Best free music services for streaming

In recent years, there has been many instances of DMCA strikes and issues with using certain music whilst live-streaming. To keep your channel and content safe whilst streaming, there is the option to use royalty free and DMCA free music! The two are largely similar, but has some important differences to note.

Royalty free music for live streaming is music that you can use in content without paying royalties to the artists or right holders every time it is played. Not to be confused with copyright free music for live streaming, which is where the sound holds no copyright.

Royalty free music means that the user pays a one-time fee to use the music, without having to pay ongoing royalties or licensing fees for each use or over time. This is usually a one time payment or similar, and will come with specific licensing terms for use.

DMCA free music for livestreaming is music that is safe to use in your content without risking strikes against the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

DMCA free music means that you are able to use it safely on stream, but there will be usage rights.

The key differences between the two:

• Royalty free - cost-effective but paid.
• DMCA free - free and specifically pushed towards content creation and livestreaming.
• Royalty free - Broad usage, but check the licensing.
• DMCA free - assurances against DMCA takedowns, but some usage restrictions.

Royalty free music can also be DMCA free but to ensure that you are following the correct rulings when it comes to free music for streaming on Twitch and other platforms, always check the licensing. Always. If found to not be complying with the licensing rules of music whilst livestreaming or creating content, you can far consequences that vary by platform.

The most obvious reasons for using royalty free music or DMCA free music is to eliminate the risk to your content.

• No copyright claims or strikes
• Preventing content removal
• Keeping your revenue
• Monetization protection
• Legally protected
• Respect to artists
• Free from use restrictions by country or platform
• Risk free

Using music, which is someone's creative art, in a way the adheres to their licensing and rulings that have been put in place, shows that you understand and appreciate their creation. You are creating content, they have created content. Having a reputation that follows form this mutual respect can only be positive. 

Each platform has their own similar consequences for not following licensing terms, so protect yourself and your stream.

Twitch
DMCA takedowns can lead to bans, these bans can vary in length but can also be permanent. Loss of revenue, video muting and removal of content can also be considered.

YouTube
Limiting monetization and streaming capabilities. Three strikes in 90 days, and you're out.

TikTok
Immediate content takedown or muted videos that can lead to restrictions and bans. The TikTok team work FAST on monitoring this.

Kick
Stream restrictions, interruptions and takedowns with revenue loses, as well as forced ads within your content and loss of monetization. Repeated offences can lead to bans.

Instagram
Account restrictions, muted audio and content takedowns that can lead to bans.

Facebook
Multiple strikes can lead to bans, as well as muted and removed content.

To read the full policy rulings of each channel, click their headers. It is better to be safe, than sorry.

All of the above can heavily impact your streaming channel and content videos, as well as provide a negative experience for your viewers and subscribers.

Twitch
The Twitch Soundtrack library is specially made for Twitch streamers to use with their content.

YouTube Audio Library
A huge selection of music and sound effects created for YouTube, however can be used on other platforms such as Twitch.

Streamlabs Music
Streamlabs Music is part of StreamLabs Desktop, and powered by Songtradr who license music for streamers and content creators across Twitch and YouTube.

Epidemic Sound
A popular site among streamers that has options for royalty-free music and sound effects with subscription plans. .

Streambeats
Free, DMCA safe library with low price subscription, made for streamers.

Pretzel Rocks
Twitch and YouTube safe music with subscription options to suit your level of streaming.

NoBan
Free and copyright free playlists created for streamers.

Monstercat Gold
Subscription service for YouTube, Twitch and Twitter - with Twitch integration.

No Copyright Sounds (NCS)
Copyright free music for creators, free to use.

Voicy
World's largest sound clip platform with over 500k clips and a meme soundboard. Integrated with Loupedeck and Powerchat. 100% copyright-safe and royalty free with Voicy Premium option.

So now we have options, how do you pick the right one for your content and your stream?

• Compatibility - check the platform and what you want to use it for! See if it works for you first
• Selection - is the music selection something you and your community will like? Does it match your vibe?
• Copyright v.s Royalty Free v.s DMCA free. Check each one for what they offer.
• Revenue - check that your revenue is protected and that the licensing terms match what you expect to be able to continue to make from your content when using the music.
• Cost - is this something you can invest in?
• Legal - are you covered? Do you know the legal parts of the service you are using?

If you are looking for DMCA free, completely safe to use Sound Effects for your stream - GETREKT Elements is all original scored music. You can see all of our sound effect packs here.

Twitch
Twitch Soundtrack:

• Install Twitch Soundtrack.
• Add Soundtrack as a source in OBS or Streamlabs.

Other sources outside of Twitch Soundtrack:

• Download from your chosen platform.
• Play music through your computer and set up the audio capture in OBS or Streamlabs.

OBS Studio
Adding as a Media Source in OBS - this also works for Streamlabs OBS (SLOBS):

• Open OBS Studio.
• Click the "+" button in the "Sources" section
• Select "Media Source" and name it.
• Browse and select your music file.
• Configure settings and click "OK".

Using Local Music Players e.g. Spotify:

• In OBS, add a new "Audio Output Capture" source and select the one Spotify is playing from.

StreamElements
Adding as a Music Widget:

• Go to the "Overlays" section of the StreamElements dashboard.
• Create or edit an overlay and add the "Music Player" widget.
• Configure the widget with your playlist or music source.
  

Living and creating in the content world has many hurdles to jump through, but keeping your content safe and revenue generating is something that is at the forefront of every streamer's mind. You want to follow the correct rulings to keep your VODs, clips and shorts, as well as your full length videos and streams, up and live for your viewers!

There are many options for free music for streaming on Twitch, free DMCA music and copyright free music for streaming in general - it depends on what music you are looking for, if you are wanting to pay a subscription, and what channels you will want to use it for.

The most important thing to note, is to make sure you follow the licensing. Check, and then check again. Protect yourself and protect your content!

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Peace and love,
Em

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