Music and sound

Music and sound give a show its identity: an intro theme, short stings between segments, a bed under narration and sound effects for audio fiction. The tools here are either libraries of tracks licensed for creators or AI generators that make new tracks from a mood, length and instrument choice.

Licensing is the part to get right. Using a popular song in your podcast without a license can get an episode removed or put a claim on your video. Subscription libraries license their tracks for use in podcasts and online video while you subscribe, and each one has rules about what stays covered after you cancel and what uses, such as ads or broadcast, need a higher plan.

AI music generators make new tracks rather than drawing from a library, which can give you a theme nobody else uses. Read their terms on who owns the output and what you may do with it, because these differ between services and plans. If a podcast distributor or video platform has rules about AI-generated audio, check those as well.

Practical choices matter more than the tool. Keep music under speech at a low level so words stay clear, use the same theme across episodes so listeners recognize the show, and keep a record of which track you used and under which license, in case anyone asks later.

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6 AI podcast tools in music and sound

Mubert

Generates background music from a text prompt or mood for videos, podcasts and streams.

  • Free plan or free tier
  • Developer API

Epidemic Sound

Subscription music and sound effects library licensed for podcasts and online video, with AI tools to adapt tracks.

  • Mobile app

Artlist

Music, sound effects and footage library under one license, used by video makers and podcasters.

Soundraw

AI music generator that makes royalty-free tracks you can shape by mood, length and instruments.

AIVA

AI composer that writes instrumental music in many styles, with editing tools for the result.

Beatoven.ai

Makes royalty-free background music for videos and podcasts from a mood and length you choose.

Sound effects follow the same rules as music. A free effect downloaded from a random site may carry a license that excludes commercial use, so prefer effects from a library whose terms you have read. If you commission an original theme from a composer, get a short written agreement covering where it can be used and for how long. For an audio drama or a narrative show, plan the sound in a cue sheet so the editor knows which track goes where and which license covers it.

Finally, check how a track sounds on small speakers. Many people listen on phones and earbuds, where low bass disappears and busy arrangements compete with voices. A simple, steady bed usually works better under speech than a dense track.

When comparing, look at how you search and preview tracks, whether you can change a track's length to fit a segment, which file formats you get, and whether the license covers every place you publish, including clips on social media.

Questions about music and sound

Can I use any song in my podcast if I credit the artist?

No. Credit is not a license. Use music you have permission for, such as tracks from a library licensed for podcasts, or music you commissioned or generated under clear terms.

What happens to my episodes if I cancel a music subscription?

It depends on the service. Some cover content published while you subscribed, others do not. Read the license before you build a show around one library.

Who owns AI-generated music?

The terms differ between services and plans. Check what the tool says about ownership and commercial use before using a track as your show theme.

How loud should background music be?

Low enough that every word stays clear. Many editors lower the music sharply whenever someone speaks, a technique called ducking.

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