For podcasts, YouTube & brand channels · Short cues from 20 seconds · Buy once, every episode, from €29.90
Intro & Outro Music for Podcasts and YouTube
Your intro is the first thing your audience hears in every episode — and you will use it hundreds of times. These are twelve cues picked from the Artyfile catalogue for exactly that job: a 20-second jazz sting, two orchestral openers, band, pop and talk-show cues under 40 seconds, plus longer themes for tech, true-crime and lifestyle shows. Each is licensed once for €29.90 and covers your intro and outro in every past and future episode, worldwide, with no expiry — on podcast apps, YouTube, social and client work, with an instant WAV download, PDF invoice and licence certificate.
Curated by Paul Lorenz — composer, arranger & conductor · his Violin Concerto No. 2 recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios · Vienna State Opera
500M+ streams · Gold & Double Platinum · Instant download · Lifetime worldwide license
Intro & Outro Music for Podcasts and YouTube: hand-picked & sync-ready
Listen, then license: €29.90 per track, one-time · worldwide, for life · instant WAV download
Want your own?A custom podcast intro, written and produced for your show — from €590 (net).
Custom jingles & intros →The Person Behind the Platform
Paul Lorenz
Founder & CEO · Composer
“I spent 30 years inside the music industry — Abbey Road, the London Symphony Orchestra, the major labels — and watched composers get paid fractions of their worth. Artyfile is the platform I wished existed: investment-grade music, owned outright, with composers who finally share in the upside.”
- 30 years in music — over 500 million streams across his catalog
- Collaborations with Universal Music, Sony Music & Warner
- Composes for the London Symphony Orchestra — his Violin Concerto No. 2 recorded at Abbey Road Studios
- Founder-owned: a named composer behind the catalog, not an anonymous library
Intro matcher · which sound is your show?
Which intro music fits your show?
An intro is the first thing your audience hears every single episode. It has to say what kind of show this is before you say a word. Pick your format: you get what the intro has to do, the sound that does it, where to cut it and how the outro follows — plus two tracks from this collection.
Talk show & interview podcast
What the intro has to do
Sound friendly and switched-on, then get out of the way of two people talking
The sound that does it
A warm band groove with electric piano at a mid tempo; clear, short phrases
Where to cut it
After the first full phrase (about 8–10 s), or duck it under your welcome line
The outro
The last bars of the same cue, faded under your sign-off
Try these tracks
Talk Show (Paul Lorenz, 37 s band cue, electric piano) · Sidechain (Lounge Version) (Paul Lorenz, lounge, 115 BPM, F♯ minor)
The intro cheat-sheet: what each show format needs, and which tracks fit
| What kind of show is it? | What the intro has to do | The sound that does it | Where to cut it | Try these tracks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talk show & interview podcast | Sound friendly and switched-on, then get out of the way of two people talking | A warm band groove with electric piano at a mid tempo; clear, short phrases | After the first full phrase (about 8–10 s), or duck it under your welcome line | Talk Show (Paul Lorenz, 37 s band cue, electric piano) · Sidechain (Lounge Version) (Paul Lorenz, lounge, 115 BPM, F♯ minor) |
| Comedy & entertainment | Announce fun in the first second — the energy has to be higher than your opening joke | Fast, playful and bright: band, brass or a cheeky orchestral figure | On the first big hit; a hard cut into the first line lands better than a fade | Just Open It (Paul Lorenz, 31 s band opener, 165 BPM) · Carnival Of Cologne (Traditional, 47 s, strings & flute) |
| Business, tech & knowledge | Signal curiosity and competence: modern, precise, never cheesy | Electronic textures with a clear motif, around 115–120 BPM | At the end of the first 4 or 8 bars, where the motif completes | Hack Theme (Paul Lorenz, synth & hammered dulcimer, 118 BPM, A minor) · Sidechain (Lounge Version) (Paul Lorenz, lounge, 115 BPM, F♯ minor) |
| True crime & mystery | Create unease before the first fact is spoken | Dark synth pads and a pulsing drum; little melody, lots of tension | Let the tension build for 10–15 s, then cut on a beat into the cold open | Stormy (Paul Lorenz, 59 s, synth & drums) · Hack Theme (Paul Lorenz, synth & hammered dulcimer, 118 BPM, A minor) |
| Storytelling & calm interviews | Lower the pulse and invite listeners in — the voice is the main instrument | Solo piano or a soft jazz sting with lots of space | After the opening phrase; keep the piano going quietly under your first sentence | Wow (Paul Lorenz, 44 s solo piano) · Soothe Your Soul - Audio Logo (David Whitman, 20 s jazz sting: piano, sax, double bass) |
| YouTube vlog & lifestyle | Look and sound like your channel in a few seconds — viewers came for you, not for the intro | Bright pop or a band opener with an immediate start | Keep it to a few seconds on YouTube: a title card on the first hit, then straight to you | Fashion Report Opener (David Whitman, 34 s pop opener) · Just Open It (Paul Lorenz, 31 s band opener, 165 BPM) |
| Channel trailer & cinematic opener | Make the channel feel big — the first impression for new viewers | Short orchestral openers that build and resolve in under 35 s | Use the whole cue; both resolve on a final chord in about half a minute | The Opener (Paul Lorenz, 32 s orchestral opener) · Branding Trailer Music (Paul Lorenz, 26 s, Artyfile Orchestra, Abbey Road) |
| History, culture & classical | Set the era and the standard: educated, lively, never dusty | Lively strings — Grieg’s Rigaudon recorded by the Artyfile Orchestra at Abbey Road, or a playful piece for strings and flute | At the end of the first phrase (around 8 s), then duck under your introduction | Grieg: Holberg Suite Rigaudon (Edvard Grieg, 48 s, Artyfile Orchestra strings) · Carnival Of Cologne (Traditional, 47 s, strings & flute) |
| Company channel & brand video | Sound like the brand on every video, webinar and podcast — the start of an audio identity | A short orchestral or jazz cue that can also act as an audio logo | The full 20–26 s cue as intro; the last 3–5 s as a sting between sections | Branding Trailer Music (Paul Lorenz, 26 s, Artyfile Orchestra, Abbey Road) · Soothe Your Soul - Audio Logo (David Whitman, 20 s jazz sting: piano, sax, double bass) |
Licence · episode 1 to episode 500
Your intro plays in every episode — is it still licensed in episode 200?
