Production (or Library) music is music created specifically for use in media projects such as TV shows, films, podcasts, and online videos. Unlike commercial songs you hear on the radio, production music is made to be easily licensed, ensuring a simple, cost-effective way to add professional, high-quality tracks to your work.
A music license is written permission allowing you to use someone else's music in your project. Since music is protected by copyright, you legally need a license to sync (or pair) music to any moving images, reproduce it on physical or digital media, or publicly perform it - whether that's on TV, radio, streaming platforms, or live venues.
Music isn't just a string on sounds; it's an artistic work covered by copyright. Any time you use music in a public or commercial setting, you need to get permission from the owners (composers, publishers, or labels). Without proper licensing, you risk legal issues and potential fines. Plus, by licensing music properly, you're also supporting the creators who made it!
A sync license gives you the right to pair (or “sync”) our music with visuals—such as a film, advertisement, YouTube video, or Instagram reel. Any time you’re placing music against moving images, a sync license is required. Think of it as the “green light” that lets you fuse music with picture. This is the most common type of license for production music.
A mechanical license covers the right to reproduce and distribute a musical composition. If you’re making physical copies (like CDs or vinyl) or digital downloads/streams of a track, you typically need a mechanical license. It’s called “mechanical” because it originally applied to old-school reproductions on piano rolls—now it covers everything from CDs to MP3s.
Performance rights handle how music is used in any public setting—like a TV broadcast, radio, live show, or even online streaming. In many countries, performance royalties are collected by Performing Rights Organizations (PROs)—for example, PRS in the UK, or ASCAP/BMI in the US. If you’re airing music on television or playing it in a public venue, these organizations ensure the songwriters and publishers get paid for their work.
Master Rights cover the actual sound recording of a track. This of this as the "master tape" or digital master file. Publishing Rights concern the underlying musical composition or song - the melody, lyrics, and structure. To license music, you typically need permission for both the master (from whoever owns the recording) and the publishing (from the composer or their publisher). With production music, you usually get both rights in one go, making it easier to use the music legally.
Costs vary depending on several factors, like how the music will be used (TV ad vs. YouTube video), the size of the audience, and the duration of the music clip. Check out the MCPS rate card or use their usage calculator, or simply contact our licensing team for a personalized quote. (We’ll work with you to find a solution that fits both your budget and creative vision!)
Browse our library which has 1000s of tracks spanning all genres. Once you have found the perfect track to polish to your project, you can instantly acquire a license to use it. The process is simple and straightforward!
1. Find the Perfect Track: Start by exploring our music library. Narrow down your search by genre, mood, or instrumentation until you find a piece that firs your project's vibe. 2. Determine Your Usage Details: Will the project be online, broadcast on TV, shown at a film festival, or something else? 3. Get a Quote/License: Once you know the scope of your usage (where, how long etc.), we will provide you with a quote or direct you to a rate card -- often based on media type, territory, and duration. 4. Sign & Pay: After confirming the details, we'll issue a simple license agreement. You complete payment, and we grant you the rights to use the music as specified. 5. Use the Track: Download the files, integrate them into your production, and you're all set -- legally and creatively!Yes! Our music is available for licensing worldwide. We have global agreements in place to ensure that you can use our tracks no matter where your project is being distributed or broadcasted. Whether you're in the UK, US, Europe, or beyond, we've got you covered!
Yes, we offer blanket subscriptions for clients who need to license multiple tracks over a period of time. With a blanket subscription, you can access our entire library and use as many tracks as you need within the terms of the agreement. This option is perfect for production companies, agencies, or anyone who frequently uses music in their projects. Get in touch to find out how we can help. We guarantee that we can offer a fair and flexible plan that suits your needs.