Also known as library music, production music is generally written specifically for a piece of content such as film or radio which requires accompaniment. In the early days of silent film, this would be delivered on site by a pianist or other musician who would play along to the events on the screen as they unfolded. Today, for broadcasters, finding that perfect track to match the visuals you’ve created isn’t always easy. Or if it’s something well known by a living band or composer it can get expensive quickly. Production music houses, therefore, offer a cost-effective and convenient solution for sourcing the right track at the right time, with the minimum of hassle.
How to Get Started
Contacting a music production house is the first step, of which the PRS publishes an excellent list here. They’ll put you in touch with one of their representatives with whom you can discuss your needs, and who will send you some audio clips of likely music. It will either be delivered to you in an online streaming format, or via CD.
Noting down the Details
With a near infinite supply of audio to choose from, library music works via highly specific numbered ans lettered catalogues, of which you’ll need to note down the ones which interest you. You’ll want to note down the:
- Catalogue Number
- Each track’s specific code
- Composer’s name
- Music Library’s name
- Exact timings of chosen tracks
Confirming Licence Details
If you’ve chosen a piece of existing music, understanding the licencing is paramount. With so much music in the world these days, it’s important the composers responsible get paid, so the next stage is to apply for your licence, confirming all the details, then submit to get your quote. Obviously prices will vary depending on what forms of media you’re using, what the audience will be, how many times it will be aired and so forth. Production Music houses are there to make this process as seamless as possible for you, however, so lean on them as you need to.
Commissioning Production Music
Sometimes, a particular film maker will require new music, either because they want originality, or because nothing they’ve heard quite captures the mood of their piece. In this case, production music houses work with some of the world’s top composers to come up with something apposite. By this method, one can start with a concept and marketing strategy, then choose a musician with a great track record, and come up with something really exciting. This might be an album, a film score, or a brief burst or atmospheric ‘noise’ to match a moment in the film. Many well known musicians, with active touring schedules and commercial albums, also dip their toes into production music because it adds another string to their bow, and offers another income stream. Depending on the deal which is made, a composed piece might also be resold time and time again, providing income which keeps trickling in over the years.
The flexibility of pre-recorded music
Library music offers one huge advantage over scores which are composed on request, and that is the ability to test the effect of a particular audio clip against the visuals. Until one actually experiences the two together, the final effect can be very hard to gauge. But with the huge resources of a music library at your disposal you can simply scroll through hundreds of pieces until one finally clicks. With that eureka moment, the film or TV piece will reach its completion, and of course you only have to pay for the one you’ve chosen!
Resources
Music Production Houses
Wiki Page on Production Music