As a content creator, music is a powerful tool to elevate your videos, evoke emotions, and create an immersive experience for your audience. However, navigating copyright laws can be tricky. Using copyrighted music without permission could lead to your content being flagged, demonetized, or even taken down. That’s why finding copyright-free music is essential.
But what exactly is copyright-free music, and where can you access it? In this blog post, we’ll cover the basics and point you to 7 great sources where you can access free, copyright-free music for your YouTube channel, social media posts, or other creative projects.
What is Copyright-Free Music?
First, let's clear up a common misconception: "copyright-free" doesn’t mean the music has no copyright at all. It simply means the creator has allowed it to be used without infringing copyright laws. This can come in the form of royalty-free music (which requires a one-time payment) or music available under a Creative Commons license (which often requires attribution to the original creator).
Whether you’re making short-form content or long-form videos, using copyright-free music ensures you stay in good standing with platforms like YouTube while still adding a professional touch to your projects.
Now, let’s dive into 7 top places to find free, copyright-free music!
1. YouTube Audio Library
The YouTube Audio Library is a go-to resource for creators looking for free music to use in their videos. This extensive library offers thousands of tracks in various genres and moods, making it easy to find the right sound for your project. The library is regularly updated with new tracks, ensuring a fresh selection for creators. Whether you're looking for upbeat electronic music or calming acoustic melodies, the YouTube Audio Library has something to suit every style and preference.
How to Access:
To access the YouTube Audio Library, simply log into your YouTube account and navigate to the Creator Studio. From there, click on "Audio Library" under the "Create" section. You can search by genre, mood, instrument, and duration to find the perfect track for your video. The platform's intuitive search function allows you to filter and preview tracks efficiently. This ensures that you can quickly locate music that aligns with the tone and theme of your content.
Why use it?
- Completely free
- Diverse selection of music
- Easy to navigate
- No attribution required for many tracks
Pro Tip: While browsing, you can filter by genre, mood, instrument, and duration to find the perfect track that fits your content.
2. Free Music Archive (FMA)
Free Music Archive is a well-known platform for music that’s freely available to the public. It’s a library of high-quality, legal audio downloads curated by various artists and labels.
Why use it?
- Offers a mix of free and royalty-free music
- Tracks are categorized by genre and license type
- Ideal for background music and sound effects
Pro tip: Always check the licensing details. Some tracks may require attribution or may be restricted for commercial use.
3. Bensound
Bensound is a popular platform that offers royalty-free music across genres like jazz, cinematic, acoustic, and electronic. While some tracks are paid, many are free as long as you credit the artist.
Why use it?
- High-quality, royalty-free tracks
- Great for both personal and commercial use
- Free downloads with proper attribution
Pro tip: Bensound is perfect for creators looking for music with an emotional or cinematic feel.
4. Incompetech
If you’re a fan of royalty-free music, Incompetech is a must-visit. Created by composer Kevin MacLeod, it offers thousands of tracks across multiple genres.
Why use it?
- A huge catalog of free music
- Most tracks are available under Creative Commons Attribution license
- Suitable for YouTube, podcasts, and even films
Pro tip: If you’re ever in doubt about copyright claims, Kevin MacLeod’s music is a safe bet, as his works are widely used by creators across platforms.
5. Artlist (Free Plan)
While Artlist is best known for its premium music library, it also offers a selection of high-quality, royalty-free tracks for free users. You can download a limited number of songs each month with their free plan.
Why use it?
- High-quality, curated music
- Easy licensing options
- Suitable for commercial projects
Pro tip: The free plan is a great way to explore their offerings before committing to a paid subscription.
6. Epidemic Sound (Free Trial)
Epidemic Sound is one of the most popular platforms for creators looking for professional-quality royalty-free music. They offer a 30-day free trial where you can access thousands of tracks and sound effects.
Why use it?
- Extensive library of professionally composed tracks
- Covers a wide variety of genres and moods
- Perfect for creators looking for commercial-use music
Pro tip: If you don’t want to commit to a subscription, make the most of the free trial by downloading tracks for multiple projects.
7. SoundCloud (Creative Commons)
SoundCloud is a hub for independent artists, and many offer their music under Creative Commons licenses. While not all music on the platform is copyright-free, there’s a section where you can search specifically for tracks that are.
Why use it?
- Huge variety of music across all genres
- Opportunity to support indie artists
- Music that can give your content a unique, authentic vibe
Pro tip: When browsing, make sure to filter the search results for tracks licensed under Creative Commons to avoid copyright issues.
Finding free copyright-free music for YouTube videos doesn't have to be a daunting task. With resources like YouTube Audio Library, Free Music Archive, Bensound, Incompetech, Artlist, Epidemic Sound, and SoundCloud, you have access to a wealth of music options for any video project. Each platform offers a unique selection of music, ensuring that you can find the perfect track to enhance your content. Always check the licensing terms to ensure compliance and give proper attribution when required. By using these platforms, you can enhance your videos with high-quality music without the worry of copyright issues. This allows you to focus on creating engaging content that resonates with your audience and grows your channel effectively.
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