Music transforms a podcast from raw conversation into a produced show. A 3-second intro jingle tells listeners they found the right feed. Background tracks set the emotional tone during storytelling segments. Outros give your audience a consistent send-off that reinforces your brand. According to podcast listener surveys, shows with professional music receive 27% higher completion rates than those without any audio branding.
Adding music to your podcast requires three decisions: where to place it, which tracks to choose, and how to stay legal with licensing. This guide walks through each step so you can upgrade your sound without overspending or risking a copyright strike.
Where to place music in your episodes
Most podcasts use music in three locations:
- Intro (first 10-30 seconds): A recognizable theme that brands your show and signals the start of the episode.
- Transitions (between segments): A 2-5 second music sting that separates topics or indicates a break. Keeps listeners oriented during longer episodes.
- Outro (final 15-30 seconds): A closing theme that wraps up the episode. Often fades out under your call-to-action.
Background music during content is optional. Interview and conversational podcasts typically skip it because music under speech reduces comprehension. Narrative shows often use subtle beds to build atmosphere.
Choosing the right tracks
Your music should match your show's tone without overpowering your voice:
- Instrumental only. Vocals compete with speech and reduce listener comprehension by up to 40%.
- Energy match. Business podcasts suit clean electronic or ambient tracks. Comedy shows work better with upbeat funk or quirky synth.
- Quick builds. Select tracks that establish their character in the first 3-5 seconds. Slow intros waste your most valuable time.
- Clean loop points. Your intro track should have a natural fade or loop around 10-15 seconds so you can adjust length as needed.
Understanding music licensing
Using copyrighted music without a license can result in takedowns, demonetization, or legal action. Your options:
- Royalty-free libraries: Pay once, use forever. Platforms like Epidemic Sound ($13/month) and Artlist ($15/month) offer unlimited downloads.
- Creative Commons: Free tracks that require attribution. Check the license type carefully as some prohibit commercial use.
- Original compositions: Hire a musician or use AI tools to create custom music that belongs to you.
- Public domain: Older classical recordings are free to use, but verify the specific recording is public domain, not just the composition.
Mixing music with your voice
Getting the balance right takes practice. Follow these guidelines:
- Set background music 18-22 dB below your voice level. If your voice sits at -16 LUFS, your music bed should sit around -34 to -38 LUFS.
- Use auto-ducking to lower music when you speak and raise it during pauses. Most DAWs and podcast editors include this feature.
- Fade in over 1-2 seconds, fade out over 2-3 seconds. Hard starts and stops sound jarring.
- Test on multiple devices: headphones, car speakers, and phone speakers. If the mix sounds clear on all three, it passes.
How Jellypod helps
Jellypod's music features handle the entire music workflow. The platform generates custom intro and outro music that matches your show's tone, applies it automatically to every episode, and handles the mix levels so your voice always stays clear. No separate subscriptions, no manual editing, no licensing headaches.
Final thoughts
Music elevates a podcast from amateur recording to produced show. Start with intro and outro tracks, get the licensing sorted, and keep background levels low enough that your voice remains the focus. The technical work pays off when listeners remember your show by its sound.
