The podcasting boom is well underway. Following a steady rise in productions and listeners, podcasting has officially taken over the media landscape. The Edison Research Infinite Dial 2025 survey reveals that this already popular medium has reached an all-time high: over 70 percent of Americans ages 12 and up have listened to podcasts — and well over half are monthly consumers.
NPR refers to the modern podcast as a “diverse, rich medium, with millions of shows covering almost every conceivable topic and just as many listeners.” Listeners appreciate podcasts’ versatility, ease of access and overall personable feel. These support sustained connection in a digital world otherwise characterized by short attention spans and surface-level overviews.
Within our modern discussions of podcasting, however, the true richness of this listening experience is often left unmentioned. Podcasting often emphasizes the spoken word, with conversational styles making hosts and guests feel like close companions. Underlying these conversations are musical elements that add further meaning to the listening experience, sparking deeper emotional connections or even prompting a sense of wonder.
Why Music Matters in Podcasts
Music sets the stage for a meaningful listening experience, reinforcing critical themes or values while also enhancing entertainment value. This also provides the occasional break so that audiences can let the podcast’s message sink in. Altogether, this creates a richer and more resonant experience, leaving the listener eager to hear more.
The Role of Music in Shaping Mood and Tone
Music sparks an immediate emotional response. The genre, the tempo and even the lyrical content can set listeners in a desired state of mind, amplifying any emotional effect sparked through the podcast’s strictly narrative elements. This can deepen the podcaster’s relationships with the audience, thereby boosting storytelling resonance while making each podcast feel deeply memorable.
Growing Listener Expectations in Audio Storytelling
Podcasting has come a long way in just a few years. While the audiences of yesteryear were often content to simply listen as their favorite hosts shared their opinions, expectations have since increased substantially. Having experienced the heightened emotional impact of a well-crafted podcast experience, listeners now expect that every production will now live up to these elevated standards.
Simply put, podcasts do not come across as professional or as credible if they feature bare-bones production. Listeners want to recognize intentional effort in the form of curated intros, outros, stingers and background music.
Choosing the Right Music for a Podcast
Today’s podcasters recognize the value of strategically selected music, but many struggle to know which pieces will best support their messaging or how to incorporate these compelling tunes. There is no simple formula, but music, like podcasting itself, must reflect the unique needs and preferences of the target audience.
This must also feel relevant to the pacing of the podcast. Different music may prove more appealing at different times. Financial concerns and royalties may also come into play, however, and these limitations must be top of mind when selecting podcast music.
Matching Genre to Audience and Content
It’s no secret that a dramatic original score can set the tone for a movie, but the same is increasingly true in the world of podcasting. Nothing matches, for example, the drama of a sweeping string arrangement, which amplifies already emotional moments. Meanwhile, lighthearted podcasts benefit from upbeat melodies that keep productions feeling energetic. Audience demographics must also be taken into account, and not merely because podcast use differs between age groups. Generational preferences and other cultural elements can determine which types of podcast music resonates.
Balancing Original Compositions vs. Stock Libraries
Stock libraries offer a wealth of podcasting music options, which allow podcasters to access affordable podcast music. The downside? Because royalty-free podcast music is used so frequently, it can begin to feel generic. Custom podcast music can match podcasters’ visions while expanding opportunities for music producers looking to break into new markets. In the interim, music producers can benefit from strategic positioning that expands their exposure within the podcasting market.
The Importance of Consistent Branding Through Music
In an increasingly saturated podcasting environment, it is important to make a memorable impression. This can be accomplished via consistent sounds that bring an element of auditory branding to each podcast. Signature sounds also distinguish music producers, increasing the likelihood of making a splash in the podcasting world. The goal is to establish a recognizable audio identity that the listener finds compelling.
Production Techniques for Podcast Music
Production techniques determine how music and the spoken word coalesce — whether it all ties together to create a cohesive listening experience that enhances the overall meaning of the podcast. The right production techniques can help music feel uniquely tailored to the podcast in question.
Creating Custom Intros and Outros
Intros and outros cue audiences, serving a similar purpose to theme songs in television or radio shows. Audiences enjoy a sense of familiarity, gained through repetitions of unique introductions at the beginning of each episode. This greeting should feel warm and welcoming, gaining a podcast-specific vibe through thoughtful customization.
Layering Background Tracks Without Distracting the Voice
The right background music can set the right tone for any podcast, but it should never have to compete with the voices of the hosts or guests. Background music for podcasts should feature simple sounds that will not distract from the episode in question. Examples could include guitar solos during true-crime podcasts or danceable drum beats in the background of pop culture or comedy shows.
Using Loops, Stingers and Transitional Cues
Audio formats such as podcasts rely on audio cues to let the listener know when transitions are taking place. Producers insert brief, simple-sounding stingers to grab the listener’s attention, letting them know when one segment transitions into the next. These cues can limit awkwardness during the inevitable transition from commercial breaks back into the podcast content itself.
