This is music specifically recorded for general use in dramas, comedies, commercials and documentaries for radio, television, theatres, schools and businesses. Producers use this music when there is no budget for a composer, and/or when they need music quickly. Library music has the advantage of being economical and readily available, since composing a score can take weeks, or months. Producers sometimes find themselves in a time bind so, going with library is a sensible solution.

Also, composers usually intentionally omit 'source music' (radio, live bands, muzak, period, or folk music, etc.). It generally makes more sense for the producer to simply get these cues from library, since it is quick and economical, with no loss in quality.

Most library music is first rate and well recorded, with the best libraries being those with lots of depth ( good variety and a great quantity of music, sometimes thousands of cues, or pieces) and a high quality of writing. A first rate library always has great depth (thousands of selections) and never sounds chintzy.

There are plenty of smaller libraries around with good music but, if the library only has a few hundred cues, you'll be repeating stuff over and over, and you'll also be unable to find every possible mood, period, or ethnic sound you might want. Most important of all, library music is 100% free from copyright and piracy worries. A small fee is paid for each use, and most of this compensates the publishers and musicians. A written license is then issued, on request, which authorizes the use of that music for that particular show and that show only.

My special, low rates average around $125 per cue (composition), depending on type of use. Contact me for more information.