No video is complete without background music. Great sound and SFX can make or break your production, which is why it’s so important to get it right. If you are looking for a royalty-free platform that provides a one-stop solution for audio, look no further. Art List.
Film directors agree that it’s pointless to have a good picture but poor sound. At the same time, good sound can save a lot of bad photos. Therefore, having a good selection of music from various genres as well as SFX for almost any situation is important. Having them at your finger tips for a reasonable price is even better. Art List allows you to have exactly that. Let’s find out and see why audio is important and how you can improve your videos with Artlist.
Music for stage and screen is a genre. No matter what movie you’re watching, there’s music in it, and music is tied to something. If it’s a leitmotif, it’s a specific tone attached to a character. To take things further, there are entire songs dedicated to the characters. Just think of Darth Vader’s theme or Klingon’s theme from Star Trek. Let’s move on before Star Wars and Star Trek fans divide me for using these titles in the same sentence. 
Sourcing music for movies is often a challenge. SFX must be recorded, and tracks must be kept short. The main productions have rose music for specific scenes. Composers like Hans Zimmer or John Williams worked hard to write the right pieces. Naturally, big productions have big budgets. One of the reasons independent films were difficult to produce before was because the music was only available on commission. However, you could theoretically license a track that would involve a tedious contracting process and would likely require a significant financial investment. Naturally, the idea behind standalone and low-budget products is to keep costs to a minimum. I will safely assume that very few readers have the budget to hire composers or apply for licenses directly from major composers. However, with the growth of the Internet, music has become more accessible than ever. For the majority of people, Artlist might be the perfect solution.
Content produced by independent filmmakers and online creators continuously raises the bar for all of us. In the “old days” you could shoot on an average camcorder with a built-in mic, now it’s up to you to build a professional rig and consider the sound design. Furthermore, if there’s one thing the rise of TikTok and Instagram has taught us, it’s smartphone video. Mobile users are used to high-quality sound. This is just to say, spend money on sound, not on a shiny new camera. 
Why Artlist?
With so many platforms to choose from, Artlist can feel like another audio platform. However, Artlist is more of a touch. Founded by filmmakers, it aims to solve a problem they have encountered themselves. They believe that every filmmaker should have access to free music at an affordable price, which is perhaps something the company founders did not have at one point. 
An important aspect of Artlist is being fair to the artists. Unlike tinkering studios with thousands of pieces a day, Artlist is artist-based only. Artists put their heart and soul into making music, just as you put your heart and soul into making videos.
Speaking of the Artlist platform, it also deserves praise. Capturing the Artlist is very simple and fast. The site was built to be simple from the ground up. Music is divided into styles, genres and moods. If you need an upbeat rock song for a killer sports ad, you can search for “rock,” “upbeat,” or any other word that matches the mood. Another useful feature is the ability to search by engine. If you’re shooting a romantic scene, you may want to include a relaxed violin solo tune. 
Valuation
Let’s talk about prices on Artlist. Not only should it be accessible, but it should also be transparent. Music licensing is a major industry, and of course, pricing will vary depending on the intended use. For example, some platforms charge higher fees for commercial use. The size and audience of the project play no role in the Artlist valuation. Be it a short home video you want to listen to music on, or a major social media product, Artlist is setting the same monthly fee as $14.99 or $9.99 annually per month (119 $.88 annual payments). This includes all content, forever (as long as your subscription lasts). If you want to go beyond what’s on offer, try the ultimate Unlimited plan, which includes almost everything. Tracks listed on Artlist are original, royalty-free new works. That means no copyright strikes or monetization. This is especially helpful for people who are just starting to create content and may not be familiar with copyright and licensing laws. Artlist’s Personal Plan targets social media creators, which will allow them to cover all social media channels, with one channel per platform. This restriction is removed as soon as you start using the Unlimited Plan. It’s the best way to buy music for commercial work.
Can Photographers Also Use Artlist?
Sure! Photographers working at events or even weddings are often asked to make a short slideshow. It would be pretty boring to watch one without music, so you can use Artlist to add some. Plus, if you’re shooting time lapse or some other series of shots, you’ll want to add music to enhance the production value of your work. 
Maybe it’s silly to ask if photographers can use Artlist. With video becoming more and more popular, most photographers have been shooting both still and moving photos. Most Vogue covers come in two formats: still print and digital video.
Stop thinking
Adding good music to your videos is unquestionable. With a platform as simple and affordable as Artlist, it’s a joy to use. The ability to search based on multiple keywords and having a simple license for the song makes it all enticing. Artlist grows with you, which makes it a nice permanent solution for your video (and photo) audio work. In general, the simpler your tools are, the more creative you can be. Artlist is a simple tool.
