Audio Sanctum Free Use Terms
We allow the use of our tracks as free background music in non-music, non-ambient content on Free Video Websites & Social Media (even monetized), with our full credit text added. Music and ambient content, ads, and any other uses are not allowed for free and require a license.
Check if you qualify for Free use
Take our short test and answer some quick questions to find out if your content or use case qualifies for free use or needs a license.
1. Sign Up & Download Music
Sign up for free access to our music catalog and find tracks suitable for your projects. Download high-quality mp3 formats. Receive notifications about our free music releases for your social media, videos, and livestreams.
2. Add Credit To Your Video
Your video will receive an automatic copyright claim, which will only be removed if it is eligible for free use and includes the full, unaltered credit text of the track(s) in your video description. You can find this credit after downloading a track (in the pop-up) or on the individual track page. Example:
3. Your Content Will Be claimed,
Reviewed and Whitelisted
After uploading your video with our music, you'll receive an automated copyright claim on YouTube. This won't harm your channel. We will review the claim as soon as possible after it showed up in our systems, to check if it meets our free use terms and includes the required copyright text. If it qualifies, the claim will be released. If not, get in touch with us. Don’t use our music in livestreams, as the claim would take down your stream. We suggest uploading your video as “unlisted” until we removed the claim. Do not appeal the claim with YouTube’s appeal process, as this is going to delay the review process!
4. Optional: Give Back To The Artist & Audio Sanctum
Using one track for your video would usually cost a minimum of $59 per video. If your content qualifies for free use, please consider a voluntary contribution to support the artist and Audio Sanctum's mission. Thank you so much! (Note: Donating only supports the artist and does not buy a license or the right to use our music outside of our free use terms).
USES THAT REQUIRE A LICENSE
Every use case outside of free consumer content, e.g. Game, ad, app, event, movie, audiobook, podcast, radio, TV, museum, theater, CD, public space, coaching, wellness, digital product, online course, presentations, phone system, concert, festival, art installation, church, public transportation, theme park etc.
Music focused content, e.g., livestreams, music videos, music compilations, ambient content, screensavers, mood videos, remixes, audio productions, songs, or any music content along those lines). For that, you need to apply to our YouTube Music Channel Program where we work directly together with music content creators.
Creating new music with or from our audios or compositions, sampling, remixing, singing or rapping on top or altering our music.
NEVER ALLOWED
Don’t re-upload any content that includes our music under “creative commons” or “royalty free”. None of our music is legally allowed to be put in these categories.
Don’t claim any sort of ownership, don’t upload our music to any content ID, music rights administration, free music archives, or music download pages.
Do not claim the right to license or sub-license our works.
Any questions? Check out our Music Use FAQ or send us a message!
youtube music channel program
If you've ever considered using our unique choir and chant music for your music channel, this is your opportunity. While our choir and chant tracks aren't typically free to use for music channels, this program offers a unique opportunity using our music while you create the artwork and videos. Interested in being a part of this exclusive collaboration? Get in touch!
Free Music Use Questions
Using Audio Sanctum Music is a great opportunity to add a unique atmosphere to your precious content. In this section we clarify the most asked questions from content creators.
Am I eligible to use Audio Sanctum’s music for free?
In order to find out, please complete the Free Use or License questionnaire, which gives you a result in under one minute.
Can I use Audio Sanctum’s music for monetized videos?
Yes, you can use our music for free in your monetized videos, provided you meet the free use eligibility criteria and include the proper credit text in the video description (and optionally in the comment section to support us).
Can I use Audio Sanctum’s music without credit?
Using Audio Sanctum’s music without credit is only allowed if an appropriate license was acquired. It is strictly prohibited to use our music without including the required credit text unless it is under a licensed agreement.
Can I modify the music for my projects?
You are free to adapt the music needed for standard video editing (shortening, fading, loudness changes). Any editing that changes the sound of our music (re-mixing, new audio productions, singing/rapping. pitch changing, stretching) as well as sampling needs a license and is not covered by free use. Please get in touch to send your license request if you need this.
Am I allowed to sample your music?
Sampling is only allowed if a sampling license was acquired beforehand (never under free use). Please use our licensing formular to send your request. If these terms are breached, we will strike your content and take legal action.
Am I allowed to sing or rap on top of your music?
Singing or rapping over our music is allowed only with a prior license and is not covered under free use terms. Please use our licensing formular to send your request. If these terms are breached, we will strike your content.
Can I translate the credit text?
No, descriptions that include translated credit text are not eligible for copyright claim whitelisting.
Do I need to register to access the free background music?
Yes, it is required to sign up in order to download our music. By signing up, you will receive email notifications every time we release new music that you can use. Additionally, registration provides you with unlimited access to browse our music catalog.
What do I need to do to use your music for free in my videos?
If you qualify for free use, you must first sign in to our catalog. Once registered, browse and download the music you wish to use. After downloading, a pop-up will provide you with credit text, which you need to paste into your content's description. If you'd like to further support us, you can also add this credit text in the comment section of your content.
I Received A Copyright Claim or Strike, What Should I Do?
It depends what the reason is for the copyright claim:
When you use our music in your videos, an automated copyright claim will be generated. Once your videos appear in our systems, we will verify if the free use terms apply and if the necessary copyright text has been included. If these requirements are met, we will remove the copyright claim. Please refrain from using YouTube's appeal process within the first seven days, as this could delay our review. If the claim persists after this period and you believe your content qualifies for free use, please contact us
If you receive a third-party copyright claim because YouTube's Content ID system has mistakenly identified your audio as another track, please note that Audio Sanctum's name will not be associated with these claims. Follow the appeal process on the platform where your content was flagged. Provide the third party with a detailed description of your music source (Audio Sanctum), its uniqueness compared to the claimed content, and your rights under Audio Sanctum's free use terms, if applicable. If your appeal on YouTube is unsuccessful and the third party refuses to remove their claim, please contact us for further assistance through our network, although resolution cannot be guaranteed. Please note: we can’t help you before you didn’t appeal one time!
If your content falls under our music creator terms, we may issue a strike against your channel. In such cases, you will need to join our music creator program to prevent future strikes. Compliance with our terms is crucial to ensure fair usage for all users and to honor our supportive approach to content creators.
Unfortunately, some people attempt to abuse Content ID systems by placing wrongful, malicious copyright claims. While we cannot completely prevent this due to the architecture of YouTube's Content ID system, we respond quickly to such issues behind the scenes and are usually able to solve this in a very short time. If you face such a claim, please allow some time for it to be automatically removed. There should be no lasting negative effects on your channel.
I need a license, where can I get one?
Please use our licensing contact formular to send your license request.
Is there a limit on how many tracks I can use for free?
There is no limit to the number of tracks you can use for free from our catalog. You are welcome to utilize any part of our extensive music collection, provided that you are eligible for free use.
How can I download the free background music tracks?
Please sign up to our music catalog. Once registered, you can download the music by clicking the download button next to each track and album. Ensure that you are eligible for free use. After downloading, you'll receive the necessary copyright text in a pop-up, which you must paste into the description of your content. If you'd like to support us further, consider also adding the credit text to the comment section of your content.
How can I support you further for what you offer?
Your support of Audio Sanctum and its musicians is highly appreciated! You can give back by using our voluntary donation option or purchasing items from our shop. Thank you so much!
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