Tools and Software for Music Production
The explosion in the popularity of podcasts has been a boon to independent podcast producers, who can leverage a wide range of tools and solutions. Concurrently, music producers can build many familiar technologies into the process of creating curated, podcast-friendly sonic experiences.
Popular DAWs for Podcast Music Creation
Digital audio workstations (DAWs) are as impactful in podcasting production as they are across the full spectrum of the music industry. Many podcasters or podcast-focused producers favor Reaper for its flexibility and wealth of included plugins. FL Studio is another popular option, known for its attentive user support and free lifetime updates.
Plugins and Effects for Clarity and Depth
Ambitious creators intent on crafting unforgettable podcast intro music will need the right VST (virtual studio technology) plugins for the job. For example, Kontakt 8 by Native Instruments allows creators to explore diverse musical concepts. Another excellent solution from Native Instruments is Massive X for huge synth sounds. Parallel dynamic equalizer TDR Nova harnesses the power of dynamic EQ to bring enhanced precision to the table.
Affordable Options for Independent Podcasters
Independent podcasters often face significant financial limitations, which can make accessing music difficult in the first place. Add technological expenses, and the barrier to entry quickly becomes too much for some people. Thankfully, some affordable options exist for podcasters on a budget.
Alitu features not only impressive audio production tools, but also the ability to easily publish finished podcasts to the platform of your choice. Adobe Audition is another budget-friendly choice for producers seeking easy-to-use production suites.
Licensing and Legal Considerations
It’s easy to get tangled up in the messy world of licensing, music rights and copyright strikes. What may seem like a free, open-source resource could set off the ever-vigilant digital rights management (DRM) checkers that are beloved by the music industry and loathed elsewhere. When searching for the best music for podcasts, it’s important to always know the specific licenses and legal considerations that may be attached to various pieces.
Royalty-Free vs. Rights-Managed Music
Royalty-free music removes the need for recurring payments, replacing these with a single fee to facilitate unlimited use. This can be a great way for podcasters to score legally cleared, high-quality music for a reasonable price. In the meantime, producers may benefit from the expanded exposure.
From the podcaster’s perspective, however, a considerable downside can emerge. These royalty-free music collections can feel comparatively restrictive, especially when podcasters are determined to reinforce a specific theme or curate a particular tone.
While a rights-managed approach offers podcasters increased flexibility, it also brings new risks. Chief among these is the added complexity it introduces to the already intricate licensing landscape.
Navigating Copyright and Fair Use in Podcasts
Copyright violations must be avoided at all costs, as the consequences can be severe. Cease and desist letters are certainly possible, but the threat of lawsuits can also loom large. Producers understand the value of copyright law as a form of protection but may need to take extra steps to safeguard their music in an industry that, unfortunately, has been rife with copyright infringement.
This is where it becomes especially important to understand the realities of fair use and how this can differ across various markets. Although this may, at first glance, appear to permit podcasters to use copyrighted material, a lot depends on how they attempt to do so. Analysis can provide a strong case for fair use podcast music, but sizable clips used exclusively for entertainment are far more questionable.
Best Practices for Crediting and Compliance
Podcasters and music producers can promote fairness and avoid legal pitfalls via consistent crediting practices and by keeping detailed records of all agreements surrounding music licensing for podcasts. Attribution and usage rights documentation are critical but should be elevated through clear communication with rights holders or other collaborators.
Trends in Podcast Music
Podcast music, like any music, undergoes a clear trend cycle, in which certain genres or production techniques are utilized more often. Producers should aim to keep up with these trends, but without feeling beholden to them.
Minimalist and Ambient Soundscapes
Ambient soundscapes create appealing sonic environments, which bring listeners to new worlds. Minimalist compositions may seem simple by nature, but the best tracks can be surprisingly complex in their creation and arrangement. These pieces can create emotionally immersive experiences without distracting from narrative content.
The Rise of Genre-Blending Scores
Podcasting music supports experimentation, defying the need to stick to a specific genre. Instead, podcasters favor blended genres like trip hop and retrowave. These styles help podcasts feel fresh while simultaneously evoking a sense of nostalgia, thereby expanding podcasts’ sonic reach.
Personalized Themes for Branded Podcasts
These days, influencers and content creators view podcasting as a powerful opportunity for amplifying their personal brands. Curated themes support this effort by reinforcing core values or messaging through the power of music. Marketing guru Amy Porterfield, for example, begins The Amy Porterfield Show with a simple, yet catchy theme that promises a burst of energy while reinforcing her perception as an industry authority.
Podcasts also support corporate branding, reinforcing compelling messaging from social media and other digital marketing efforts.
The ultimate example here is the Inside Trader Joe’s podcast, which reflects the spirit of the beloved grocery store chain not only with cheery, entertaining topics, but also with an earworm of a theme along with additional background music that’s just as upbeat. This feels true to the overarching marketing approach that landed Trader Joe’s the distinction of being named the most trusted brand of 2025.
