If you’re making videos and you’re not sure how to handle the music side of things, this guide covers the basics. From why music matters in the first place to how licensing works and how to pick the right track, this is a starting point for anyone who wants to get it right without overcomplicating it.

Why Music Matters in Video

Music does more work than most people realise. A corporate video with no music feels flat. A YouTube explainer with the wrong track feels off. And a brand video with a great soundtrack feels polished, even if the visuals are simple.

Here’s what background music actually does for your video:

It sets the emotional tone before anyone says a word. It creates pacing and momentum. It smooths over transitions and edit cuts. It signals professionalism and production quality. And it keeps viewers engaged, especially during sections with dense information or slow visuals.

Music isn’t decoration. It’s a structural element of your video.

The Basics of Music Licensing

Before you drop a track into your timeline, you need to understand licensing. Using music without the right licence can result in your video being muted, demonetised, or taken down entirely.

Here’s the short version:

Royalty-free music lets you pay once and use the track without ongoing royalty payments. This is the most common model for video producers and content creators.

Creative Commons music is shared under open licences with specific conditions. Some allow commercial use, some don’t. Always read the specific licence type.

Copyright-free / public domain music has no copyright restrictions. But this is rare and you need to be careful. The composition might be free, but the recording might not be.

Traditional licensing involves negotiating sync and master licences separately. This is how the film and TV industry works, but it’s usually too slow and expensive for most video projects.

For most people reading this, royalty-free production music is the right choice. It’s affordable, it’s fast, and the licensing is clear.

How to Choose Music for Your Video

Choosing the right track comes down to a few key questions:

What’s the mood? Are you going for upbeat and energising? Calm and professional? Emotional and cinematic? Start with mood, not genre.

What’s the tempo? Fast cuts need faster music. Slow, thoughtful content works better with something relaxed. Match the energy of your edit.

Is there voiceover? If your video has narration or dialogue, you need instrumental music that sits underneath without competing. Vocal tracks almost always get in the way.

How long is the video? Some tracks build and evolve over several minutes. Others stay consistent. Match the track length and structure to your edit.

Who’s the audience? A tech startup promo needs different music than a children’s educational video. Think about what your viewers expect and what will feel right to them.

A quick tip: listen to the track while watching your video, even as a rough test. If it feels natural, you’re on the right path. If it feels distracting, try something else.

Common Mistakes Beginners Make

Using music with lyrics under voiceover. This is the number one mistake. When there are two sets of words competing for attention, the viewer tunes out. Keep it instrumental.

Choosing music that’s too loud or too prominent. Background music is called “background” for a reason. It should support, not dominate. A good rule of thumb is that the music should be something you feel rather than consciously hear.

Using popular songs without a licence. Just because you love a track doesn’t mean you can use it. Popular music is heavily protected, and Content ID will catch it.

Ignoring the emotional tone. A cheerful ukulele track under a serious corporate message sends mixed signals. Make sure the music matches the emotion of your content, not just the genre label.

Using the same track for everything. It’s tempting to find one track you like and use it across all your projects. But your audience will notice, and it can make different projects feel stale or repetitive.

Where to Find Good Production Music

You’ve got a few options:

Large stock music marketplaces. Huge catalogues, lots of choice, but the quality is inconsistent and the licensing terms vary. It can take a long time to find what you need.

Subscription services. Monthly or annual plans that give you access to a library. Good for high-volume producers. But check what happens to your licence if you cancel (we have a heavily discounted subscription service, for example).

Independent production music libraries. Smaller catalogues with higher quality control. The music is usually composed with specific production needs in mind. Licensing is often simpler and more transparent.

Custom composition. Hiring a composer to write original music for your project. This gives you the best fit but costs more and takes longer.

For most video producers, a dedicated production music library offers the best balance of quality, affordability, and simplicity.

Getting the Technical Side Right

Once you’ve chosen your track, there are a few practical things to keep in mind:

File format. WAV files give you the best quality for editing. MP3s are fine for online-only content but can introduce subtle artefacts.

Volume levels. Mix your music to sit around -18 to -24 LUFS under dialogue or voiceover. This gives you a clean, professional sound without drowning the narration.

Fades and cuts. Don’t let music start or stop abruptly unless it’s a deliberate creative choice. Use fades to smooth transitions.

Looping. If your video is longer than the track, check whether it loops cleanly before repeating it.

Start With Good Habits

The music in your video tells your audience a lot about the quality of your work, even if they don’t consciously notice it. Getting the basics right, choosing well, licensing properly, and mixing carefully, makes a real difference in how your content is received.

Please note, some blog posts may contain affiliate links to products. If you click on them and decide to buy the product, we earn a small commission which helps us support our work creating posts like this and videos etc. Thank you for your support!