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3 June 2025

PODCAST MICROPHONE

WHAT RIGHTS DO I NEED TO CLEAR FOR MY PODCAST AS A BRAND?

MUSIC, OLD /
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    Whether you’re making business or entertainment content, the right music can enhance your podcast immeasurably. But just as in TV, film, games and advertising, music must be licensed for podcasts to avoid takedown requests.   

    In this blog we run through everything you need to know about sync rights for podcasts, audio vs. video music rights and show you how to futureproof your podcast with the right music partner.  

    What Are the Rules on Podcast Music Licensing?

    If you use any music in any part of any podcast episode, you need the right clearances from the correct copyright owner/owners. It doesn’t matter how much music you use or what type of music it is, and failure to do so can result in takedown requests.  

    There are several rights you will need to consider: 

    • Synchronisation rights
    • Master rights
    • Publishing rights
    • Mechanical rights
    • Performance rights

    Synchronisation Rights

    Synchronisation rights allow music to be used ‘in sync’ with moving images. This applies to music used in any form of content including films, TV, advertising, games and podcasts. To obtain this, you need get approval from the copyright owners to use both the Master and Publishing: 

    Master Rights

    The specific recorded version of a song or piece of music that are usually held by a record label or the recording artist directly. 

    Publishing Rights

    The written musical composition of a song or piece of music and are generally held by a publisher or the song writer directly. 

    Mechanical Rights

    These grant permission to reproduce and distribute copyrighted musical works for sale. This includes physical formats such as vinyl or CD, or digital reproductions, such as downloads or streaming. 

    Performance Rights

    This refers to the right to perform music in public, including at concerts, festivals or public venues. 

    Read more about all of these in our guide to music licensing and our music licensing glossary. 

    What Rights Do I Need To Use Music in an Audio-Only Podcast?

    If you’re hoping to use music in your audio-only podcast, it is important to think about your intended usage and the clearances/rights required.

    For example, you’ll need to obtain synchronisation rights to include music in the podcast from the record label and publisher. If you intend to feature the music in a public performance of your podcast, you’ll also need to obtain performance rights. 

    What Rights Do I Need To Upload My Podcast to YouTube?

    If you want to add your podcast to YouTube or another video sharing platform, it is important to share this information with copyright owners when you are obtaining a sync licence. Often different platforms require different clearance rights and additional fees may be involved. Failure to obtain these and you risk falling foul of YouTube’s robust copyright claims system. 

    YouTube employ a system that allows copyright owners to identify videos that include content that belongs to them. This is to make sure that all rights are cleared correctly. If you don’t have the correct licence, you will be issued a notice, and you can expect your content to be taken down. Sounds like a minefield, right? Well, you can circumnavigate the whole headache by using production music instead! 

    How Can Audio Network Help?

    At Audio Network we boast a world-class catalogue of music that has been made specifically for use in productions. We own both the master and publishing rights, so can offer users a simple way to secure music for their podcasts. This means we can clear our music to suit your needs, however small or large they are. So less worrying about podcast rights, copyright claims or takedowns, and more time to focus your energies on selecting the right track to tell your story.  

    With over 280,000 tracks on offer, covering every genre, style and mood imaginable – and with stems available on selected tracks –  we offer a world of choice. Plus we make it easy for you to discover the right piece of music with our super-fast AI-powered search tools and hand-curated collections and playlists, including regularly updated playlists of background music, new releases and music for podcasts. 

    Need more hands-on help? Our team of music experts are always on hand to help. Simply get in touch with your query, and we’ll do the rest. 

    How Do I Futureproof My Podcast?

    When it comes to music copyright for brands, it’s vital that you think beyond the initial launch of your podcast and into the long-term. For example, you may be starting out creating audio-only podcasts, but you might well wish to expand into video content in the future. With this in mind, it’s crucial that you secure the right licence.  

    As discussed previously, one of the easiest ways to do this is to use production music made for brands. That way, not only can you take advantage of Audio Networks host of quality musical options, but you can do so with the confidence that our streamlined music clearance process grants. So, whether you’re using music for an intro theme or background tracks to add colour to your episode, you can rely on Audio Network to supply world-class music with the correct sync rights for podcasts. 

    More Expert Advice

    Now you know all about what rights you need to clear for your podcast as a brand, why not check out more of our blogs, from what is sonic branding and why licensing music for social media is a smarter choice than using free libraries to how to license a song for video and how to find music for YouTube videos,  TikTok or Instagram.  

    Need Music for Your Project?

    At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!

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    PRO SOUND EFFECTS

    INTRODUCING PRO SOUND EFFECTS X AUDIO NETWORK

    NEWS, OLD /
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      From lifelike sound effects to atmospheric background music, selecting the right soundtrack is crucial when it comes to enhancing storytelling, and building connections to your project or brand. That’s why we’re delighted to announce the next phase of our partnership with Pro Sound Effects, the industry’s finest Sound Effects library.

