Epidemic Sound is a great music resource that Freedom! offers Freedom! partners for free. Below are some of the most common question.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
What do I need to know about Epidemic Sound licensing through Freedom?
If your Subscription is already payed for by Freedom! you don't need a separate license to use Epidemic Sound music on your channel. In order for Epidemic Sound to verify you as a partner, please log in through the Freedom! dashboard or by clicking on the Freedom! logo here. If you cannot get access, please contact Epidemic Sound support department so that they can double check if your channel has been linked properly.
Can I use Epidemic Sound music as theme music for my channel?
Yes you can. As long as your videos will just be hosted on YouTube, it's all good. You must have an active subscription at the time you post your videos.
Does my agreement through Freedom! cover my other channels that are not linked to the Freedom! And Epidemic Sound?
The subscription payed for by Freedom! only covers channels that have an agreement with Freedom!
What happens to existing uploaded videos with Epidemic Sound music if I leave Freedom!?
All videos that are published with Epidemic Sound music during the term of the agreement can be made available forever, on YouTube, worldwide. When the agreement is terminated you are, however, no longer allowed to upload new videos with Epidemic Sound music that were downloaded when you previously had a subscription. Epidemic Sound uses YouTube’s Content ID to protect their customers and product. If you use their music without a subscription they will monetize your videos.
Can I use tracks that were downloaded during my partnership in new videos published after leaving Freedom!?
When the agreement with Freedom! is terminated you are no longer allowed to upload new videos with Epidemic Sound music that was downloaded when you previously had a subscription covered by Freedom! Epidemic Sound uses YouTube’s Content ID to protect their customers and product. If you use their music without a subscription they will monetize your videos.
How should I credit Epidemic Sound for the music that has been used in my production?
Please add the following in your video description and/or in your video credits: ‘Music by Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com)’
What tracks do I have access to at Epidemic Sound?
The YouTube Creator Subscription gives you access to their entire library for your subscribed channel.
What rights are included?
All rights are included! Forget sync rights, mech rights, master rights and public performance rights – Epidemic Sound includes EVERYTHING.
Does the YouTube Creator Subscription include YouTube embeds on Facebook and similar platforms?
Yes, the subscription allows you to post YouTube embedded videos on Facebook. It’s also ok for you to use their music on your native uploads on Facebook. This is on condition that the content is similar to what you upload on your YouTube channel. In return they will require you to send the name of your Facebook page and that you credit them, preferably in the description of your videos.
Does the YouTube Creator Subscription cover native videos on Facebook, Twitch and Instagram?
Epidemic Sound doesn’t have a subscription service on any of these platforms yet, but they are working on it. Until then, it’s ok for you to use their music on these platforms on condition that the content is similar to what you upload on your YouTube channel. Provided that you have an active YouTube subscription. In return they require that you contact them with an URL of your page name/channel ID and that you credit them (preferably) in the description of your videos.
I have access to Epidemic Sound through Freedom but I received a false Content ID claim from Epidemic Sound. What should I do?
If you got a Content ID claim from Epidemic Sound this means that you may not have created an account in a way that Epidemic Sound can recognise you as a licensed user. In order for Epidemic Sound to verify you as a Freedom! partner, please log in through your Freedom! dashboard or by clicking on the Freedom! logo here. If you cannot get access, please reach out to Freedom! support by clicking at the top of this page in "Submit a request" so that we can double check if your channel has been linked properly. Once you have confirmation that you are a Freedom! partner you can dispute the claim or contact Epidemic Sound at hello@epidemicsound.com to have the claim retracted.
How do I dispute a content ID claim from Epidemic Sound?
In the Video Manager, select Copyright Notices. Click on the link that says Includes copyrighted content then click on File a Dispute. If it's not Epidemic Sound claiming your video, they will not be able to retract this claim even if it’s their song, but they will do everything they can to help. Please send them a screenshot of the claim to copyright@epidemicsound.com and they will contact the claimant and YouTube from their end. Then, if you haven't already, you must dispute the claim. Add a link to the track in their library and state that you have a valid license from Epidemic Sound to use their music. If they should continue the dispute (which they have no right to do) please refer them to hello@epidemicsound.com.
Why did I receive a claim from a third party for using music I licensed from Epidemic Sound?
Epidemic Sound owns 100% of the legal rights to their music meaning that it’s copyright safe for you as a licensed user. Unfortunately, false claims are a known issue when using any music on YouTube – but on a more positive note, as they have all of their tracks registered in YouTube's Content ID the likelihood is small when using Epidemic Sound music. If you should receive a Content ID claim from a third party when you know that you have the legal right to use it, you can have the claim retracted. Please contact Epidemic Sound with a screenshot of the claim and the URL of your video. They will contact the claimant from their end. Then you can file a dispute and refer to the valid license to use Epidemic Sound music. If you can, add a URL of the track from our library. Learn more about how to dispute claims here. Don't hesitate to contact Epidemic Sound of Freedom! support if you have more questions about YouTube's claiming process.
Why has YouTube sent me a copyright notification?
