Our Favorite Music Sites
Our Favorite Music Websites
Here are a few of the websites we regularly use to gain access to music with legal licensing rights, at an affordable cost. We’ve done the research for you and included their “Personal Use” clauses directly from their website. We hope you find this resource useful, and let us know if you have questions.
FreePlay Music
Freeplay Music is an extensive online library of music with a good search field. Music is downloadable directly from the site with no registration or charges.
Freeplay’s music is free for personal use as defined:
2(c) Free Personal Use:
Subject to your full compliance with the terms of this paragraph 2 (c) and full execution of a FPM license, FPM grants free master recording and synchronization rights, to the FPM Production Music Library, excluding the FPM Indie Artist and Sound Effects Library, when FPM music is used for personal non-commercial purposes (personal listening pleasure, personal family slide show, (cannot be posted on a website.). The use / purpose must be non-revenue generating, either directly or indirectly (promo, demo or other similar uses are consider indirectly revenue generating for the purposes of the preceding sentence). Free Personal use excludes broadcast use of any kind, including, without limitation, web, blog, and podcast, gaming or shareware.
Internet Fees: Personal $25, Business $100
Multimedia Productions for Dstribution: $50 for 1-100 copies
Sound Snap
This is for sound effects rather than musical tracks. The price ranges from $9 for 5 sounds ($1.80/sound) up to $149 for 200 sounds ($0.75/sound) or unlimited annual subscription for $249.
They do have some music but it is shorter (15-30 second range).
RumbleFish
A Portland-based company with a library of over 30,000 titles.
Licensing per song for the usage of a soundtrack (background) to a wedding, event or other family production, for 1-10 DVD copies, for non-profit use is $10. 11-25 copies is $13. This INCLUDES Internet streaming rights and small performance rights.
Also, for external business use the license per song is $26.
RumbleFish’s Description:
You’ve recorded the family reunion, wedding, or birthday party and now want to produce a short run of DVDs. Our Wedding and Event license pack is just for you. If your budget is under $5,000 and you are making 500 copies or less we’ve got you covered including internet streaming and small performance rights across the universe.
The License Terms:
LICENSE: Wedding & Event Videogram
Terms and Conditions of Song Use: License made this day between Rumblefish, Inc., 107 SE Washington Street, Suite 700, Portland, OR 97214 and the company specified above (Licensee). Rumblefish grants Licensee the non-exclusive right to use the master recording(s) and underlying musical composition(s) listed above (individually and collectively, the “Song(s)”), in synchronism or timed-relation with a videogram made and produced by Licensee for the Production named above, in the capacity described below:
I.Videogram rights include the non-exclusive right and license to synchronize, fix, record, reproduce, use, distribute, and authorize the fixing of the Song(s) and portions thereof, in and as part of the Production for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, selling, renting, leasing, and licensing audio-visual devices (“videograms”) utilizing technology now known or hereinafter discovered, including but not limited to video cassettes, video discs (in all formats) and video downloads.
II.The non-exclusive right and license to synchronize, fix, record, reproduce, and perform publicly, either for profit or non-profit, and to authorize others so to perform the Song(s), as embodied in the Production, for non-theatrical exhibition, with or without admission charge, including but not limited to the right to perform the Song(s) by transmission of the Production into such locations.
III.Internet rights include the non-exclusive right and license to synchronize, fix, record, reproduce, and perform, exhibit and/or broadcast the Song(s), as embodied in the Production, for streaming video.
IV.Foreign language translations include the non-exclusive right and license to prepare, or have others prepare, foreign language translations of the lyrics of the Song(s), and to display and perform such translated lyrics in connection with the exhibition, performance and other use of the Production, in any and all media, whether now known or hereinafter devised.
V.No additional small performance rights from Performing Rights Organizations such as ASCAP are required. No mechanical licenses are required.
VI.Artist name and likenesses includes the non-exclusive right and license to use the name, likeness, and biographical material of any or all of the writers, artists, producers, (individually and collectively, the “Artists”) and titles in connection with the Song(s).
