Epidemic Sound For Client Weddings: Can You?

Epidemic Sound is a music licensing platform that offers a wide range of songs and sound effects cleared for use on various platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The platform is popular among wedding videographers due to its large catalog of royalty-free wedding songs and the ability to curate playlists based on genres, moods, and themes. However, there is some ambiguity regarding the use of Epidemic Sound for client weddings, especially when it comes to commercial use and Instagram Reels. While some sources suggest that a higher-tier subscription or an additional plan may be required for commercial use, others recommend contacting Epidemic Sound directly to clarify the terms of use based on the specific situation.

Epidemic Sound's YouTube Creator's subscription

Epidemic Sound offers a wide range of music and sound effects that can be used for various purposes, including client weddings. The platform provides different subscription plans to cater to diverse needs, and one of the options available is the YouTube Creators subscription. This subscription is specifically designed for creators who want to use Epidemic Sound's music in their YouTube content.

The Epidemic Sound YouTube Creators subscription is a popular choice for many YouTubers, including well-known names like Peter McKinnon. It offers several benefits that make it a convenient and attractive option for creators. Firstly, Epidemic Sound owns all the economic rights to their music, which means creators don't have to worry about copyright issues or paying royalties. This is especially important on YouTube, as the platform's Content ID system actively flags and penalizes videos that use music without proper permission. With an Epidemic Sound subscription, creators can rest assured that their content won't be muted, removed, or monetized due to copyright violations.

The subscription provides unlimited access to Epidemic Sound's extensive catalog of tracks and sound effects. Creators can use these in their YouTube videos without any restrictions on the number of tracks used. This freedom allows for greater creativity and the ability to find the perfect soundtrack for each video. Additionally, Epidemic Sound offers exclusive soundtracking tools and the ability to get track suggestions based on specific frames within the content, ensuring a seamless and professional final product.

The Epidemic Sound YouTube Creators subscription also offers flexibility in terms of usage. Creators can publish their soundtracked content anywhere online, including not just YouTube but also websites, games, apps, podcasts, and more. The subscription covers both complete tracks and separate stems (bass, instrumental, vocals), allowing creators to customize the music to fit their content perfectly. However, it's important to note that the music is intended for use as background music, and there are restrictions on using it in digital advertising, marketing, or promotion for brands or companies.

While Epidemic Sound does not provide its music or sound effects for free, they do offer a 30-day free trial for the YouTube Creators subscription, giving creators the opportunity to try out the service before committing to a paid plan. The subscription is a cost-effective solution for creators looking to enhance their YouTube content with high-quality, royalty-free music while avoiding the complexities of copyright and licensing issues.

Cost-effective music for weddings

Music is one of the most important elements of a wedding, setting the mood and creating a memorable experience for the couple and their guests. While live music is a wonderful option, it can be expensive, so many couples opt for recorded music or DJ services. Here are some tips for cost-effective wedding music:

Live Music

Live music can be tailored to the couple's preferences, but it is typically more expensive than recorded music or DJ services. To save costs, consider hiring a solo musician such as a guitarist, pianist, or violinist. Soloists charge less than duos or trios, and their fees can vary depending on their level of expertise and the duration of their performance. For example, a solo guitarist may charge between $100 and $425 for a 2-hour performance, while a violinist could cost between $300 and $770. Duos, such as a vocalist and guitarist or a string duo, typically range from $800 to $1,250. Trios and quartets, such as string ensembles, average around $1,000.

When hiring live musicians, keep in mind that you may need to pay additional fees for travel, lodging, meals, and rehearsal time. However, many musicians offer discounted prices for performances on days other than Saturdays.

Recorded Music or DJ Services

If you're looking for a more affordable option, consider using recorded music or hiring a DJ. Recorded music can be played through a simple sound system or by a specialist, such as a DJ or AV technician. This option allows you to choose from a wide range of music, including your favourite songs or specific genres.

Hiring a DJ can be a great choice if you want a diverse selection of music and someone to keep the party going. The average cost of a wedding DJ is around $1,700, but prices can vary depending on factors such as the duration of their performance, the number of DJs, and the amount of equipment required.

Online Music Platforms

Another cost-effective option is to use online music platforms that offer royalty-free music or licensed music. These platforms often provide a wide range of music, from independent artists to famous songs, at a lower cost than hiring live musicians or a DJ. Some popular platforms include Epidemic Sound, Envato Elements, Audiojungle, and Artlist, each with its own subscription or licensing model.

In conclusion, there are several cost-effective options for wedding music. Whether you choose live music, recorded music, DJ services, or online music platforms, you can create a memorable and personalised experience for your special day without breaking the bank.

Using Epidemic Sound for Instagram Reels

Epidemic Sound is a useful tool for wedding videographers to find new songs and craft compelling videos for their clients. The platform offers a vast music library with over 30,000 professionally produced tracks and 90,000 sound effects, all cleared for use on social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok. This means you can publish your Instagram Reels without worrying about copyright strikes or other claims.

