Custom Music for Adverts - The two ways to buy it online explained.

Our company (Music-for-Adverts) specialises in the composition and production of original, custom music (sound-beds) for adverts and other projects. Over the last fifteen years, the trend within advertising agencies has been to move away from jingles, choosing instead sound-beds as a more effective way of conveying the personality of a brand.





We have published this guide to provide an overview of the options available to anyone wishing to buy sound-beds for an ad, advertising campaign or other project.





(Of course, we'd love you to use Music-for-Adverts for your next ad or project but even if you don't, we're happy to paint a clearer picture of the industry, so that you can make the decisions that are right for you!)








The two options for purchasing music for adverts.





(i) Stock Music


- The internet plays host to many companies that have huge libraries of music available for download. Their libraries are organised into categories and you sift through the different pieces to find one that fits your criteria. You will then purchase a license to use that music and download it. Benefits: It can be the cheapest, fastest way and most of it is good quality. Drawbacks: The music is available to anyone, so you can bet your right hand that other people have found that "perfect piece" just as you have. There will be no contact with the creative team and no input from them towards your ad-you're on your own. The prices of stock music range from as little as $20 up to $3,000 and beyond, depending on the company, quality and-crucially-the type of license (Royalty-Free or Rights Managed).





(ii) Studio Music


- A real person (or several) will compose and record music for you based upon a brief (outline of project and requirements for the music) that you provide. Benefits: Generally the music will be entirely new and, assuming that communication has been thorough and you are working with a good company, the sound-bed will fit your advert or project perfectly. These are the same studios that multinational advertising agencies use so they are accustomed to giving creative input to the projects (e.g. what music and arrangements might complement your specific campaign). A studio will work with you; if you want your music to sound "kinda like Coldplay" or you want a "jazzy saxophone with a classical cello" then you will get it. Changes to the sound bed can be made, and shorter or longer versions with natural endings (not just fade outs as with most stock pieces) can also be created. You'll be involved throughout the production process, and will have opportunities to provide input. Drawbacks: Prices can be far higher than stock music. Your sound-bed will not reach you instantly, as it would with library music. Studio music will take a few days to be produced and be aware that times vary from studio to studio.








This article was written on behalf of Stars & Catz School of Music, by Robin Dewar. For everything related to music lessons visit us now.