VII.License Term, Territory, Song Use and Song Use Duration are specified above in the “Invoice Description Field.” The License Term begins upon initial release of Production.
VIII.License Fee – By using the Song(s) in the Production, Licensee agrees to be bound by this Invoice and License. No rights are granted until Rumblefish receives full payment of the Fee. Nothing contained in this License obligates Licensee to embody the Song(s) in the Production and Rumblefish acknowledges that Licensee has not made and is not making any representation or warranty with respect to whether any use of the Song(s) will be made.
IX.Any disputes Licensee may have concerning the invoice amount, License Fee or the rights granted, including any rights to a refund, must be submitted to Rumblefish, Inc., in writing, within ten (10) days of the invoice date (see Notice below), or it shall be deemed that the Licensee accepts this invoice and License as issued.
X.Unless permitted in the License, you may not:
a.Sublicense, re-license, rent or lease any Song
b.Copy or publish any Song to a network or bulletin board
c.Otherwise distribute or allow any Song to be distributed to or used by anyone other than the authorized users, without prior written consent from Rumblefish.
d.Use any Song in connection with any form of pornography
e.Use any Song in a libelous, defamatory, fraudulent, infringing or otherwise illegal manner
f.Use any Song to promote a business that sells or licenses Songs, or otherwise competes with Rumblefish in any manner
g.Ship, transfer or export any of the Songs into any country or use any of the Songs in any manner prohibited by any export laws, restrictions or regulations
XI.Rumblefish warrants and represents that it has the right to enter into and perform this agreement, and that the proper exercise by Licensee of the rights granted hereunder will not violate the rights of any third party. Licensee warrants and represents that it has the right to enter into and perform this agreement.
XII.Indemnification – Rumblefish agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Licensee from any and all costs and expenses (including but not limited to legal costs and attorney fees) resulting from any and all claims inconsistent with such agreements, representations, or warranties made herein.
XIII.Breach and Remedies – Neither Rumblefish nor Licensee can be deemed in breach of this License, unless the notifying party gives notice of failure to perform to the other party and such failure is not cured within thirty (30) days from and after such notice or, if such breach is not reasonably capable of being cured within said thirty (30) day period, proceed with reasonable diligence to complete the curing of such breach thereafter. In the event of any uncured breach of this License, the remedy for either party is limited to remedy at law for money damages, if any, and in no event shall Rumblefish have the right in any manner to enjoin or restrain the Production.
XIV.Assignment – Licensee shall have the right to assign this license or any rights granted to Licensee hereunder, provided no such assignment relieves Licensee of any liability hereunder. Licensee shall not give such assignment without written notice from the assignee to Rumblefish of assignee’s further performance of Licensee’s obligations under this License.
XV.Notice – All notices hereunder shall be given by registered or certified (return receipt requested) mail, by telegraph, or by any other means by which delivery may be verified. Notice shall be given to the above addresses or to such other addresses as the parties may designate from time to time by notice delivered in like manner.
XVI.Governing law – This agreement has been entered into in, and is to be interpreted in accordance with the laws of, the state of Oregon. This agreement represents the entire agreement between the parties and may not be altered or amended except by a further writing signed by both parties.
XVII.In addition to this License, as a Registered User of the Rumblefish Music Licensing Store, you are bound by the terms and conditions to which you AGREED when you accepted the online Terms and Conditions Agreement during registration.
Zoom
(www.zoomlicense.com) – WEVA partner
Has a large selection (over 8500) of indie artist and classical songs, as well as a bunch of Motown hits. WEVA discount is $3.50 per license if purchased as a bundle (100 licenses), i.e. $350.
Zoom is meant for “personal use only”. What is meant by that is defined by Zoom here:
“Personal use” refers to the end use of the video production once it leaves your hands. In other words if a corporation is using a DVD that you produced internally, then you are covered. Special events, such as wedding videos given to the bride & groom, and photo montages, for example, are covered. Television broadcast use of any kind is NOT covered (to obtain TV clearances contact ZOOM administrators directly.) Use of copyrighted music licensed through ZOOM is not permitted beyond the scope of the specific use allowed by the Standard Videographer License (i.e. mass retail sale of the particular production as a store item, for example, is not permitted, but single purpose, work-for-hire is permitted).
