During your early days as a YouTuber, social media creator, or podcaster, you probably won’t think too much about the impact of different sounds on your content. But as your expertise grows, you’ll start to gain more of an understanding of how sound can engage your audience.
Online content creation is one of the most in-demand professions on the planet, and finding music and sounds to accompany what you make is easier than ever. We’ve seen several companies offering royalty-free sounds burst onto the scene, and one of the most popular is Artlist.
So, what exactly is Artlist, and what can you use it for? Where can you use it, and how much does it cost? Keep reading; we’ll reveal the answers to each of these questions below.
What Is Artlist?
Artlist is a platform that lets you download an unlimited amount of music and sound effects for your videos and podcasts. The company was founded in 2016 and is somewhat similar to Epidemic Sound, another business in this niche that you might have heard of.
To use the music and sound effects on Artlist, you’ll need to create an account and pay for a license—we’ll talk more about the monetary side of things later. Once you’ve purchased your permission, you can download more than 12,000 songs and over 60,000 sound effects.
Where Can You Use Artlist’s Music and Sound Effects?
The places you can use the music and sound effects on Artlist will depend on the license type you choose. However, you will find some platforms where it’s possible to use these sounds regardless of your membership tier; we’ll discuss the main ones below.
YouTube
Making videos that stand out is one of the fundamental basics of starting a YouTube channel, and adding music to your content is an excellent way to achieve this. The music you use can dramatically alter the story you try to tell, and it’ll also change the emotions that your viewers feel when watching your content.
When you buy a license from Artlist, you can use the music and sound effects in your videos—and still monetize your content. Considering how many songs you have to choose from and the volume that gets added each month, you’ll find it easier to upload more original projects.
Podcasts
Podcasts are among the most popular forms of content to consume, and for several good reasons. You can listen to them in multiple situations, including on your daily commute and when you’re going for your daily walk. They’re an excellent way to increase your knowledge with little effort required.
Naturally, sound is the most crucial aspect of a podcast. Of course, you’ll need to speak clearly and have interesting things to talk about—but you’ll also want to think of how you can give yourself even more of an advantage.
Artlist lets you use its songs and sound effects on multiple podcasting platforms, and—like YouTube—you can still monetize your content.
Twitch
Twitch is one of the world’s most popular streaming platforms, and you can use the service for several purposes; gaming is one of the most common ones. Like the other platforms already mentioned, understanding how you can keep your users engaged on Twitch is critical if you want to grow an audience in the long run successfully.
Even if you buy a basic license on Artlist, you can use an unlimited amount of music and sound effects on the platform.
In 2020 and 2021, Instagram began to up the ante in its emphasis on video content. As a result, many creators who were previously only interested in photography have grown their skillset to include video.
Instagram Reels have become particularly popular, and you can use Artlist’s music and sound effects to help your posts stand out. You can also use Artlist for Instagram Stories and regular video content you publish on the timeline.
How Much Does Artlist Cost?
Signing up for an account with Artlist is free, but you cannot use the music and sound effects you see until you’ve purchased a license. Artlist has a tiered pricing structure with two primary options, plus another for larger enterprises.
The most basic Artlist licensing plan is Personal, which lets you use content uploaded to the website on a maximum of one channel for each social media platform you have access to. For the Personal plan, you’ll have access to all of the channels mentioned in the previous section—plus TikTok.
If you want to use this plan, you can purchase an annual subscription that costs $9.99 per month when averaged out over the year. Alternatively, you can buy a month-to-month plan for $14.99 per month instead.
You can opt for the Unlimited licensing subscription if you need something more complex. With this plan, you can use Artlist’s music and sound effects on unlimited social media platforms—in addition to client and commercial work.
Unlike the Personal plan, you can use Unlimited licensing for websites as well. If you buy an annual subscription, pricing starts at $16.90 per month.
If neither of the above fits your needs, you can purchase an Enterprise subscription. These plans are more specifically tailored to your needs, and you’ll need to contact Artlist’s sales team to negotiate a price.
What Can You Find on Artlist?
Now that you know where you can use Artlist and how much it costs, let’s talk a little more about what you can find on the platform.
Music
The primary reason that many creators use Artlist is for its wide selection of music. You’ll find thousands of songs from multiple genres and for several themes, including acoustic, country, and electronic.
You will find a mixture of instrumental tracks and songs with lyrics. Each track is original, so you’ll never run out of ideas.
Sound Effects
In addition to music, Artlist is also particularly useful for sound effects. You’ll find a range of effects you can use in your content, including transitions and sounds from vehicles.
Having sound effects is especially useful in podcasts, as you can use them to paint a picture where the listener doesn’t have access to videos.
Every Content Creator Can Benefit From Using Artlist
Artlist is one of many royalty-free music and sound effects providers, and its offerings have grown significantly since the company was founded. You’ll have access to new songs and sounds each month, and you can use them to make your content interesting without needing to worry about copyright claims.
If you’re not sure where to start, consider getting a Personal plan if you’re new to online content creation. Then, as your expertise increases, you can upgrade if necessary.