Where Can I Find Free Use Music For Fan Videos?

My approach to picking free-use music for fan videos got organized after I encountered a copyright claim that ate a month of monetization — lesson learned: licensing matters more than coolness. First, I classify what I need: ambience, beats, or a theme. Then I match license types. CC0 is my top pick because it's essentially public domain; CC-BY works fine if I can add a clear credit. I avoid CC-BY-NC for projects I might monetize, and I treat CC-BY-SA cautiously because derivative works sometimes have sharing requirements.

For sources, I rotate through 'YouTube Audio Library' for quick grabs, 'Incompetech' for cinematic cues (Kevin MacLeod's stuff is everywhere but check the attribution rules), 'ccMixter' for remixes and vocal chops, and 'Jamendo' when I want indie tracks with clearer licensing options. I also keep a local catalog: file name, artist, license text, source URL, and a screenshot of the license page. That tiny habit saved me during a takedown dispute once.

A few practical checks: verify whether the track allows synchronization (sync rights), whether it allows commercial use, and whether it triggers Content ID claims on platforms like YouTube or Twitch. If I ever use fan-made covers or vocals from other creators, I message them and ask for permission in writing — sometimes artists will grant explicit usage rights. In short, pick the library that suits your vibe, document everything, and be ready to swap out a track if a platform flags it. That way I can focus on storytelling in my edits rather than legal troubleshooting, which is much more fun.

I hunt for free music the way I hunt for the perfect clip: methodically and with receipts. My go-to starting points are 'YouTube Audio Library', 'ccMixter', and 'Free Music Archive' because they let you filter by license and export easily. I always look for CC0 or CC-BY tracks — CC0 means you can do basically anything, CC-BY requires attribution but usually allows monetization. CC-BY-NC is a red flag if you plan to monetize, since it forbids commercial use.

Beyond those, indie artists on 'SoundCloud' sometimes let downloads with Creative Commons; search with the CC filter and message the artist if the license text is unclear. Also try 'Purple Planet' and 'Bensound' for mood-based cues — many of their tracks are free with attribution. Whatever you pick, save the license link or screenshot, include credit lines in the video description, and check for Content ID flags after uploading. For music from anime or commercial releases, assume it's copyrighted unless you find a clear license or a cover that explicitly grants sync rights. Personally, I prefer to mix an unobtrusive instrumental for background and a few unique stingers so the fan content stays mine without legal headaches — it keeps everything smooth when I upload and share.

I usually keep it simple: go to the 'YouTube Audio Library' first, then branch out to smaller sites. 'Bensound' and 'Purple Planet' give me good background loops for quick edits, and 'Musopen' is perfect if I want classical pieces that are public domain. When I need something a bit stranger I hit 'ccMixter' or 'Free Music Archive' and filter by Creative Commons licenses.

Two habits that save me time: always download the license page or take a screenshot, and add an explicit credit line in the video description even if the track is CC0. Also, be wary of anime OSTs or popular songs — they look tempting but are usually copyrighted. If I want a theme-y feel similar to an original show, I try to find an instrumental inspired piece from a free library or ask an independent musician for permission. That way my fan video keeps the right mood without risking a strike or demonetization. It just makes uploading less stressful and more fun to watch.

If you're making fan videos and want music that won’t get you muted or hit with a copyright claim, there are actually a bunch of places I regularly poke around that have legit free-to-use tracks — you just need to be a little careful with the license details. My go-to starting point is the YouTube Audio Library because it’s super convenient: you can filter for tracks that require attribution, are fine for monetization, or are totally free. I’ve used several of those for montage-style fan edits and the best part is YouTube already flags if a track has restrictions so you don’t get surprised later. Beyond that, Kevin MacLeod’s Incompetech (lots of cinematic and quirky stuff) and Free Music Archive are huge resources, and they’re full of Creative Commons options. The key is to understand the CC tags — CC0 or public domain is safest, CC-BY just needs attribution, while CC-BY-NC (non-commercial) can bite you if you plan to earn ad revenue or run a monetized channel.

If you want more variety, SoundCloud and Bandcamp can be goldmines if you filter for Creative Commons releases or directly message indie artists for permission. I’ve messaged a couple of creators and got written OKs to use their music as long as I credited them — small, friendly collabs like that make a video feel more personal. Other places I like: Jamendo (good for indie music and has a clear licensing section), Musopen for classical and public-domain recordings, ccMixter for remixes and electronic tracks, and OpenGameArt if you want chiptune or lo-fi game-style pieces. Be cautious with sites that present “free” tracks but actually require a paid license for commercial or monetized use — always check the license page and any fine print. For a more professional but paid option, services like Epidemic Sound or Artlist remove headaches with one subscription, but they aren’t free — worth considering if you’re serious about monetized work.

Practical tips from my own screw-ups and wins: always take a screenshot of the license or download page when you get a track, and save a copy of the audio file with a note of where and when you grabbed it. Put a small attribution block in your video description (track title, artist, source link, license name and link) — something like: Track: 'Song Title' — Artist (link) — Licensed under CC-BY (link). If you ever plan to monetize, avoid NC-licensed tracks. Also remember Content ID can still trigger on reused commercial tracks even if you have permission, so when in doubt, get written permission or use public-domain/CC0 music. I love discovering lesser-known musicians who let you use their work; giving proper credit feels good and often starts a friendship that leads to future collabs. For me, hunting down the perfect free track has become half the fun of making fan videos.

If you're making fan videos, the music you pick can absolutely lift a montage from neat to emotional, and luckily there are tons of truly free options if you know where to look. I usually start with the 'YouTube Audio Library' because it's straightforward: filters for attribution-free tracks, mood, duration, and even whether music is allowed for monetized videos. I download the track, save the license screenshot, and paste the attribution in the description when required.

Beyond that I dig into 'Incompetech' for those instantly recognizable, cinematic vibes, and 'Free Music Archive' or 'ccMixter' when I want something more experimental. For classical stuff I use 'Musopen' since lots of older works are public domain and safe to use. If I'm after licensed indie beats, 'Jamendo' and 'Bensound' often have free-to-use tracks with attribution requirements.

A few practical tips that save me headaches: always check the Creative Commons variant — CC0 is the easiest, CC-BY needs attribution, and CC-BY-NC disallows commercial use (so be careful if you plan to monetize). Keep a copy of the license page or screenshot, and include credit lines in your description. If the fan video uses music from the original show (like opening themes or character songs), those are usually still copyrighted, so I either get instrumental covers with clear licenses or pick something original from the libraries above. It's a little more work up front, but it keeps my uploads clean and my viewers focused on the edits — happy editing!