Frequently Asked Questions
MUSIC USAGE
YouTube
If you want to use my music on your YouTube channel, please obtain a license either from me or from a music library or service that offers licenses for the music. The fees for these licenses can vary depending on the composer or the provider, and the type of license you need. Some licenses may be one-time fees, while others may require ongoing payments or royalties.
TWITCH
You can use my music without permission. Just be aware, I don’t have control over copyright issues there. If you can find my music on Twitch music library, you can use for free as long as you are a Twitch affiliate or partner.
If you want to use music that is not included in the Twitch music library, you’ll need to obtain a license from the appropriate rights holder, i.e. either myself or a music library. 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 policies.
NON-COMMERCIAL AND NON-PROFIT
If you’re a non-profit organization, you can use my music freely for non-commercial and non-profit personal projects without asking for permission.
If you get funding from any organization or government, the project is not regarded as non-profit and you’ll need to buy a license. You can find my music from a music library or service that offers licenses for non-profit use. The fees for these licenses can vary depending on the composer and the type of license you need. Some composers 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 composer’s policies.
For commercial projects you can buy a license from me directly. The license price depends very much on the size of your project. The more expensive licenses also include a possibility to edit or even remake the licensed songs to fit into your project better. For example, I can cut, remix and loop the licensed song to fit in your video game. I will only provide non-exclusive licenses for existing songs.
For more details, please feel free to contact me.
Remember to provide:
- Title(s) of the song(s) you want to get a license for
- Production or project name
- Production type (video game, film, TV, trailer, performance etc.)
- Production budget and/or music budget
COMMISSIONS
Are you looking for custom music for your project? For music composing and production, I charge by the hour. Price depends on the project budget, the amount of music needed and complexity of the required compositions. The minimum starting fee per project is $2,500. The composition and production quote includes only virtual instruments. Any live instrumental recordings will require an additional cost. For more details, please feel free to contact me.
The following info is required for me to calculate the time and cost for your project:
- Amount of music: Number of songs and approximation in minutes
- Usage: Video game, TV, film, trailer, performance, online, corporate etc.
- Musical complexity (from less expensive to more expensive): 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? Do you need selling rights for the music?
- Production budget and/or music budget
- Project name
- Timeframe
FAQ
If you have a question, please read through this section before sending me a message.
Q: Can you give me some hints about composing with virtual instruments?
A: For starters, a good and cheap all-round library is probably EastWest Symphonic Orchestra Gold, and for more deep-sampled and quality instruments, Hollywood Orchestra. I also recommend 8dio bundles whenever they go on-sale.
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. 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?
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 on hand, sorry.
Q: Do you play any instrument?
A: Yes, I play piano and some vocals. Nowadays, I’m 80% doing everything on the computer.
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.