Buyout music is used interchangeably with the phrase royalty free music. Buyout music evolved as a result of producers, groups and companies that wanted to circumvent the high costs inherent in creating original music scores for feature films, videos, television programs or multimedia projects. The cost of producing music scores was and is very expensive and can be a major reason that a film or media production does not turn a profit. Now, with the advent of buyout music and its low cost structure, media producers can afford the music and the actors.
How Buyout Music Came to Be
When the first feature films were created, there was no such concept as buyout music. In fact, including live music with a film production was not regarded. Never were there accompanying music scores or voice tracks. Piano players would sit alongside the playing of the film, watch the action on the screen unfold and try to simultaneously perform music that would convey the feeling of the moment. Most of the early films were comedic or mellow dramas and the music played was predictable.
As time moved forward, technologies improved and so too did the level of sophistication in music scores. Music scores gradually became key components to feature films, thought to enhance the user experience. In comparison, films produced without music were thought to provoke less emotion. So, accompanying music scores were pretty much here to stay. However, a new media budget component was also created.
Quite often, the high price of production music libraries was responsible for films not making a profit. In addition, the cost of filming in the US has increased and has thus become a significant issue. Many films now are being produced in Canada or abroad.
When production budgets are cut, the first item to be trimmed is the music score.
Now, because of the advent of buyout music or background music, production budgets are more in line and no longer need to be cut from the production process. With buyout music, a one-time fee is paid to those that maintain the rights and the buyout music is yours to keep forever.
Needle Drop Music
Is Buyout Music a Better Deal than Needle Drop Music?
Buyout music is royalty free music. You pay a one-time fee for a production music library that gives you the right to play that music whenever and wherever you desire.
Needle drop music is different but sometimes effective for some artists and companies. Needle drop can also be referred to as a “pay as you play” option where you only pay for music when it is used, one song at a time if you wish. This type of licensing option was originally referred to as needle drop because it referenced the act of lowering a phonograph needle on to a record to place the music in a production. Needle drop today has morphed into “laser drop” referring to the advance of CD’s over vinyl records.
As with buyout music, the needle drop music option gives you access to your production music library either through download or CD. However, needle drop music requires that you remit a license application and license fee each time you use or play the music. The advantage to a per-use option is that your initial investment is very low, almost negligible. However, royalty free music is so inexpensive today that you are better off spending $100 for an entire royalty free production music library rather than $30-$40 for a one-time use of a single track of music, even if your needs are simple ones like background music.
