How to Start a Podcast Using Royalty-Free Music

Create a professional-sounding show without copyright worries

Podcasting isn’t just about great content — it’s about how it sounds. The right music can instantly set the tone for your show, reinforce your brand, and hook listeners in the first 10 seconds. But there’s a catch: you can’t just grab any track from YouTube or Spotify and drop it into your podcast. Doing so without proper rights could result in your episodes being taken down or worse — legal trouble.

That’s where royalty-free music comes in. If you want a podcast that sounds polished and stays on the right side of copyright law, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know — from what royalty-free really means to where to find tracks, how to edit them into your show, and how to credit artists correctly.

Step 1: Understand What Royalty-Free Music Really Means

The term royalty-free can be confusing. It doesn’t mean the music is completely free, nor does it mean you can use it however you want. Here's what it actually means:

• Royalty-free means you don’t have to pay recurring fees each time your podcast is streamed or downloaded.
• You typically pay once (or access the music via a free or subscription-based license), and then you can use it within the scope of the license terms — often for an unlimited number of episodes.
• Some royalty-free music is completely free to use, while others require a one-time fee or a monthly subscription.

The most important thing? Always read the license. Some royalty-free tracks require attribution, while others may restrict commercial use.

Learn more about music licensing: Understanding Music Licensing for Creators – RocketPages Blog

Step 2: Choose a Trusted Royalty-Free Music Source

Here are trusted, podcast-friendly platforms you can explore:

Pixabay Music

• Best for: Completely free tracks for commercial and non-commercial use.
• Why use it: Pixabay’s music library is user-friendly, with filters by genre, mood, and duration. All tracks are free under the Pixabay license — no attribution required.

Free Music Archive (FMA)

• Best for: Independent, creative tracks under Creative Commons.
• Why use it: FMA includes a wide range of music, including lesser-known genres. Always check the individual track license before using.

Bensound

• Best for: Clean, high-quality tracks with simple licenses.
• Why use it: You can use Bensound’s free music with attribution, or purchase a license for broader use.

Artlist and Epidemic Sound

• Best for: Subscription-based access to professional-grade music.
• Why use it: Unlimited downloads, commercial rights, and no attribution required for subscribers.

Free Music Tools

• Best for: Curated tools for podcasters and creators.
• Why use it: RocketPages collects the best creator-safe resources to simplify your workflow.

Step 3: Match Music to Your Podcast’s Tone

Music sets the emotional tone. Think about how you want listeners to feel when they hear your intro. Here’s how to choose the right vibe:

• News/Talk: Subtle, neutral instrumentals. Try soft electronic, acoustic, or ambient music.
• Comedy: Upbeat, quirky, and lighthearted — funk, pop, or retro tones.
• True Crime/Drama: Dark, atmospheric textures with slow tempos and suspenseful progressions.
• Lifestyle & Wellness: Lo-fi, acoustic, or gentle piano-based tracks that feel warm and personal.

Pro Tip: Always do a dry mix test — drop a loop of your chosen track under your intro voice and see if it supports (not distracts from) the speech.

Step 4: Integrate Music Seamlessly Into Your Podcast

A great track can be ruined by poor placement. Here’s how to weave music into your episodes like a pro:

1. Use it for intros and outros: Keep it to 10–30 seconds and fade in/out.
2. Duck background music under dialogue: Lower the music volume when you speak, so your voice is always dominant.
3. Use the same theme music consistently: Build familiarity and brand identity.
4. Avoid loud, complex tracks while talking: Simpler is better for voiceovers.

Need help editing? Beginner’s Guide to Editing Audio – RocketPages

Free tools to consider:

• Audacity (Windows/Mac/Linux)
• GarageBand (Mac/iOS)

Step 5: Credit the Music (If Required)

Even royalty-free or free-to-use music may require attribution depending on the license (e.g., Creative Commons Attribution).

A typical credit might look like this:

"Intro music: ‘Evening Drive’ by Alex Smith – Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Source: Free Music Archive."

Where to place credit:

• Episode show notes
• Your podcast’s website
• Verbal credit in your outro (optional)

Learn how to read music licenses correctly: Understanding Music Licensing – RocketPages

Step 6: Build Recognition Through Repetition

Your theme music is your audio signature. Just like a show's opening credits or a YouTuber’s intro jingle, your podcast’s intro/outro theme helps build:

• Recognition – Listeners know it’s your show within seconds.
• Continuity – Keeps the experience consistent across episodes.
• Branding – Helps associate your show with a mood or emotion.

Don’t switch tracks every few episodes — stick with your chosen theme for at least one season.

Pro Tip: Save a branded audio template that includes your intro, voiceover bed, and outro. This speeds up production.

Final Thoughts

Using music in your podcast elevates production quality, builds a memorable brand, and keeps listeners engaged. But skipping the licensing steps can result in takedowns, penalties, or blocked monetization.

Here’s your quick checklist:

• Understand royalty-free vs copyright-free
• Use trusted libraries (Pixabay, Bensound, FMA, Artlist, RocketPages tools)
• Match music to your genre and tone
• Edit it in professionally with fades and ducking
• Credit the artist if the license requires
• Stay consistent across episodes

Ready to explore? RocketPages Music & Audio Tools