In today's digital age, video and film has become increasingly important as a means of communication. Whether you're creating educational content, promotional videos, entertainment pieces, or films, the music you choose can have a significant impact on how your message is received.
I think it is fair to say there are a huge amount of royalty free library music platforms out there that all offer the same thing…..which is…..vast quantities of music, instantly available, for a low monthly fee that you can use without consequence, completely risk free, in your video’s, films and podcasts. Sounds amazing doesn’t it! But, is this really the land of milk and honey for videographers and filmmakers? Is there another way?
Before we go any further, it’s time for full disclosure…..I compose Bespoke Music, BUT….I also compose Royalty Free Library Music.
What is Bespoke Music?
While library music is often used due to its convenience and accessibility, bespoke music offers a unique, valuable and cost effective alternative that can elevate your video or podcast content to the next level.
Bespoke music is custom-made music that is created specifically to fit the needs of a particular project. This means that the music can be tailored to match the mood, tone, and pacing of a video or podcast in a way that library music cannot.
Bespoke music is made to hit all the ‘Hit Points’ that you need. It rises and falls, ebbs and flows in a way that YOU direct and control. It creates the right mood and emotion. It puts YOU in control of your project.
And to dispel some myths:
No, you don't need to hire the London Symphony Orchestra.
No, you don't need to record it in Abbey Road Studios (but that would be cool, right?).
No, it doesn't take ages to get it….a few days at the most.
No, you don’t have to sell a kidney or get a second mortgage to pay for it.
No, it isn’t produced on a cheap Casio Keyboard (yes, we’ve all had one).
And finally, no it doesn’t have to have a Ukulele in it (but it can if you want).
Why Use Bespoke Music?
With bespoke music, you have the ability to create a truly one-of-a-kind soundtrack that will help your video stand out from the crowd. It is built to your vision, brings some added creative magic to your project, and it's just for you.
1. Your Vision, Your Way
Bespoke music is custom-made to fit the exact needs of your project. This means that it can be tailored to match the mood, tone, and pacing of your video in a way that library music simply cannot. In fact, Bespoke Music is the absolute opposite of library music…..if you use library music it is that which determines the mood, tone and pacing of your video, not you….even if you don’t realise it.
Bespoke music fits your creative vision instead of your creative vision fitting the music.
On the other hand, library music can be generic and may not match the specific needs of your project. This can result in a disconnect between the music and the visuals, which can impact the overall quality of your video. With bespoke music, you have the flexibility to tailor the music to the exact needs of your project, ensuring that the music and visuals are seamlessly integrated.
2. The Creative Magic - Collaboration
Working with a composer to create bespoke music can be a collaborative and creative process that can enhance the overall quality of your video and help bring your vision to life.
Us creatives know what it’s like to work with others….
The back and forth of bouncing ideas around is when the magic happens and creative genius occurs.
And when you work with a composer to produce bespoke music for your project, you get creative collaboration for free! Everyone loves a freebie!
3. I’ve Heard this Before - Exclusivity
One of the big advantages of using bespoke music in your videos is exclusivity. Unlike library music, which can be licensed by multiple people for different projects, bespoke music is exclusive to your project. This ensures that your video is completely original and unique, and can help to enhance the overall impact of your message.
But why be original and unique?? That’s just asking for trouble isn’t it?
Bespoke music is exclusive to your project
This is where Branding and reputation come in. There is a piece of music on AudioJungle that has been downloaded over 18,000 times. That’s 18,000 other projects that use the same music. And all I am going to say on this is that the Adult Film industry uses A LOT of royalty free music. Do you want your video, film, brand or company to be inadvertently associated with that? If you do, go for it!
In Summary
Whilst library music can be a convenient option, for some projects this will be placing ‘the horse before the cart.’ You are potentially allowing the music to dictate and control the project, and bring in potential harmful consequences to your brand, product, company or project.
On the other hand, bespoke music offers a range of benefits that can help take your video content to the next level. From exclusivity and creative control to bespoke sound design, bespoke music can help your video stand out and create a more impactful final product. So, if you're looking to create high-quality videos that truly resonate with your audience, bespoke music is the way to go.
How Can I Help?
At Black Lab Music, we love creating bespoke, emotional music that connects with people and creates engagement. We speak to a lot of videographers and filmmakers and recognise that the reason library music is used so extensively is because it is accessible, fast and seemingly cheap.
To that end, we have created a Library Music 'Alternative' Package that is designed to give all the benefits of bespoke music while retaining the benefits of library music. In summary, we will take your library music that isn't working and produce you some bespoke music that matches the mood, tone and pace of your library music but in a way that overcomes the problems you are experiencing. And we will turn that around in a few days.
This packages starts at £295, which is about the cost of 3 hours of your time (that’s roughly the minimum amount of time you spend trying to get the library music to work for you!).
If you would like to know more, then please contact me at michael@blacklabmusic.co.uk or visit our website www.blacklabmusic.co.uk
I hope to speak to your soon
Michael
Michael Coltham is a Media Composer and Music Producer who specialises in composing emotion through the medium of music. He is a published Indie-classical/Neoclassical composer and artist and is the founder of Black Lab Music, which produces bespoke music for use with video, film, podcasts or other media. You can find his personal work at https://songwhip.com/michaelcoltham or visit his website at www.michaelcoltham.com
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