MUSIC LICENSING FOR PODCASTS:HOW IT WORKS

Discover thousands of new tracks from millions of independent artists in our Sync Library

We make it easy to license royalty-free music for your podcast

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Browse the Sync Library

Pick Your Model

License Music

UnitedMasters makes it easy for brands and agencies to license music for commercial use from millions of independent artists. Browse our pre-cleared library to get started.

Choose between a single-use license, or start a monthly subscription for full access to our music library.

Once you've found the right track, simply add it to your cart and complete the checkout flow. Download your audio files and use them to soundtrack all of your content needs.

Licensing Music For Podcasts Just Got Easier

Take your content creation to the next level with UnitedMasters Sync. Browse pre-cleared music from today's hottest independent artists and producers.

Browse Music By Real Artists

Brands, advertisers and content creators can now license music from artists that share their values & personality. Filter by genre, hometown, follower count and more to find the perfect artist & track for you.

Leverage The Power Of Community

Tap into our artists' dedicated fanbases to help spread your message more effectively.  Studies show that music fans are much more likely to engage with brands & creators that support the artists they follow.

Define Your Podcast's Theme and Tone: Understanding the essence of your content will help you identify the appropriate mood and style of music.

Identify Your Target Audience: Different demographics may have varying tastes in music, so tailor your selection to appeal to your core listeners.

Tips on Choosing the Right Music for Your Podcast:

Match Music to Content: The music should always complement the content and enhance the storytelling.

Music —when used correctly— has the ability to evoke powerful emotions and enhance the impact of visual content. Sync licensing allows filmmakers, advertisers, and content creators to carefully select and synchronize music to create a more immersive and engaging experience for the audience.

Prioritize Background Music: In most cases, instrumentals work best for podcasts because lyrics can interfere with spoken content and become distracting.

Test and Seek Feedback: Before finalizing your music, test it out by incorporating it into your podcast's episodes. 

Be Open to Change: As your podcast evolves, you may find that the music no longer fits the direction or tone. Be open to reevaluating your music choices as needed.

“At Bose, we’re passionate about sound and know music is integral to the experiences we deliver our customers. UnitedMasters has been a great partner over the last 5 years, providing critical guidance to us on music trends and helping us select music across a wide array of genres that meet our needs and help us reach our community of music lovers.”

—Nichole Hynes, Executive Producer at Bose

SYNC FEATURES

Our independent advantage

Label Music

Stock Music

Direct pipeline to the hottest new music

Curated playlists delivered in hours

Custom compositions created in two weeks

Access to global fans and followers

On-demand library with clearance across all media in perpetuity*

*Digital, Social, Broadcast, Streaming, In-Stadium/Arena, In-Store, Web3

Dynamic Headline

Dynamic Image

License music for films

Build the soundtrack for your next short film or feature length production.

Cleared music for YouTube

Level up your content with the hottest new music from millions of independent artists.

Audio for advertisers

Tap into the power of music for your next thumb-stopping brand campaign.

Soundtrack your stream

Find the perfect background music for your next livestream.

Premium sound for your podcast

Upgrade your podcast with label-quality tracks from independent artists.

License songs from music's hottest independent artists

We have a direct pipeline to the hottest new music streamed around the globe. Our on-demand library makes it easy to browse & license songs for your content.

Music Licensing For Podcasts FAQs

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO LICENSE MUSIC FOR A PODCAST?

The cost of licensing music for a podcast may vary based on the duration of the music usage, the intended audience size, and the specific rights required. At UnitedMasters, we offer flexible pricing options tailored to meet the needs and budgets of brands and content creators to make music licensing accessible and affordable.

WHAT KIND OF LICENSE IS REQUIRED TO PUT MUSIC IN PODCASTS?

Podcasters typically require a synchronization license (sync license) to incorporate music into their content legally. A sync license grants the rights to sync the music with visual content. UnitedMasters provides sync licenses for our extensive library of over 1.5M+ independent artists, allowing brands to find and obtain the necessary permissions to use music in their videos in a fully compliant manner.

DO I NEED PERMISSION TO USE MUSIC IN MY PODCAST?

Yes, as a brand or content creator, you need permission to use music in your content. Music is protected by copyright, and using it without proper licensing or permission can lead to copyright infringement. UnitedMasters simplifies the process by offering pre-cleared sync licenses, so you can use music in your podcasts legally.

CAN I USE COPYRIGHTED MUSIC IN MY PODCAST IF I GIVE CREDIT?

While it may be a common courtesy, giving credit alone isn't sufficient to use copyrighted music legally in your podcast. Copyright law grants exclusive rights to the copyright owner, and obtaining proper licensing or permissions is always best, regardless of whether credit is given or not. UnitedMasters provides a library of pre-cleared music so you never have to worry about copyright infringement.

CAN I STILL USE THE MUSIC I'VE LICENSED AFTER I STOP MY SUBSCRIPTION?

If you choose to cancel your UnitedMasters subscription, you can still use the music you've licensed from the library in content that was created during the term of your subscription. Any content published during the subscription period may remain active, and you retain the rights to use the licensed tracks in perpetuity for those specific videos.

However, it's important to note that if you opt out of the subscription, you will no longer be able to run ads with the licensed music. The rights for running ads with the content are restricted to the duration of your subscription. For organic posts and archival purposes, you can keep the licensed music up indefinitely.

HOW LONG IS MY SYNC LICENSE WITH UNITEDMASTERS VALID FOR?

The duration of your sync license depends on the specific licensing agreement you choose. At UnitedMasters, we offer various licensing options, including both short-term and long-term licenses, allowing you to select the duration that best suits your needs.

CAN I STILL MONETIZE MY PODCAST IF I USE MUSIC FROM UNITEDMASTERS?

Yes, you can still monetize your podcasts when using music from UnitedMasters. We work directly with platforms like YouTube to ensure that the necessary licenses and permissions are in place. This enables you to monetize your video through ads and other revenue-generating methods while using our licensed music. You can continue to earn revenue from your video without any conflicts or copyright issues.

WHAT PLATFORMS, APPS, AND SERVICES CAN UNITEDMASTERS LICENSES BE USED ON?

UnitedMasters licenses can be used on a variety of platforms, apps, and services. This includes but is not limited to YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitch, and various other popular digital platforms. Our licenses are designed to provide you with the flexibility to use the licensed music across multiple platforms and reach your audience wherever they engage with your content.