The Complete Guide to Background Music for Podcast

Whenever we listen to a podcast, the audio is the most important thing. Now, you might think that it's only one thing, but background music for podcast is equally important. The music is important for setting the mood and connecting emotionally. The good thing is that background music will keep the audience engaged, as your podcast won't feel flat. It can support your message and add depth to your story. With this article, we are sharing how you can create the background music for a podcast and how to use it properly.

Part 1: Why Using Background Music for Podcast Matters

1. Enhances storytelling and atmosphere

Music can affect your emotions. For example, it can make you emotional, excited, calm, or more. If your podcast is about sharing information, teaching lessons, or telling stories, the background music will improve the mood.

2. Helps mask minor audio imperfections

No podcast recording is perfect, and minor issues such as faint background noise, breaths, or room echoes can still occur. Using music for podcast intro free can help soften these small imperfections, making the overall audio feel cleaner and more polished.

3. Improves transitions between segments

Podcasts often shift from one topic to another. Music cues help guide listeners through these changes. A short music clip can signal the start of a new section, a break, or a closing message.

4. Creates a consistent brand identity

Just like TV shows use theme songs, podcasts can use signature music to build a recognizable brand. When listeners hear the same opening or closing music each time, it creates familiarity and trust.

5. Boosts listener engagement and completion rate

Research shows that the human brain responds strongly to sound patterns. Music helps keep listeners focused for longer periods, which means they are more likely to finish an episode.

6. Research insights on audio psychology

Studies in audio psychology show that music affects mood, attention, and memory. When used correctly, it helps listeners stay interested, understand information better, and connect emotionally with the message.

Part 2: How to Choose the Right Background Music for Podcast

Step 1: Match the Mood to Your Podcast Theme

Your music should reflect your podcast's tone. A mystery podcast might use darker, slower music. A comedy podcast might use cheerful or quirky podcast BGM. An educational podcast may use calm, steady music.

Step 2: Prioritize Music That Doesn't Distract

Music should support your voice, not compete with it. Tracks with too many instruments, loud drums, or strong melodies can make it harder for listeners to focus on what you are saying.

Step 3: Choose Loopable Tracks

Loopable tracks repeat smoothly without sounding like they start and stop suddenly. This is helpful during long sections where you need consistent background sound.

Step 4: Consider Tempo and Energy Level

The tempo should match the pace of your speaking. Faster music may fit energetic episodes, while slower music works better for serious or thoughtful discussions.

Step 5: Ensure Legal Use (Licensing)

Never use random songs from YouTube, Spotify, or famous artists as podcast BG music. You must have the correct license. Some sites offer royalty-free music, while others require paid licenses. Always read the rules before downloading.

Step 6: Test the Mix With Your Voice Track

Before finalizing your episode, test how the music sounds with your voice. Make sure your speech is clear, and the music volume is low enough not to overpower your message.

Part 3: Where to Get Background Music for Podcast

Before choosing a music platform, it helps to understand the difference between royalty-free and licensed music.

Royalty-free music

You pay once (or subscribe), and you can use the music without paying again each time your podcast gains new listeners. This is the most common choice for podcasters.

Licensed music

This requires purchasing special rights, and sometimes you must pay extra depending on how the music is used. Most beginning podcasters avoid this option because it can be expensive.

Types of Background Music Sources

1. Royalty-free music platforms

• AudioJungle: AudioJungle offers thousands of royalty-free tracks in every genre, making it easy to find music that fits any podcast style. Each song is purchased individually, giving podcasters flexibility without a long-term subscription.
• Pond5: Pond5 provides cinematic music and professional sound effects that work well for narrative and interview-based podcasts. Its powerful search filters help creators quickly find tracks by mood, tempo, or theme.
• PremiumBeat: PremiumBeat's curated library ensures every track meets strong production standards for clean, polished podcast audio. Many songs include loopable versions and multiple edits that you can use as podcast music background. This makes them perfect for intros, transitions, and background beds.

2. Subscription libraries for podcasters

• Epidemic Sound: Epidemic Sound offers unlimited downloads of high-quality tracks and sound effects, making it a top choice for podcasters who publish often. It's a simple subscription license that covers all platforms, so you never worry about copyright issues.
• Artlist: Artlist provides a wide range of cinematic and emotional tracks that work well for storytelling or mood-driven podcasts. Its universal license allows you to use the music anywhere, even if your subscription ends.
• Soundstripe: Soundstripe delivers a steady library of clean, loopable tracks that are perfect for intros, transitions, and background beds. A single subscription gives podcasters unlimited access plus sound effects for richer audio production.

3. Public domain & Creative Commons (safe use guidelines)

• Free Music Archive (FMA): Free Music Archive offers a large collection of Creative Commons music from independent artists across many genres. Podcasters can find free tracks that they can use for background music for a podcast, but must check each song's license to make sure it allows commercial use.
• ccMixter: ccMixter features community-made remixes and instrumental tracks that are often great for podcast backgrounds. Many songs are free under Creative Commons, but creators should review attribution and usage requirements before publishing.

4. Additional platforms

• YouTube Audio Library: YouTube Audio Library provides free, easy-to-download music and sound effects that are beginner-friendly for new podcasters. Many tracks allow commercial use, but creators must check the license notes for required credit.
• Splice: Splice primarily offers a royalty-free sample library with loops, one-shots, stems, and sound effects. It is widely used in music production but also works for podcasters needing sound design, intros, transitions, and podcast themes.
• Incompetech: Incompetech, created by composer Kevin MacLeod, features hundreds of accessible tracks in many moods and styles. Most songs use Creative Commons licenses, which are free to use if you follow the attribution rules.

Part 4: FAQs About Background Music for Podcast

1. Should I play background music during the entire episode?

Not always. Some podcasts keep music only in the intro, outro, and transitions. Others use soft music under the main talking sections. It depends on your style.

2. What volume should background music be?

A good rule is to keep it low enough that you can clearly hear every word. Many editors keep background music at about –20 to –30 decibels under the voice.

3. Can I use popular songs in my podcast?

No, not without permission. Using copyrighted songs can cause legal issues. Always use music that you have the rights to, such as royalty-free or Creative Commons tracks.

4. How many music tracks should I use in one episode?

Most podcasts use 1–3 tracks: one for the intro, one for transitions, and a soft loop for background sections.

5. What file format should I download for podcast music?

WAV files offer higher quality, but MP3 files are smaller and still sound good for most podcasts.

Conclusion

Using the right background music for podcast episodes can completely transform the listener experience. Music helps create atmosphere, supports storytelling, and makes your brand feel more professional and memorable. By choosing music that fits your theme, keeping the volume low, and understanding licensing rules, you can produce polished episodes that connect with your audience. There are many great places to find music, from royalty-free platforms to subscription libraries and Creative Commons sites. With the tips in this guide, you can make smarter choices and build a podcast that sounds clear, engaging, and enjoyable from start to finish. So, start your podcast journey and be consistent!