Practical guides for podcasters, YouTubers and streamers.
Notes On Intros, Sound And Licensing.
Background Music for Podcasts: When It Helps and When It Hurts
When background music helps a podcast and when it hurts, how loud it should be, how to choose a music bed and what to check in the licence.
Podcast Audio Branding: The Sound Kit Every Show Needs
Podcast branding has a sound side. The six pieces of a podcast sound kit, why one composer should write them, and how agencies roll it out across many shows.
Custom Podcast Theme Music: Cost, Process and Timeline
What custom podcast music costs, how the process works from brief to delivery, how long it takes, and when a ready-made or exclusive track is the better choice.
Podcast Jingles, Stings and Transitions Explained
What podcast jingles, stings, transitions, ad bumpers and sonic logos are, how long each should be, and how to use them in your edit without overdoing it.
Podcast Intro Script Templates Timed to Your Music
Seven podcast intro script templates, each timed to the music, plus how many words fit a 10, 15 or 30 second intro and how to land your show name on the beat.
Do Copyright Disclaimers Work on YouTube? What Actually Stops a Music Claim
A copyright disclaimer won't stop a YouTube music claim. Here's how Content ID works, what really protects you, and how to dispute a claim step by step.
How to Check if Music Is Copyrighted Before You Upload
Five ways to check if music is copyrighted before you upload to YouTube or a podcast app, what the results mean and what to do if a check finds a claim.
Licensing Music for Client Podcasts: An Agency Checklist
A ten-point checklist for agencies licensing music for client podcasts: who holds the licence, client work, monetised use, expiry, exclusivity and paperwork.
How to Make a Podcast Intro (Audacity, GarageBand, Descript, Riverside)
How to make a podcast intro step by step: plan it, pick music, record your voice, then mix it in Audacity, GarageBand, Descript or Riverside.
How Much Does Podcast Music Licensing Cost? Free, Subscription or Buy Once
Free, subscription or buy once: what a podcast music licence really costs over time, why fair use won't cover your intro, and what to check before you pay.
Free Podcast Intro Music: Where It Comes From and the Catch
Where free music for podcast intros comes from, what Creative Commons licences mean, the hidden costs of free tracks and how to use them safely.
Podcast Outro Music: How to End Your Show Well
How to use podcast outro music well: whether it should match your intro, how long to make it, what to say over it and how to mix it.
What Is Royalty Free Intro Music (And Why It Matters for Your Show)
Royalty free doesn't mean free, and it doesn't always mean safe. Here's what podcasters and YouTubers need to know before choosing intro music.
How Long Should Podcast Intro Music Be?
Most podcasters go too long. Here's how to choose the right intro music length for your format, and why 15 to 30 seconds is the answer for most shows.
Royalty Free Podcast Intro Music: How to Find a Track You Can Keep
What royalty free podcast intro music really means, the five licence checks to make before you buy, and where to find an intro you can keep for good.
Copyright Free Twitch Music: What Streamers Actually Need to Know
Twitch mutes VODs, not live streams. Here's what copyright free actually means for streamers and how to choose music that won't get your content flagged.
YouTube Intro Music: How to Find Royalty Free Tracks That Actually Sound Good
Most royalty free YouTube intro music sounds generic. Here's what to look for, how to avoid Content ID issues, and where to find tracks worth using.
Podcast Intro Music: 10 Seconds, 15 Seconds or 30 Seconds: Which Length Works Best?
The length of your podcast intro music matters more than most creators think. Here's what actually works at 10, 15, and 30 seconds, and how to choose.
Podcast Intro Examples: What the Best Shows Get Right
What makes a great podcast intro? Here's what the best shows do, and what to look for when choosing music and format for your own.
The Best Podcast Intro Music for Every Show Type
The right podcast intro music depends on your format. Here's what works for interview, true crime, educational, comedy, and narrative shows, and why.
True Crime Podcast Intro Music: Setting the Right Tone
True crime listeners notice production quality. Here's what makes intro music work for the genre, and what most new shows get wrong.