Royalty Free Music FAQs
Please Note: You must give credit if you wish to use any free music tracks.
How do I give credit if I use this music in my project?
For most applications, please use this format:
Music: Title by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Just replace 'Title' with the title of the track you're using, simples! Please don't remove the URL. The URL should also be a hyperlink, not just plain text wherever this is permitted please. For YouTube, Vimeo and similar, I prefer the credit and link is included in the description where possible.
As long as clear credit it given, you're covered to use these songs for free under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
If you're wanting to use a track in a format that can't display a web-based credit (e.g. TV, Games & Radio), you can include the credit in any way that can be clearly found by the viewer. If this can't be done, you'll need to purchase a non-attribution license. I charge $20 per song per project for these, and you can find a link to purchase one on the song's page below the description. Click here to read the terms of the agreement.
So, this is completely free right?
Yup, totally free. However, you MUST give me credit (before you download and use anything, please make sure you're familiar with how to do that. Look at the first FAQ to see how to do that.).
If you found this resource useful, a small donation is really appreciated though! You can really help me out by either:
Making a donation with your credit card, debit card, or PayPal account:
Or,
Buying one of my tracks on iTunes:
Or,
If you're feeling a little more flush, and you want cool perks, you could set up a monthly recurring donation on Patreon:
What am I allowed to use this music for?
Whatever you want! Seriously there are no restrictions as long as I'm credited as the composer, and you link back to this website. You can use the music for commercial applications, for educational purposes, for editorial use, filmmaking, video games, YouTube, etc. etc...
You can't pass it off as your own of course, that would make me a sad panda. You also can't sub-license it, which means you can't host the music yourself and offer it for download as stock music, even with credit. This is because by hosting it on my website, I can control the quality, and ensure that all traffic comes to this website. I can then place advertisements on the page to cover the cost of hosting, which I would otherwise be missing out on.
But as long as you adhere to the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, you can use the music in any which way you want, free of charge forever, and without any royalties.
Best of luck with your projects! =)
Do I need permission from you first?
No, go right ahead, download the track, and get cracking. However, I'd love to hear how you've used my music, so please feel free to send me links to your projects when they're up. Hit me up on Twitter @SilvermanSound. Or send me an email here.
Can I download all of the mp3 files at once?
This is a common request, and I've finally set this up! I decided to do this via Patreon, so for the very minimal outlay of $1 a month you can get a link to a zip file with all the mp3s gently nestled within. Become a patron here. There are other benefits to becoming a patron, so do please check it out, as it's a real help to me! =)
How can I help you out?
Firstly, thanks very much! You can really help by donating a dollar (or multiples thereof):
You can also become a patron, and donate monthly in return for exclusive perks!
Other than donating, you can really help by sharing a link to my free music page on your preferred social media website, you are helping out way more than you can imagine. These days social media buzz is probably the best marketing tool that exists, so anything you do to spread the word, and drive traffic to my site is amazing!
Even better, if you run a blog, write a piece including a link to my free music page. This will really help driving traffic to my website.
Also, by letting anyone you know who is involved in any aspect of the media industry that I actually exist, and have all sorts of music, and sonic services available is also incredibly helpful. Know an indie game developer, or filmmaker? Tell them about Silverman Sound Studios. Word of mouth for the win! I'm very easy to work with, I promise! Or, if you know any musicians or bands that need their music mixing or mastering, please send them my way! I run a super affordable online mixing and mastering service too.
This website costs money, I have food to buy, and bills & rent to pay. Any and all donations, referrals, shares, and likes enable me to spend more time working on music, and especially expanding this collection of free music. =)
Can you make me some original music for my project?
Yes of course! please visit my composition page for more details and prices.
Can I alter these tracks in any way?
Yeah, go nuts. Sing over them, chop them up, add crazy effects, whatever. However, you HAVE TO identify what is my work, and what is your work in the credits. Cutting and splicing is fine though, just use the standard credit.
I wanted a song in a certain style, but you didn't have it, will you make it for me?
No guarantees of course, but by all means send me over any ideas you might have for certain styles. It's always very helpful to get inspiration from the people who use my music. I've got a long list of styles of songs I want to make, and if you've got a suggestion, I'll add it to the list!
May I have an ISRC please?
Of course you may! You'll find an ISRC listed on each track's page. Or if you prefer, here's my master list of creative commons tracks, which will satisfy all of your ISRC desires.
How's best to keep up to date with new tracks, and other goings on?
Glad you asked. On the home page, there's a form to subscribe to my newsletter, where you can learn about bits and pieces I've been up to. I'd love to have you along for the musical ride.
I also have a variety of social media gubbins that I post to. Mainly track updates, but useful if you like that kind of thing. Links to those can be found at the bottom of each page.
For more in depth things, I occasionally deign to post something to my blog. There are some bits and bobs there so check it out if you have time.
I've received a "matched third party content" notification on my video, help!?
Yes, unfortunately, this can happen, please use the dispute function and select: “I have a license or written permission from the proper rights holder to use this material”. After this, in the explanation section, state that you're using the music under a Creative Commons license, and include a link to the download page for proof. This should resolve your problem in a day or two.
Can I have the song in an uncompressed format?
I've made uncompressed files (16bit WAVs) available for the low low price of $5 per track. You'll find links below the song's description. WAVs are big ole files, so I have to charge a bit to cover the cost of hosting them.
Some songs have extra goodies included when you buy the uncompressed file, such as alternative versions, and individual stems (instruments on their own track) so that you can make your own mixes.
How do you make your music?
After many years amassing equipment, instruments, and sample libraries, plus even more years of composing, and mixing music, I can't fully describe the exact process, but I'll give you an overview. I use Logic running on an iMac to create all of my tracks, and have a huge pile of tools to produce a nice sounding piece of musical goodness.
I generally compose all of my music on the piano or in my head, and sometimes guitar. Then I orchestrate the melodies and harmonies using sample libraries, and instruments to give a full sound. When that’s done, I mix everything, using Beyerdynamic DT880 headphones, an Avantone Mixcube, and then check levels, phase issues, and mix compatibility on some wonderful Yamaha monitors. Finally, I master the song, and do some final tweaks before it’s ready to be uploaded to the website.
For recording, I have a Gibson SG electric guitar, Fender and Rickenbacker basses, various amps, a bunch of microphones, a Microkorg synthesizer, a Korg stage piano, and loads of other smaller instruments, including acoustic guitars, melodicas, penny whistles etc... This all runs through a Focusrite preamp and audio interface for lovely clean signals, and which can often be found hooked up to my mini recording booth.
Why are you giving them away for free?
Because I love making music, and I love people hearing my music! I've also benefited a lot from other people's hard work that they've freely shared. The least I can do is share some of my own work too. I know how difficult it is when you're starting out creating content, so giving away free resources is essential to getting fresh talent the tools they need to get out there.
Also, who doesn't love a freebie? Giving away my music for free will mean my music reaches a bigger audience (a bit egotistical, yes I know...) But the more people listen and share, the more I'm inspired to keep creating. This way gives me the motivation to write at least two new songs per week. The knock on effect of this is (hopefully) I'll continue to improve my composition, mixing, and production skills.