One Zoom license covers up to 25 copies of a DVD. 50 copies would require 2 licenses, and so on.
Internet Streaming fee is $500 per 30 seconds of song!
LoopSound
LoopSound has a good collection of royalty-free music, although the high quality material is mixed in with some dated material (too much electronic synth, etc). They offer pre-compiled CD’s of 10 songs each for $99, which includes a very generous, pretty much “do anything with it” type license with very few restrictions. Individual full tracks are $29.99 each, cuts and edits are $24.99, and loops are $11.99.
See the license here:
Royalty Free Music License
Loopsound.com License Agreement
This license is between Loopsound.com (trading as Multimediasound.co.uk) known hereafter as ‘The Licensor’ and you (the purchaser of the music file) know hereafter as ‘The Licensee’
- This license is Royalty-free which means the purchase price is all you pay and no other royalties will be paid by you (‘The Licensee’).
- This license is non-exclusive which means all copyright remains the property of the copyright owner (the composers and publishers)
- This license is non-transferable which means that ‘The Licensee’ cannot give away, share or transfer this license or any of the music to any individual, third party or other business.
- This is a synchronisation license which means that ‘The Licensee’ can only use the music if it is in synchronisation with text, voice over, animation, multimedia content and other visuals which accompany the music.
- This license allows ‘The Licensee’ to sell, offer for download, manufacture or duplicate up to 5000 units. If the production run exceeds 5000 units or the music is to be used in major theatrical releases such as a commercial film, stage show or general public performance where there is a paying audience then ‘The Licensee’ will need to purchase an additional license. (see “Additional licenses” below)
- Term is in perpetuity meaning that ‘The Licensee’ will have lifetime synchronisation rights for the production.
- Territory is worldwide meaning that ‘The Licensee’ can market and distribute those productions worldwide.
‘The Licensee’ can use the music for:
- Commercial motion picture productions, broadcast, cable and satellite, TV and radio commercials, trailers, and promotional DVDs.
- Multimedia presentations including PowerPoint, Flash design and internet related productions, podcasts, webcasts and journalism etc.
- Video games, online and mobile games, educational toys, games and books, software applications and on-hold-messaging systems.
- Personal use and private listening or played in your business premises for your customers pleasure including restaurants, shops, malls, public performances, trade shows and live events.
‘The Licensee’ can:
- Alter/edit to the particular requirements of your project by cutting, stretching, looping etc. but not for the purpose of creating derived works.
- Use as background music with voice over for a video, audio and multimedia presentation such as meditation CDs, audio books or training videos.
- Use as background music in videos for Youtube, Metacafe, Myspace etc. ‘The Licensee’ must state the track name and composer/publisher information when required. (This information is included in your purchased download)
‘The Licensee’ cannot:
- Sell, sub-license, resell or give away the music on its own or as part of a music only CD.
- Create derived works from our music and claim it as your own such as editing, adding sounds, singing or rapping over the music and then passing it off as your own work.
- Use the music for website templates that are sold or given away for free.
Additional licenses: Our prices are based on the amount of units copied, downloaded or manufactured. If a compilation CD is purchased, an additional license must be obtained for each track used that exceeds 5000 units.
SongFreedom
(www.songfreedom.com)
This website is a unique new concept meant specifically for wedding and personal event videographers. It has a collection of just over a dozen popular songs (no royalty-free content!), and the library is constantly growing as they gain clearance song-by-song. It has a subscription-based model with credits, so once you subscribe, you can use each song in their library a certain amount of time per year, per song.
This company just launched in June 2010 so it is still very new. We’re still pretty impressed with the song line-up, such as “Hey Soul Sister”, a current top 100 Hit. But we are less impressed with all the legal requirements in the fine print of being a customer. Such as the assertion that they own all the video content that their licensed audio is used with.