Production Glossary
Stock Music
Stock Music, also known as production music or a library music, is a term describing a catalog of original instrumental music, that is non-exclusively licensed for use as background in any number of media productions. A good stock music provider will be able to grant you both the license to the copyrighted piece of music as well as the master recording. The music can be used for tv programming, radio programming, tv spots, radio spots, commercials, tv promos, network promos, iPhone apps and other types of mobile apps, video production, on-hold production, kiosk productions, film, corporate video, training videos, flash presentations, games, web production, infomercials, wedding and event production, legacy productions and much more.Many stock music companies have been around for quite a number of years, while it seems new ones pop up every day. Perhaps one of the most common misconceptions is that a Stock Music company can provide a license for any popular/recognized artist track. This is not true. Stock Music companies license original musical content of varied styles and genres for the express purpose of enhancing a production for a specific purpose. This single factor is one of the critical issues that separates stock music professionals from the boys. Many of the new online Music Library companies use consumer-level utilities such as GarageBand or Acid to create simple ‘build your own’ music tracks. While this can get a track completed, it pales in comparison to the power of real composers and award winning music producers who have a complete understanding of how quality production music needs to behave.
Quality stock music is composed with the understanding that the music is there to support the production, not be the center of attention. Stock music with lead and solo instrumentation should have the mix levels of those instruments reduced slightly to leave room for voice over and other audio elements. Experienced stock music composers know how to create music that is full and engaging without stealing the show. Another approach to this is the concept of ‘underscores’. The Royalty Free Music Library category All Purpose Beds is just that! Masterfully composed and produced royalty free music tracks that won’t fight your production, but will carry it along and help drive home your message.
