Music for Video
Video production can cover anything from film to advertising, TV shows to YouTube videos. Whatever you’re creating, the right music will ensure that your content stands out in an increasingly crowded market.
Here’s our guide to all the ins and outs of choosing, using and licensing the best music for video editing.
Get started: the best background music tracks for video
‘Slow Landing’ by Dan Skinner & Adam Skinner
‘Apprehension’ by Richard Lacy
‘Market Chase’ by Jordan Gagne
How to choose the best background music for your video
- First, what purpose is the music serving in your video? Is it subtle background music, or is it driving the content?
- Ie, do you need music with an ambient feel, or a track that’s more dynamic? Bear in mind that if the music is designed to be in the background, but your viewer notices it too much, it could distract from your content
- An alternative editing technique is to music to ‘top and tail’ the video. By featuring the music more at the start and finish, it can provide a more polished finish. You can also foreground the music at particular points, if you need to divide the video into segments, change the pace or increase the emotion
- What’s your budget? If you’re going to be using a lot of background music in your videos, it’s worth looking into a subscription to a music library, rather than paying for individual tracks
Stock music for video
If you’re nervous of falling foul of YouTube’s Content ID system, which can see your video blocked or taken down if you’ve used a copyright-protected track without permission, then you can search YouTube’s Music Policies section, where you’ll find a list of popular tracks, and details on whether or not you can use them.
How to license music for video
You can find plenty of stock music for video online, but a dedicated music library gives you far greater options when it comes to unique tracks, edits and quality. Libraries have a variety of licensing agreements and price points available, depending on what projects you’re using the music for.
Audio Network’s search tools enable you to filter based on musical style, mood or emotion, instrumentation, genres such as action, comedy, horror and documentary and even by bpm. We hand-pick playlists every month to help you to find the background music you need, from our catalogue over 175,000 tracks. Here’s a selection of our most popular categories:
Music for video production
Find the perfect background music for videos with our category playlists. Showcase tutorials, lookbooks or hauls with our Fashion and Beauty selections. We’ve got an expert menu of bright, fun tracks for recipes and demonstrations in our Food category.
Up the ante on Gaming videos with everything from the epic to the eerie. Parenting vloggers can take their pick of our cheerful songs, while Travel experts can go globetrotting without setting foot outside. Choose from swinging Parisian jazz or get your Om on with a spiritual sitar sound.
Upbeat background music for video
Take it easy with our curated playlist of chilled-out tracks, featuring plenty of dreamy, ambient, laid-back lo-fi.
Corporate background music
Whether it’s for explainer videos, brand presentations, or a soundtrack to your conference sizzle reel, we have a mass of pumping, powerful, uplifting tracks to motivate, inspire and engage your viewers.
Orchestral Background Music
Audio Network’s Classical Collection has been arranged, recorded and edited specifically for media use.
Each collection of tracks includes a huge variety of edits and cut-downs. We’ve looked at the classical favourites through an editor’s eye, to make it easier than ever to incorporate fantastic instrumental background music for video.
American background music
The US is home to a huge range of music styles, from the Blues to Nashville-based, pedal steel-infused Country Rock. Go back to the dawn of rock and roll to sample some Rockabilly, or jump on your Harley and embrace your inner rebel with our Rock list.
Hip hop background music
The Beats Series is your go-to source for the ultimate collection of hip hop – from the East Coast to the West Coast, trap to UK grime.
Divided into six different playlists, the series expertly covers production types such as ‘Sports’ and ‘Party’, together with staples from sub-genres including UK hip hop and grime, trap and classic sounds.
Indie background music
From indie rock to indie reggae, fresh cuts to old favourites, catchy hooks, guitars and vocals all feature on this eclectic playlist.
If you need seasonal background music, we have dedicated playlists, plus gorgeous romantic tracks for Valentine’s Day.
Summer background music
Looking for a track to create that Route 66 road trip vibe? Or the ideal backdrop to a poolside scene? Or maybe to give the stifling feel of summer in the city or the dry heat of the desert. Check out our hand-picked playlist of sun-drenched sounds.
Christmas background music
Bring festive cheer to your videos with our Christmas collections. Innocent nostalgia, heartwarming big band, stunning orchestral arrangements of traditional classics, rock & roll to RnB, traditional and contemporary. Our Christmas catalogue has a full spectrum of sounds and songs for the holiday period.
Free music for video
Test out tracks to start using high-quality music for your video – start your free 14-day trial of our Essential Edit now.
