Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Adding music to your podcast can take your production quality to the next level, but not all music is safe to use. Let's take a look at my two favorite sources for royalty free music: Artlist.io and Epidemic Sound. I use both services, and while they each allow for podcast use, there are some key differences.
Before committing to any music licensing service, be sure that you've read their licensing terms and that you understand what applies to the type of subscription you're using (for example, Artlist has several different subscriptions with slightly different limitations). These licenses change pretty frequently, so if you have any questions don't hesitate to contact the support team for a specific service to get a definitive answer.
-------------------------------------------
•Artlist.io (2 Extra Months Free): bit.ly/enthusiasmartlist
Benefits of Artlist:
•Overall the most flexible licensing with the most options. Just be sure to know which terms apply to the specific subscription you're considering
•New music added constantly and it's incredibly easy to save/follow artists you like
Cons of Artlist:
•Moving more towards generative AI assets rather than just music
•Music library can be somewhat limited in styles/genres
-------------------------------------------
•Epidemic Sound (30 Day Free Trial): share.epidemicsound.com/enthusiasm
Benefits of Epidemic:
•Massive library of music and sound effects. Seriously, it's ridiculously huge.
•Wide variety of genres and styles (they even have a Ska section!)
•Ability to download stems (individual instrument tracks) for each song
Cons of Epidemic:
•While licensing does allow for podcasts, it is tied directly to you and your accounts. You may need a more expensive plan if you're creating client work for others.
•This service is very popular, meaning you might start to hear your songs in other places. There's nothing wrong with that, but you might not want your show's "signature" theme to also be someone else's.
-------------------------------------------
Even if you choose a different service for your show, now you'll know what to look for to make sure your music choice doesn't give you any copyright claim headaches. If you have the skills and/or connections you can always create original music for your show too!
ACTION ITEMS-
•How will you incorporate music into your show? Will it be at the beginning and end, or woven throughout the episode?
•Which royalty free music service has styles you like, fits within your budget, and allows for podcast use?
———————————————————————
Affiliate links earn a commission from qualifying purchases which helps support my channel at no additional cost to you.
—————————— SUPPORT THE CHANNEL ——————————
Become a Channel Member: geni.us/joinchannel
——————————— CONNECT ———————————
🎯 Subscribe! bit.ly/TEPsub
Instagram: @sodarntom
Main Site: himynameistom.com
Podcasts: himynameistom.com/podcasts
——————————— VIDEO GEAR ———————————
•Sony FX3 (Main Camera): bhpho.to/3EJuBde (B&H)
•Sony a7SIII: bhpho.to/3f8mMlS (B&H)
•Sony a7IV: bhpho.to/33mOGZo (B&H)
•Sony 24 1.4 (Main Lens): geni.us/sony24 (Amazon)
•Sony 50 1.8 Lens: geni.us/sonynifty50
•Tamron 20-40 2.8: geni.us/Rp3NeMc
•Zeiss 85 1.8: geni.us/zeissbatis (Amazon)
•YoloBox for Recording & Mobile Streams: geni.us/Gh3d1n (Amazon)
•Elgato Prompter: geni.us/elgatoprompter (Amazon)
•Rodecaster Video: bhpho.to/3Ub88j2 (B&H)
——————————— AUDIO GEAR ———————————
•Rodecaster Pro II: bhpho.to/3wCwaqI (B&H)
•Sennheiser MKH 50: geni.us/mkh50 (Amazon)
•Shure SM7B: geni.us/tepsm7b (Amazon)
•Tall Mic Arm: geni.us/A39EvH (Amazon)
•Short Mic Arm: geni.us/zc7hAbW (Amazon)
•Rode Headphones: bhpho.to/3JNacqg (B&H)
•Blue XLR Cable: geni.us/bluexlr (Amazon)
———————————————————————
🎥 Check out my full gear list here:himynameistom.com/gear
———————————————————————
– Who Am I? –
Hi! My name is Tom Buck, a lifelong A/V nerd and former high school Digital Media teacher. I started this channel in 2017 as a project to share my enthusiasm for everything related to audio and video production.
All videos on the channel are created by me without the use of artificially generated assets for editing or production. The only AI here is my Average Intelligence.
You can take a look at my bio to learn more about my background, both personally and professionally: himynameistom.com/about
My channel and courses are open and welcoming to people of all races, ages, genders, and orientations. I’m glad you’re here.