However, it is important to note that Epidemic Sound's licensing has some grey areas. While you can use the music on Instagram, it may not be for profit. An extra plan or a higher subscription tier might be required for commercial use.

To ensure you are taking the right legal measures, it is recommended to reach out to Epidemic Sound directly and present them with the details of your project, including the size of your business and your intended use case. They will then advise you on the appropriate license and pricing. Getting this information in writing will help protect you and your client.

Additionally, there are alternative platforms you can explore for music licensing, such as Artlist, TuneReel, and SoundStripe. These platforms offer annual or monthly subscriptions with access to music that can be used commercially.

Epidemic Sound's 30-day free trial

Epidemic Sound offers a 30-day free trial to its vast library of royalty-free music. This is perfect for content creators who are looking for an extensive collection of music spanning various genres. Whether you are creating a travel vlog, a cooking tutorial, or a business presentation, Epidemic Sound has the right track for you.

One of the standout features of Epidemic Sound is its intuitive search and discovery functionality. Its user-friendly interface, advanced search, and recommendation features ensure that you can quickly find the music you need and spend more time on your creative process.

During the 30-day free trial, you can explore Epidemic Sound's diverse range of genres and experiment with different styles to find the perfect match for your content. For instance, you can find an energetic beat for a workout video or a calming melody for a meditation session.

Additionally, Epidemic Sound's royalty-free music eliminates copyright concerns and licensing headaches. You can use their music without worrying about legal complications, which gives you the freedom to focus on your content creation.

The 30-day free trial also allows you to collaborate with Epidemic Sound's community of talented musicians and content creators. This not only expands your network but also opens up opportunities for unique and exclusive soundtracks tailored to your projects.

So, if you're looking for cost-effective music for your client's wedding videos, Epidemic Sound's 30-day free trial might be the perfect solution. You can try it out and see if it meets your creative needs and licensing requirements.

Clearing copyright and music licenses

Epidemic Sound is a platform that offers royalty-free music, specially created for YouTube and social media. It offers a monthly subscription starting at $15 per month, which allows users to access the entire music portfolio. This subscription is ideal for those who want to use Epidemic Sound's music for their client's weddings, as it provides a cost-effective way to access a wide range of music without worrying about copyright claims.

Now, let's discuss the process of clearing copyright and music licenses in more detail:

Understanding Copyright and Music Licenses:

Copyright gives you full ownership of a song, along with all the subsequent benefits derived from it. On the other hand, a music license allows you to use the song in specific projects, such as YouTube videos, commercials, movies, etc. When it comes to weddings, you need to understand the difference between using music for the wedding ceremony and using it for a wedding video.

Using Music for the Wedding Ceremony:

For the wedding ceremony and subsequent celebrations, couples often prefer to play famous songs that hold special meaning for them. It's important to note that commercial music, the songs we hear on the radio or television, is typically subject to copyright laws. However, there are royalty-free music options available as well.

In the United States, Performance Rights Organizations (PROs) like BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC manage the collection of royalties for copyright-protected artists. These organizations collect fees when registered works are played and distribute them to the creators. It's important to note that private events like weddings are usually exempt from licensing requirements, and you don't need to pay a fee directly to these PROs.

Using Music for Wedding Videos:

Using music in wedding videos can be a bit more complicated due to the potential for online distribution. If you use famous background music in a wedding video that is uploaded to YouTube or other social media platforms, you may encounter issues:

• The record label may claim a significant amount of money for using the song without a proper license.
• Social media platforms may mute or block the video if they detect copyrighted music.

To avoid these problems, it's recommended to use royalty-free music, which can be purchased through online marketplaces like Envato Elements or Audiojungle. Royalty-free music is still protected by copyright, but the creator provides licenses to use the music however you want, reducing the risk of copyright claims or issues when uploading videos to social media.

Obtaining Music Licenses for Famous Songs:

If you want to use a famous song in your wedding video, you will likely need to obtain both a synchronization license and a master license:

• Synchronization License: This license allows you to synchronize the song with your visual image. It is typically obtained from the copyright owner or music publisher and is necessary for any type of content where music and moving images are used simultaneously.
• Master License: This license authorizes you to use a specific recording of the song in your audiovisual projects. It is usually obtained from the record label that owns the particular recording you want to use.

In addition to these licenses, if you plan to stream or broadcast your wedding video through your own website or mobile app, you may also need a public performance license from a Performance Rights Organization (PRO) like ASCAP.

Alternative Solutions:

Obtaining licenses for famous songs can be expensive and time-consuming. Some alternative solutions include:

• Using platforms that license famous music, such as SoundFreedom.
• Using royalty-free music platforms like Epidemic Sound, Envato Elements, or Audiojungle.

Frequently asked questions