimes don’t cut it. You may spend hours trying different songs on your videos and none of them may sound perfect.
If this occurs, it’s not a crazy idea to hire a composer. If you know your budget, it can be a great decision.
Composers will be able to create the perfect song for your video if you give them specifications. They will typically charge anywhere between $10-$100 for a short video and upwards of $300-$1000 for the soundtrack of a short film.
6. Language
There are numerous music libraries out there in different languages. Stay clear from these!
Download music only from sites you can fully understand. Legal issues due to translation inconsistencies are not something you want to get caught up with.
Instead, find a website in your native language and make sure you understand how you’re able to use their music legally.
7. Vocals
One of the most important points for finding good music for videos is understanding when it is appropriate to include vocals. If your video has a voiceover throughout most or the entirety of it, stay away from vocals and focus on instrumentals.
However, if your video is primarily scenery or is very visually heavy, you may want to include vocals. They will keep your viewers interested and they may even begin to associate those songs with your brand.
It’s a popular marketing tool used by many companies.
Wrapping Up
Music can make or break your video. It can also take a good video and make it great. That is why it’s so important to find good background music.
With so many options online, it can be overwhelming–especially if this is your first time searching for royalty free music. Hopefully, these tips will make your journey easier and help you create a fantastic, relatable video.
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