Adding music to your podcast can take your production quality to the next level, but not all music is safe to use. Let's take a look at my two favorite sources for royalty free music: Artlist.io and Epidemic Sound. I use both services, and while they each allow for podcast use, there are some key differences.
Before committing to any music licensing service, be sure that you've read their licensing terms and that you understand what applies to the type of subscription you're using (for example, Artlist has several different subscriptions with slightly different limitations). These licenses change pretty frequently, so if you have any questions don't hesitate to contact the support team for a specific service to get a definitive answer.
-------------------------------------------
•Artlist.io (2 Extra Months Free): bit.ly/enthusiasmartlist
Benefits of Artlist:
•Overall the most flexible licensing with the most options. Just be sure to know which terms apply to the specific subscription you're considering
•New music added constantly and it's incredibly easy to save/follow artists you like
Cons of Artlist:
•Moving more towards generative AI assets rather than just music
•Music library can be somewhat limited in styles/genres
-------------------------------------------
•Epidemic Sound (30 Day Free Trial): share.epidemicsound.com/enthusiasm
Benefits of Epidemic:
•Massive library of music and sound effects. Seriously, it's ridiculously huge.
•Wide variety of genres and styles (they even have a Ska section!)
•Ability to download stems (individual instrument tracks) for each song
Cons of Epidemic:
•While licensing does allow for podcasts, it is tied directly to you and your accounts. You may need a more expensive plan if you're creating client work for others.
•This service is very popular, meaning you might start to hear your songs in other places. There's nothing wrong with that, but you might not want your show's "signature" theme to also be someone else's.
-------------------------------------------
Even if you choose a different service for your show, now you'll know what to look for to make sure your music choice doesn't give you any copyright claim headaches. If you have the skills and/or connections you can always create original music for your show too!
ACTION ITEMS-
•How will you incorporate music into your show? Will it be at the beginning and end, or woven throughout the episode?
•Which royalty free music service has styles you like, fits within your budget, and allows for podcast use?
———————————————————————
Affiliate links earn a commission from qualifying purchases which helps support my channel at no additional cost to you.
—————————— SUPPORT THE CHANNEL ——————————
Become a Channel Member: geni.us/joinchannel
——————————— CONNECT ———————————
🎯 Subscribe! bit.ly/TEPsub
Instagram: @sodarntom
Main Site: himynameistom.com
Podcasts: himynameistom.com/podcasts
——————————— VIDEO GEAR ———————————
•Sony FX3 (Main Camera): bhpho.to/3EJuBde (B&H)
•Sony a7SIII: bhpho.to/3f8mMlS (B&H)
•Sony a7IV: bhpho.to/33mOGZo (B&H)
•Sony 24 1.4 (Main Lens): geni.us/sony24 (Amazon)
•Sony 50 1.8 Lens: geni.us/sonynifty50
•Tamron 20-40 2.8: geni.us/Rp3NeMc
•Zeiss 85 1.8: geni.us/zeissbatis (Amazon)
•YoloBox for Recording & Mobile Streams: geni.us/Gh3d1n (Amazon)
•Elgato Prompter: geni.us/elgatoprompter (Amazon)
•Rodecaster Video: bhpho.to/3Ub88j2 (B&H)
——————————— AUDIO GEAR ———————————
•Rodecaster Pro II: bhpho.to/3wCwaqI (B&H)
•Sennheiser MKH 50: geni.us/mkh50 (Amazon)
•Shure SM7B: geni.us/tepsm7b (Amazon)
•Tall Mic Arm: geni.us/A39EvH (Amazon)
•Short Mic Arm: geni.us/zc7hAbW (Amazon)
•Rode Headphones: bhpho.to/3JNacqg (B&H)
•Blue XLR Cable: geni.us/bluexlr (Amazon)
———————————————————————
🎥 Check out my full gear list here:himynameistom.com/gear
———————————————————————
– Who Am I? –
Hi! My name is Tom Buck, a lifelong A/V nerd and former high school Digital Media teacher. I started this channel in 2017 as a project to share my enthusiasm for everything related to audio and video production.
All videos on the channel are created by me without the use of artificially generated assets for editing or production. The only AI here is my Average Intelligence.
You can take a look at my bio to learn more about my background, both personally and professionally: himynameistom.com/about
My channel and courses are open and welcoming to people of all races, ages, genders, and orientations. I’m glad you’re here.
