The Problem with Music Libraries!!!

Music libraries are an awesome resource for anyone needing tunes for their project whether you’re a content creator, producer, filmmaker, agency, or just someone trying to spice up your videos. These libraries offer a massive selection of tracks that can be licensed for a fraction of what it costs to hire a composer. Sounds perfect, right? Well, not quite. While music libraries are super handy, let’s be honest, they can come with their own set of headaches.

In this blog, we’ll break down the common problems people face when working with a music library, from licensing nightmares to the overwhelming amount of choices, and even the legal risks that could trip you up if you’re not careful. You may well have experienced some of these yourself!

1. What Are Music Libraries?

Let’s start with the basics. A music library is basically a giant collection of songs you can pay to use for your projects. Whether you’re working on a tv production, a podcast, an ad, or a film, these libraries offer a huge variety of tracks—different genres, moods, tempos, you name it. And because the music is pre-recorded, it’s often cheaper and faster than hiring a composer to create something original for you.

But here’s the issue: even though music libraries make things convenient, they can also be a total pain to work with. From complicated licensing agreements to spending hours finding the right song, things can get frustrating fast.

2. The Licensing Headache

Types of Licensing Explained

Licensing might sound straightforward, but it’s often anything but. Depending on the music library, there are different types of licensing options, and choosing the wrong one could mess up your entire project. Here are the main ones you’ll run into:

- Royalty-Free: Pay once and use the track as much as you want.

- Rights Managed: Price varies based on where, when, and how you use it.

- Sync Licensing: You need this to match music with visuals, and it can come with some specific limitations.

If you don’t fully understand these options, you could end up either overpaying or worse, create a rights infringement.

Regional Restrictions & Legal Drama

Even if you get the licensing right, there’s more to worry about. Some tracks might only be available for use in certain countries. So, if you’re planning an international release or running a global marketing campaign, this can be a huge headache. You could easily get tangled in legal issues because you accidentally used a song in the wrong country. Talk about frustrating!

Budget Woes: Licensing Costs

Music libraries are usually more affordable than hiring a composer, but that doesn’t mean they’re cheap. Costs can add up, especially if you need high-end tracks or plan to distribute your content widely. For indie filmmakers or small businesses with tight budgets, these costs can be a big challenge.

3. Too Many Choices, Too Little Time

Decision Fatigue in Music Selection

One of the biggest challenges when working with a music library is the sheer number of choices. Some libraries have thousands or even millions of tracks to browse. That sounds great until you’re drowning in options and can’t find anything that feels right for your project. It’s easy to spend hours scrolling through songs, and still come up empty-handed.

Finding the Perfect Track

Even when you do narrow down your choices, finding the perfect song can be tough. Maybe the track is almost right but feels just a little too slow, or it has the wrong kind of instrumentation. You don’t need to be a music expert to know when something doesn’t fit, but it helps if you have a good sense of what you’re looking for. Otherwise, you might settle for a song that doesn’t quite hit the mark.

4. Inconsistent Quality

Some Tracks Sound Cheap

Not all tracks in a music library are of the same quality. Some sound like they were thrown together in someone’s garage—bad mixing, weird levels, or just plain bad production. It’s frustrating when you’re working on a professional project, but the music sounds amateurish.

Overplayed or Outdated Tunes

Then there’s the issue of overused tracks. You might stumble across a song that feels perfect, only to realise you’ve heard it in a dozen other productions. Overuse can make your project feel less original and even lower its impact. Audiences will notice if the same track has shown up before in a similar media!

5. Where’s the Originality?

The Risk of Using Overused Tracks

One of the downsides of using stock music is that you might not be the only using it. When the same track is licensed by dozens (or hundreds) of other people, it loses its uniqueness. Imagine using a song for a heartfelt documentary, only to hear the same track pop up in a cheesy commercial a week later. It can cheapen your project and even confuse your audience.

Branding and Standing Out

Music is a huge part of branding. Companies spend big bucks to create a unique audio identity. If the music you’re using isn’t unique, it can dilute your brand. You don’t want people to associate your company’s ads with someone else’s project because you used the same generic tune.

6. Tagging and Search Issues

Poor Categorisation

Music libraries use tags and categories to help you search for tracks. Unfortunately, the tagging is not always accurate. A song that’s tagged as “upbeat” might feel more mellow, or a track labeled “rock” could sound more like pop. These mistakes waste time because you have to sift through irrelevant tracks.

Bad Search Tools Make It Worse

Even when tracks are tagged correctly, the search tools themselves can be clunky. Sometimes, you can’t search for the exact mood or tone you need, and instead, you’re forced to wade through a bunch of tracks that aren’t quite right. Without good search filters, finding the right track can feel like finding a needle in a haystack.

