Audio beyond speech.
WHAT MUSIC DOES
Sets tone, controls pace, and covers weak moments.
WHAT IT CANNOT DO
Rescue a piece with nothing to say.
WHAT LICENSING REQUIRES
Permission to use the music commercially.
WHY THIS MATTERS ABSOLUTELY
Using commercial music without a licence causes takedowns, claims and legal exposure.
WHAT OPTIONS EXIST
Royalty-free libraries, on subscription Individual licence purchase Music released under permissive terms, checked carefully Commissioned original music
WHAT TO VERIFY FOR ANY TRACK
What use is permitted Whether attribution is required Whether the licence covers advertising Whether it covers the platforms you will publish on
WHAT TO RETAIN
Proof of licence, permanently.
WHY
Claims arrive years later.
WHAT LEVELS TO SET
Music well below speech, so words remain clear.
WHAT DUCKING IS
Music lowering automatically when speech occurs.
WHAT SOUND EFFECTS ADD
Realism, and emphasis.
WHAT ROOM TONE DOES
Fills silence, so cuts do not produce dead gaps.
WHY SILENCE IS NOTICEABLE
Absolute silence sounds like a fault.
WHAT TO CHECK
The mix, on phone speakers and on headphones.
