In this post we will briefly cover 7 occasions you will need a music sync license. This isn’t an exhaustive list by any means, but the 7 listed are possibly the most common projects where music licensing is either essential or comes in handy, and they are in no particular order.
Any time you want to use existing music in a project you will need to purchase the appropriate music license, so let’s look at our 7 different scenarios.
#1 – Movies and Trailers
Although many big budget movies have composers to create the music score and sound effects, these film companies will also purchase existing music to use in films and trailers. Then there are the multitude of smaller budget films, indie films and short films created for film festivals and the like. Many of these smaller films will take advantage of sync licensing to attain the required music for their film’s soundtrack.
The movie industry is quite possibly the biggest market when it comes to licensing existing music for projects.
#2 – Games and Trailers
The video game industry utilises sound and music probably just as much as the movie industry does. Just about every game also comes with a game trailer, where specialised music is used that isn’t found in the actual game itself.
Once again game producers will generally have composers to create an original score, but many games also license existing music; especially those created on a smaller scale and budget.
#3 – YouTube Videos
Regardless of what type of YouTube video you upload or its purpose, if you want to feature music in the video for which you don’t hold the copyright or didn’t create yourself, then you will need to pay for the appropriate sync license.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s YouTube, Vimeo or even your own website, if that music is on public display, it needs a license.
#4 – Advertising
There are so many opportunities for artists to have their music placed with advertising companies and corporations. Advertising is a huge medium that takes many forms. It can be online or offline, on TV or radio.
Many campaigns require music, and many advertisers look to sync licensing to solve their music needs. Advertising offers an prime opportunity to place shorter pieces of music, as many commercials only run for 30 seconds.
#5 – Corporate Videos
These can include presentations, promotions, information, tutorials and many other things. Every video is made that much more engaging with the inclusion of appropriate music. The sync licensing market for corporate videos is huge and it’s the perfect solution for businesses to be able to source music for their videos without it blowing out the budget.
#6 – Apps
While not every app contains music and sound effects, there are apps that do, and apps that really need music and sound to complete them. While app makers probably don’t make up a huge portion of the music license buying public, this figure is bound to increase as more and more apps are created daily.
If you are creating an app and need music for it, search music licensing websites and you are sure to find just what you need.
#7 – TV Shows
Another huge market where sync licensing music plays a major role. The TV market also offers opportunities for artists to collect royalties through their PRO as well, as every time a TV show airs with an artist’s song played it in, royalties will be due.
There are so many different types on TV show on air at any given time the world over that it would be impossible to count them all. It’s the perfect platform for sync licensing, making the shows all the more memorable and engaging.
License Music On Songtradr
If you are after some music for your project and want to source it from existing catalogues made available for music licensing, then check out the artists and tracks available on licensing giant – Songtradr. They have one of the very best sync licensing platforms there is, with an easy to use interface and a very accurate search function.
Go and check them out by clicking on their logo below.