Case Studies in Effective Podcast Music
Podcasts have become their own massive industry, even equipped with podcast-exclusive charts that convey a strong blend of storytelling and personality. Many of these make ample use of curated themes or soundscapes, offering insight into how to choose podcast music.
Narrative Podcasts With Cinematic Scores
Podcasting has recaptured the magic of the radio era, with narrative or dramatic podcasts, in particular, demonstrating the power of sound to enhance storytelling. The music woven into these products feels downright cinematic at times, bringing the magic of the silver screen to our own headphones or earbuds.
- Homecoming. The Spotify Studios drama Homecoming delivers much of what listeners appreciate about TV thrillers, so it should come as no surprise that this is now a TV series on Prime. The original podcast remains especially compelling, however, heightened by the moody soundtrack that keeps listeners on the edge of their seats.
- The Shadows. Stirring pianos and soaring strings help establish tones ranging from fun and flirty to somber and introspective in this award-winning romantic drama podcast.
- El Gran Apagón. This modern-day radio drama tells the story of a world plunged into darkness due to a massive solar storm. The sparse, minimalist compositions in the background reveal how to blend spoken performances with music.
- Dust. Due to its anthology structure, Dust gets the opportunity to change up its musical stylings with each new story it tells. Most episodes, however, feature a perfect blend of minimalist music woven into the spacey sound effects that give each story a distant, far-away feeling.
Comedy Shows Using Playful Stingers
Comedic productions have long relied on sound effects to create lively atmospheres while also boosting comedic timing. These days, creative podcast sound design helps these shows maintain sharp pacing while shaping distinct podcast personalities.
- No Such Thing As A Fish. A prime example of great podcast outro music, No Such Thing as a Fish sets a playful tone early with the jaunty synth melody that begins and ends every episode. This same melody is used to break up the facts being discussed within the show, which gives tuned-out listeners an opportunity to get their minds back on track.
- How Did This Get Made? Featuring two distinct opening theme songs (one for live shows, the other for episodes recorded in-studio), How Did This Get Made? always starts off with a bang. The upbeat tracks get listeners in the mood to laugh, and in some cases sing, as the show also features listener-submitted songs.
Tips for Producers Entering the Podcast Market
The explosion in podcasting delivers a whole world of new opportunities to contemporary producers, who can use their talents to carve out their own unique space within a quickly growing medium. Opportunities for breaking into this niche include:
Building a Podcast Music Portfolio
Producers rely on music portfolios to demonstrate not only their creativity and technical skill sets, but also their versatility and adaptability. While portfolios are often curated to reflect preferred genres, they may now need to reflect diverse mediums, including podcasting. Polished and professional samples can go a long way towards demonstrating podcasting passion and expertise.
Networking With Podcasters and Agencies
Experienced music producers are well aware of the need for extensive networking, which helps them connect with artists, labels or other collaborators. This effort can now be expanded to encompass podcast-specific producers or hosts, and the agencies that represent leaders in the podcasting world.
Networking efforts may involve industry events or professional associations, although many online communities can feel uniquely supportive. Cold outreach may be required, although producers also benefit from leveraging existing contacts from the music industry: audio engineers or even artists.
Setting Fair Rates for Independent Work
Music producer rates and royalties can vary dramatically between projects. Podcasting adds an additional element of variability, making it difficult for producers to establish fair rates that truly reflect their talent and hard work. These rates should not merely focus on active production time, but also should take hidden costs into account.
Market research can reveal competitor rates within various niches and according to differing project scopes or services. Producers should take a close look at pricing models, considering how these might influence value perception and long-term earning potential.
Music as a Competitive Edge
In a rapidly growing market that some worry is beginning to feel oversaturated, music provides a quick path to differentiation. This can provide a competitive edge for podcasters and music producers alike.
How Producers Can Capitalize on Podcast Growth
As podcasting grows, music producers have increasing opportunities to assist hosts, editors and producers. They can simplify the often complex and lengthy process of selecting music that aligns with a podcast’s overall brand and goals.
Balancing Creativity, Budget and Listener Needs
Podcasting allows music producers to explore different facets of auditory storytelling, highlighting not only the narrative power within any given melody, but also revealing how greater meaning can emerge as songs are incorporated within various contexts or as these pieces support diverse creative projects. This is an exciting time in music production, and with the right vision — not to mention, a strong understanding of listeners’ preferences — producers can create memorable soundscapes that resonate with audiences.
Discover New Opportunities in Music Production
As the scope of music production continues to expand, it is important to explore a diverse range of mediums and creative possibilities. We encourage in-depth exploration at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD), where we cover not only the technical components of music production, but also practical concerns within the music industry and beyond.
Offered online, our Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Production contextualizes production techniques based on industry trends such as streaming and podcasting. Request more information or learn how we can support you in pursuing your passion for music production.
