Updated October 2026 · Podcast sound and editing
A podcast intro needs music you have the right to use. Check the licence before you publish, and prefer music you made, music you commissioned, or a library whose licence covers podcasts.
A short intro feels harmless, which is why so many shows get it wrong. Music is protected by copyright, and a recording that plays a commercial track to an audience is a public use. A takedown or a claim can remove an episode, and sometimes the whole feed. Getting the rights right takes a few minutes and saves a lot of trouble later.
Many people believe a few seconds are fine, or that a credit makes it legal. Neither is a safe assumption. Playing a track to yourself is different from publishing it to an audience, and a credit does not replace permission. If you do not own the rights, you need a licence that says you may use the track in this way.
A track described as “free” can still carry terms. Some require a credit, some limit commercial use, and some restrict how the music can be edited or used in an advert. Save a copy of the licence and the download receipt with the episode files, so you can show them if a question comes up.
Whatever the source, keep the intro brief so listeners reach the content. If the music plays under your opening words, lower it so the voice stays clear. The ducking guide shows how to lower music automatically under speech.
Respond with your licence or proof of ownership. If you cannot resolve it quickly, remove the track and replace it, and keep the original episode files as they were. This is general guidance, not legal advice. For anything with money, contracts or a dispute, speak to a professional who knows your country’s rules.
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Not without permission from the rights holders. Use music you have a licence for.
Only if the licence covers podcasts and your use. Read the terms, since royalty-free can still have limits.
Often yes, and some licences require it. Check the terms for each track.
The same rules apply. Check the licence for each sound, including short ones.
