When you need music for a video, multimedia project or business presentation, royalty free music may be the best way to go. Using royalty free music involves paying a one-time fee for a set of CDs or access to a music library. You are then free to use the royalty free music in your projects without having to make any additional royalty payments; hence the term “royalty free”.

There are many online databases of royalty free music available. This makes it easy to find music that fits the type of project you’re working on. Whether you want an amusing tune for your latest YouTube video or are looking for something sophisticated to round out a PowerPoint presentation for a business conference, royalty free music can deliver just what you need.

The right music mood for your project

Using royalty free music in your projects makes them more interesting and creates a sense of fullness. When people watch a video, view a collection of slides or see a TV commercial, they don’t expect to hear only silence in the background. Without music, these and other multimedia presentations seem lacking. But if you take the time to find a royalty free music piece that sets the right mood, your projects will have a much bigger impact on your target audience.

Though most royalty free music can be used again and again after paying the initial fee, it’s important to check for any special terms of use. For some projects such as TV broadcasts or radio programs, there may be extra licensing fees in order to legally use royalty free music. You may also have to obtain a special license if you’re going to use royalty free music as part of a large run of CDs or DVDs.

Make sure to familiarize yourself with these and any other specific licensing terms before using any royalty free music. Even if something is labeled as being royalty free music, you want to be sure you’re following the proper terms of use. Once you pay the initial fee, most royalty free music can be included in projects and re-posted or rebroadcast without restriction. But if you’re not sure if your project qualifies, check and double check the licensing terms on the royalty free music you want to use.