Frequently Asked Questions
MUSIC USAGE
YouTube
If you want to use any of my music on your YouTube channel, you must first obtain a written license from the appropriate rights holder, i.e., either directly from me, or from a music library or service that offers licenses for my music. The fees for these licenses can vary depending on who is providing the license, and the type of license that you need. Some licenses may be provided for a one-time fee, while other licenses may require ongoing payments and/or royalties.
If your video is claimed by a copyright owner, and you want to declaim your video and control the monetization yourself, you’ll need to obtain and pay for a license (the fee for which will depend on various factors, e.g., your channel size, number of subscribers, number of views, etc.). For example purposes only, if your video contains my music and is expected to get less than 100,000 views, the license fee might be $100 per song, and such license may be perpetual or may be for a limited period of time (the higher the expected view count, the higher the licensing fee). I will only provide non-exclusive licenses for my existing songs.
TWITCH
If you want to use any of my music on your Twitch channel, you must first obtain a written license from the appropriate rights holder, i.e., either directly from me, or from a music library or service that offers licenses for my music. If you can find my music in an established Twitch music library, you might be able to use such music for free as long as you are a Twitch affiliate or partner, and the Twitch music library’s license for the applicable music allows for free usage. The fees for these licenses can vary depending on the rights holder and the type of license you need. Make sure to read the terms of the license carefully to ensure that you’re using the music in compliance with the rights holder’s agreed upon licensed rights, rules, and/or policies. I will only provide non-exclusive licenses for my existing songs.
TIKTOK, INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, TWITTER (X), & OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS
VIDEO: If you want to use any of my music in your video and post on your profile, you must first obtain a written license from the appropriate rights holder, i.e., either directly from me, or from a music library or service that offers licenses for my music. The fees for these licenses can vary depending on who is providing the license, and the type of license that you need. Some licenses may be provided for a one-time fee, while other licenses may require ongoing payments and/or royalties. Make sure to read the terms of the license carefully to ensure that you’re using the music in compliance with the rights holder’s agreed upon licensed rights, rules, and/or policies.
LIVE STREAM: If you want to use any of my music on your profile live stream, you must first obtain a written license from the appropriate rights holder, i.e., either directly from me, or from the Platform music library or service that offers licenses for my music. If you can find my music in an established Platform music library, you might be able to use such music for free as long as the Platform music library’s license for the applicable music allows for such applicable free usage. The fees for these licenses can vary depending on the rights holder and the type of license you need. Make sure to read the terms of the license carefully to ensure that you’re using the music in compliance with the rights holder’s agreed upon licensed rights, rules, and/or policies. I will only provide non-exclusive licenses for my existing songs.
NON-COMMERCIAL AND NON-PROFIT
If you’re a non-profit organization, you can use my music freely for non-commercial purposes; provided, however, that you first request such non-commercial use in writing and I agree to such use in writing. If your non-profit would like to use any of my music for a commercial purpose, you must first obtain a written license from the appropriate rights holder, i.e., either directly from me, or from a music library or service that offers licenses for my music.
You may also find my music administered by a music library or service, that might offer licenses for non-profit use. The fees for these licenses can vary depending on the rights holder and the type of license you need. Some rights holder may offer discounted rates for non-profit organizations, so make sure to ask about any available discounts. Make sure to read the terms of the license carefully to ensure that you’re using the music in compliance with the rights holder’s agreed upon licensed rights, rules, and/or policies.
Generally, if you would like a license for commercial projects, you can buy a license directly from me. The license fee will depend on various factors, e.g., the size of your project. You will also need to obtain a written licenses if you would like to edit or even remake the licensed songs to fit better into your project. For example purposes only, I can cut, remix, and/or loop the licensed song to fit in your video game or commercial. I will only provide non-exclusive licenses for my existing songs.
For more details, please feel free to contact me. Remember to provide the following information in your “Request For A License”:
- Your contact name and info (incl. address, email, and phone #)
- Title(s) of the song(s) you want to get a license for
- Production or project title/name
- Production Company contact info
- Production type (video game, film, TV, trailer, performance, etc.)
1) If commercial, please provide details on product or service
2) If video, TV, film, or other audiovisual work please provide project synopsis and scene description where song will be used
3) If website, please provide website domain - Both production budget and music budget
- Licensed Period (exact date/time of usage; e.g., # of years, perpetuity, etc.)
- Initial air or release date
- Territory
- Length of Use
- Media for release of your project (e.g., cinema, TV, radio, Internet, festivals)
- Do you intend to alter the song in any way. If yes, how
- Any additional notes
CUSTOMIZED MUSIC
Are you looking for custom music for your project? For music composing and production, I will charge by the hour, or flat fee, or other fee structure. The fee structure for my composing and/or production services is open to negotiations. Fees will depend on various factors, e.g., the project budget, the amount of music needed, the complexity of the required compositions, etc. The minimum starting fee per project is $2,500. The composition and production quote includes only virtual instruments. Any live instrumental recordings will require additional costs and fees. For more details, please feel free to contact me.
In addition to the information you will provide in your “Request For A License” (see above), please provide me with the following additional information which will be necessary for me to calculate the time and cost for your customized music:
- Amount of music: Number of songs and approximation in minutes
- Musical complexity: e.g.,
1) Simple orchestra (not more than ten instruments),
2) folk instrumentation,
3) full orchestra, choir, and percussion,
4) symphonic, synth or folk metal,
5) full orchestra with complex hybrid and synth layers and effects - Rights: Do you need an exclusive or non-exclusive license? Or do you need a full buyout of rights
- Timeframe for the production and recording of customized music
FAQ
If you have a question, please read through this section before sending me a message.
Q: How do you compose your music?
A: As mentioned above, I primarily use virtual instruments in the creation of my music, but can use live musicians and instruments upon request for custom music.
Q: My YouTube video was claimed by “CDBaby” or [some other entity]. What should I do?
A: Your videos will get claimed if you use my music without consent (without a license). If you have a license or a permission to use my music on a monetized or commercial video, send me a message with the link to the video and I’ll remove the claim. You can also purchase a license or just keep the claim. The claim doesn’t affect your YouTube channel in any way, it’s just for monetization purposes.
Q: Can you make me a song for free?
A: No, sorry.
Q: Can I use your music for free?
A: Please see Music Usage section above for more information.
Q: Is there a possibility to buy a physical copy of your music?
A: Yes, there are limited edition CDs available for selected albums on Bandcamp and Amazon.
Q: Can you make a tutorial about composing?
A: Unfortunately, I do not have the time to make such videos.
Q: Do you have sheet music, midi files?
A: My music is sold on SheetMusicPlus.com. For midi files, I don’t have any on hand, sorry.
Q: Do you play any instrument?
A: Yes, I play piano and some vocals. However, nowadays, the majority of music that I create is on the computer with virtual instruments and keyboard.
Q: Are you going to do live concerts?
A: Not anytime soon. It would be incredibly costly to hire a full orchestra and solo instrumentalists to play my music. I hope to do so in the future.