      For the very first time, Audio Network subscribers can license world-class music and award-winning sound effects on the same platform. Powered by Pro Sound Effects and seamlessly integrated into Audio Network.com, together we’re offering a library of more than 200,000 effects spanning 550+ categories, created by award-winning sound artists and licensed for unlimited commercial use. From foley sounds to ambient whooshes, you can expect to find complete coverage for TV, film, advertising, digital, social or corporate content.

      In this blog we look at harnessing the power of sound effects to connect with audiences.

      Why Do Sound Effects Matter?

      Just as music is essential for creating mood, sound effects are an indispensable tool for any editor. From the roar of car engines to the clink of china, sound effects root visuals in a world that’s instantly familiar and relatable, helping immerse audiences in the action. Even the subtlest of sounds can create an emotional connection, often forging subconscious associations that serve to assist viewers in suspending their disbelief.

      Sound effects provide editors with a useful shorthand for conjuring a mood or emotion. For example, the crackle of a fire can make audiences feel warm and cosy, while the slow creak of a door can evoke a sense of creeping unease. Equally, Sound Effects are a great tool for supporting storytelling by implying action that takes place off screen. Just think of the sound of footsteps approaching or the click of the barrel of a gun.

      Editors can immerse audiences within a scene by considering sound localisation, i.e. the listener’s ability to identify the location or origin of a detected sound in direction and distance. And Sound Effects are unbeatable when it comes to increasing the impact of big moments, be that by employing the sound of a heart pounding or by supersizing an explosion.

      Which Creative Mediums Require Sound Effects?

      It’s easy to associate sound effects with long-form mediums like film, TV, games or podcasting, but they’re just as crucial to short-form mediums – perhaps even more so.

      Whether you’re working in advertising or social media, short-form content offers a much smaller window in which to forge an audience connection, so it’s vitally important to consider the role of sound design in your project.

      Executed well, these connections can last a lifetime – just think how many of the commercials and cartoons of your childhood you can still remember because of strong sonic branding.

      What Are the Different Types of Sound Effects?

      Boasting the world’s largest library of professionally recorded sounds, Pro Sound Effects offer an exhaustive range of Sounds, created by Oscar®-winning artists like Mark Mangini (Dune, Mad Max: Fury Road) and Richard King (Dune: Part Two, Oppenheimer).

      An indispensable resource for sound designers and innovators, these are some of the most popular sound effects:

      Cinematic and Genre-Based Sound Effects

      • Movie sound effects - Sounds from Hollywood blockbusters and Oscar-winning films.

      • Trailer sound effects - High-energy impacts, whooshes, rumbles and transitions for film and games.

      • Scary sound effects - Doorknob rattles, floorboard creaks and wind sounds, ideal for horror content.

      • Sci-fi sound effects - A range of futuristic and retro futuristic elements from spaceships to lasers.

      • Cartoon sound effects - Boing, splat, pop, squeak! Exaggerated sounds ideal for comedy cartoon capers.

      Environmental and Atmospheric Sound Effects

      • Background sounds - From outdoors to interiors, underground to underwater.

      • Weather sound effects - Wind, rain, thunder and more.

      • Fire sound effects - From the cosy crackle of a campfire to the fiery rumble of a blast furnace.

      • Static sound effects - White, pink or brown noise.

      Foley and Everyday Sound Effects

      • Foley sound effects - Created by a real person mimicking everyday sound sources, foley sound effects can be categorised into three types: feet (e.g. footsteps), moves (e.g. the swish of clothing) and specifics (e.g. a door closing)

      • Door sound effects - Slams, scrapes, creaks, knocks, rattles and shakes from a plethora of sources.

      • User interface sound effects - Retro, modern, and sci-fi user interface sound effects covering alerts, beeps, clicks, glitches, swipes, scroll loops and more.

      Mechanical and Transportation Sound Effects

      • Vehicle sound effects - Cars, trucks, buses and motorcycle sounds, suitable for chase sequences or leisurely travel scenes.

      • Train sound effects - From a 1907 steam train to modern electric commuter trains.

      Combat and Action Sound Effects

      • War sound effects - The ambient hum of war, from marching to machine gun fire and explosions.

      • Gun sound effects - Antique, modern, and sci-fi gun sound effects including cocking and loading, handling movements and more.

      • Explosion sound effects - Build your own with individual elements (wood snap, glass debris, low frequency boom) or use pre-made effects that already contain multiple sound layers.

      • Siren and alarm sound effects - Buzzers, beeps, bells, drones, klaxons, air raid sirens and more.

      Crowd and Animal Sound Effects

      • Crowd sound effects - Ranging from reactions (celebratory, angry, applauding) to settings (bar fights, sporting events, parties).

      • Animal sound effects - Wild and domesticated animal sounds, from exhales and purrs to roars and barks.

      Your Complete Audio Toolkit

      With a complete arsenal of Sound Effects at your disposal as well as world-class music, Audio Network is now your one-stop shop for exceptional sound.

      To find out more about Sound Effects from Audio Network, get in touch with your Account Manager.

      Need Music for Your Project?

      At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!

      SIGN UP

      INTRODUCING PRO SOUND EFFECTS X AUDIO NETWORK Read More »