If your YouTube video contains copyrighted material you may receive a copyright notification. All videos uploaded on YouTube are scanned towards a database of reference files submitted by copyright owners. If there is a match the copyright owner gets to decide what happens to the video. If your video receives a Content ID claim it may be blocked, muted or monetized by the copyright owner. You can learn more about Content ID claims here. If you have a license to use Epidemic Sound music you don't have to worry about copyright claims from anyone. Since Epidemic Sound owns 100% of the rights to the music they have all of their tracks registered in Content ID. This means that Epidemic Sound (and only them) control their music on YouTube. This way they can ensure you that no one else can block, mute, remove or monetize your video on YouTube. If you should receive a "false" Content ID claim please contact them at hello@epidemicsound.com. If you publish videos on YouTube with their music without a license to do so you may receive a Content ID claim from Epidemic Sound.
What is production music?
Production music, also called library music, refers to recorded music that can be licensed to customers for use in film, television, radio and other media. All the tracks are newly composed for Epidemic Sound, and made specifically to be used in audiovisual productions.
What does Royalty Free music mean?
The term "royalty free music" is old, and until recently it has implied one thing: that there are no mechanical/synchronization costs associated with the music. However, Epidemic Sound's definition of royalty free goes further. Not only is the music free from mechanical/synchronization costs, it is also free from public performance costs. In addition the Epidemic Sound music is both legally and financially cleared for all platforms worldwide. In other words you are always free to use the musical content on all platforms available wherever you are without any further costs or legal negotiations. We call this all rights included.
ABOUT EPIDEMIC SOUND
What is the difference between Epidemic Sound and other production music libraries?
In many cases, other production music libraries will only claim the rights to “represent” a certain catalogue or a number of tracks for a certain period of time. This means that the quality and direction of the catalogue is often difficult to predict. Epidemic Sound is a meticulously curated library and has bought and paid for every single track since its conception in 2009 with the sole purpose of becoming the production music library with the highest quality in the world. Secondly, other production music libraries are only able to offer the synchronization and the mechanical rights for a one off fee. This is what they mean by the term “Royalty Free” – the user only pays a one-off fee to the library for the license to use the music in the production, and then the deal with the library is done. However, the music is not cleared for public performance and the company broadcasting the music still needs to pay recurring public performance fees to collecting societies in every country in which the music is broadcast, forever. The Epidemic Sound license includes all three rights: mechanical rights, synchronization, and public performance. The monthly license fee and the yearly license fee covers everything! Many production music libraries use the term Royalty Free when marketing their product. Epidemic Sound, however, makes a complete copyright transaction with its authors. Please be advised that music that has been cleared for public performance in the United States has NOT automatically been cleared for public performance anywhere else in the world. This means that if you put content online from US based “Royalty Free Libraries”, collecting societies outside of the US may have a right to collect on such material.
Is Epidemic Sound's music registered with any Public Rights Performance societies?
No, Epidemic Sound and their composers are not members of any collecting society. This means that no PRO can collect any public performance fees from you for using their music, which is the case with many other libraries.
What should I do if I have reached a download limit with Epidemic Sound?
They have a weekly limits based on "normal” download behaviour and it is very rare that someone actually reaches this limit since it is automatically reset once per week. If you have reached your download limit, please double check so that you're verified as a Freedom! partner on Epidemic Sound website. In order for them to verify you as a Freedom! partner, please log in through your Freedom! dashboard or by clicking on the Freedom! logo here. If you're verified and still have reached your download limit please email Epidemic Sound at hello@epidemicsound.com for a reset of your account.
How to find the best music possible via Epidemic Sound website?
Epidemic Sound has made it easy for you to find the music you love!
Looking for a segment intro or a theme?
Epidemic Sound has several shorter tracks called "Stings" that are perfect for an intro, outro or as a theme for your Podcast or YouTube channel. Just search for "Stings" in the search bar to find them.
I heard a great song from Epidemic Sound in someone's video, but how do I find it on their website?
Epidemic Sound currently doesn’t have a music identification tool. However, you can just use the ”contact us” method if you can't find an Epidemic Sound song that you've heard. You will need to provide them with a link to the video that you saw. They know their library pretty well so fingers crossed they'll find it for you!
How to use Epidemic Sound to Create projects and playlists?
Creating projects and playlists within the Epidemic Sound player is an effective way of keeping track of all the songs you want to use in your productions. Here is a video explaining just how to do this.
How to use Epidemic sound to Share a project or playlist via Epidemic Sound website?
Sharing a project or playlist is a great tool when there are several people involved in choosing music for your productions. To share your project or playlist just hit "share" when your playlist or project is open and type in the email address of the person you want to share your project or playlist with. Anyone that has access to your shared playlist or project can add and delete songs.
Does Epidemic Sound have Sound Effects through Audio Micro?
Yep! Sure they do!! They have a wide variety of sound effects through Audio Micro, perfect to use as a mood enhancer in your productions! They are found under SFX in the Epidemic Sound-player, or if you just search "SFX".
How do I find instrumental versions of Epidemic Music Tracks in their website?
ALL of their vocal tracks are available as instrumental versions. If you find a vocal track and want the instrumental version of it, just search for the track and include the search string "Instrumental" to find it.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the use of Epidemic Sound, please reach out to our support team by clicking the "Submit a request" link at the top of this page and fill out the information.