7. File Format Frustrations

Not All Formats Are Equal

Different music libraries offer different file formats, and this can cause a whole lot of frustration. For example, some libraries might only offer MP3s, which are compressed and lower quality. Others might offer WAV files, which sound great but take up a ton of space on your hard drive. Picking the right format is key, especially if you’re working on a high-end project where sound quality really matters.

Compatibility With Your Software

On top of that, some music libraries aren’t fully compatible with the editing software you’re using. You might have to convert files or jump through other hoops just to get them to work. These compatibility issues can slow down your workflow and create unnecessary headaches.

8. Time-Sucking Search Process

Endless Browsing

One of the biggest complaints about using music libraries is how time-consuming it is to find the right track. The browsing process can easily eat up hours of your day as you audition track after track. It’s not uncommon to get stuck in a loop of indecision, unable to find a song that feels like the perfect fit.

Waiting for Approval Takes Forever

Even after you’ve found a track, the process isn’t over. If you’re working with a team or client, you’ll need to get approval, which often involves sending multiple tracks back and forth. The more people involved, the longer it takes, and before you know it, days or even weeks have passed without making a final decision.

9. Music and Visuals Don’t Always Sync

Emotional Disconnect

One of the hardest parts of using stock music is finding a track that really matches the emotion of your visuals. A song might sound good on its own, but when you add it to a scene, it feels off. If the music doesn’t sync emotionally with the visuals, it can ruin the entire vibe you’re going for.

Timing Problems With Pre-Made Tracks

Music from a library isn’t tailored to your project, so the timing can be tricky. Maybe the song’s climax happens too early, or it’s too long for your video. You might have to spend extra time editing the music to fit the visuals, and even then, it might not feel right.

10. Copyright Confusion

Licensing Missteps and Legal Risks

One of the biggest risks when using a music library is messing up the licensing. If you don’t fully understand the terms, you could accidentally use a song in a way that isn’t allowed. This could lead to legal trouble or even having your content taken down, which is a nightmare for any creator.

The Public Domain Trap

Public domain music can be especially confusing. Just because a song is old doesn’t mean you can use it freely. Sometimes, the composition might be in the public domain, but the recording is still copyrighted. If you don’t know the difference, you could end up in hot water.

11. Limited Customisation Options

Why It’s Hard to Edit Stock Music

One of the downsides of using stock music is that you don’t have much control over it. Unlike hiring a composer to create something custom, you’re stuck with whatever is pre-recorded. This means you can’t easily tweak the tempo, change the key, or make other adjustments that could improve the fit.

Adapting Tracks to Your Needs

Even when you can make some edits, it’s often hard to cut or rearrange a track without ruining the flow. For projects with specific timing needs, like syncing to a commercial or a scene in a film, this lack of flexibility can be a huge issue.

12. How to Make Working With Music Libraries Easier

Build Your Own Playlists

One way to save time is by creating playlists of tracks you like. This way, you don’t have to start from scratch every time you need a song. Keep a folder of your go-to tracks that fit a variety of moods, so you can quickly pull something that works.

Use More Than One Library

Relying on a single music library can limit your options. Try using multiple libraries to increase your chances of finding unique and high-quality tracks. Different libraries have different strengths, so mix it up to find the best fit for your project.

13. Let AI Do the Searching

Some music libraries are starting to use AI tools that can recommend tracks based on the mood, genre, or style you need. These tools can save you a ton of time by narrowing down your options right away, instead of making you dig through endless lists of tracks.

Consider Hiring a Music Supervisor

If you have the budget, hiring a music supervisor can be a game-changer. They’ll handle all the music-related headaches for you, from finding the perfect track to managing the licensing. It’s an extra cost, but it can save you a ton of time and stress in the long run.

Conclusion

Music libraries are a great resource, but they come with their own set of challenges. From the complexities of licensing to the overwhelming number of choices, it’s easy to get frustrated when things don’t go smoothly.

560 Music (the home of Made Up Music) has come a long way in recent months, we’ve critically assessed our services and incorporated numerous initiatives to help you overcome many of the issue detailed above:

Finding Tracks – We’ll nail any music brief, saving you search time, typically within 24 hours

Clearance – All our music is fully cleared for use in all media

Licensing - via MCPS keeps things easy and secure

Budget – We’ll work with you to ensure you get the right music at fees your budget can support.

File Format – Our download formats are WAV, AIF or MP3.

Quality – We actively curate our music, regularly adding new high quality productions

Worried about Originality? – We’ll let you know if selected tracks are already licensed

Tagging – We review our metadata to ensure accuracy, and have AI enabled search to make things more flexible and easier to find the perfect track.

Stems – We’ll work with our composers to get what you need.

Playlists – We’ll produce unique recommended playlists for you.

560 Music offers full music supervision services if required.