You don’t use an intro once — you use it in every future episode, often for years and on several platforms. So the question is not whether a track looks free today, but whether it is still covered after you cancel, in new episodes and outside YouTube. At Artyfile you pay €29.90 once per track: intro and outro for every past and future episode, worldwide, with no expiry, on every platform — client work included.
Even a few seconds of a famous song need a licence — there is no “10-second rule”. A song needs a sync licence from every publisher and a master licence from the label.
What does your intro cost over the life of your show? What the providers themselves say
| Source | New episodes later / after cancelling | Outside the platform (podcast apps, video, social) | Credit required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Famous song (even a few seconds) | Only with a sync licence from every publisher + a master licence from the label, negotiated individually | Only as far as both licences reach | Per contract |
| Subscription library (e.g. Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe) | Episodes published while subscribed stay covered; new episodes after you cancel do not — you pay for as long as the show runs | Depends on the plan and the channels you register | No |
| YouTube Audio Library | Yes, on YouTube | YouTube says nothing about use outside YouTube | For Creative Commons tracks, in every video description |
| NCS | Yes, on YouTube and Twitch | The policy names only YouTube and Twitch — podcasts are not mentioned | Yes, in every description |
| Commissioned theme | Per contract, often perpetual | Per contract | Per contract |
| Artyfile Basic (€29.90 once) | Yes — every future episode, no subscription, no expiry | Yes — podcast apps, YouTube, social, website, client work | No |
As of October 2026, from the official pages of the providers named (sources below). Terms change — check the current version before you publish.
Where does your intro play? What applies
| Use | Artyfile Basic | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Audio podcast (RSS, Spotify, Apple Podcasts) | Yes — every episode, worldwide | YouTube Content ID does not apply in podcast apps. In Germany, podcasters license making GEMA-repertoire music available under GEMA’s podcast tariff VR-OD 14 — that applies to any GEMA-registered music, Artyfile’s included. |
| Video podcast & YouTube channel | Yes — sync and master rights included | If the same intro runs in every video, each video can receive a Content ID claim. A claim is not a copyright strike. |
| Monetised channel that lives from ad revenue | Licensed — but one claim per video | With Limited Edition (€69.90 per 1 % master share) you participate in the recording’s Content ID revenue, including other creators’ videos; earnings may be zero. Or an exclusive licence or a theme composed for you, on request. |
| Company channel, webinar, brand video | Yes — paid ads included | A short cue as intro plus a sting between sections is the most affordable start to an audio identity. |
| Podcast or channel for a client | Yes | The licence stays with you as the licensee; your client receives the finished episodes with cleared music. |
| Clips for Shorts, Reels, TikTok | Yes — sync for your own clips | Planning YouTube Shorts with the intro? Ask us before buying. |
| Radio show | Yes — sync and master rights | The broadcast itself is licensed by the station with its collecting society; Artyfile supplies the cue-sheet details. |
Length, cut, loudness
- Podcast intros: Buzzsprout recommends 15 to 30 seconds — any longer and it drags. On YouTube a few seconds are enough: viewers came for you, not for the intro.
- Cut on a phrase end (after 4 or 8 bars) and let the music run on under your first sentence instead of stopping it dead.
- Loudness: Apple asks podcasts for about −16 LKFS (±1 dB) with a true peak no higher than −1 dBFS. Keep the music well below your voice.
- Outro: the same recording as the intro. Start and end then belong together, and your show becomes recognisable.
What you should honestly know
- Basic is non-exclusive: the same track can run on other channels. For a theme that belongs to you alone: an exclusive licence or a commissioned composition, on request.
- On YouTube a Content ID claim may appear; it is not a copyright strike. The claim stays on the video; your licence remains fully valid.
- Podcasting from Germany? The Artyfile licence carries no additional GEMA fee — it covers sync and master. Making the podcast available in Germany is the podcaster’s separate GEMA matter (tariff VR-OD 14, from €5 a month for small shows), as with any GEMA-registered music.
Sources
What is the best intro music for a podcast or YouTube channel?
The best intro music starts on the first beat, says what kind of show this is within a few seconds, and has a clean place to cut — so your voice can take over. A comedy show needs more energy than its first joke; an interview podcast needs warmth and space; a true-crime show needs tension before the first fact. Pick by format, not by genre: the matcher above maps nine show formats to the sound, the cut point and two tracks from this collection.
Three things separate a good intro track from a good song:
- An immediate start. No slow build. The first second is the most valuable second of your episode.
- A phrase end after 4 or 8 bars. That is your edit point — cut there, or duck the music under your welcome line.
- Room for a voice. Piano, electric piano, guitar and light percussion sit under speech; a dense lead melody fights it.
How long should intro and outro music be?
For podcasts, Buzzsprout recommends 15 to 30 seconds — longer and listeners skip. On YouTube, a few seconds are enough: viewers clicked for you, so put a title card on the first hit and get to the point. The short cues here are built for this: Soothe Your Soul runs 20 seconds, Branding Trailer Music 26, The Opener 32 and Talk Show 37 seconds — use them whole or cut the first phrase.
Your outro is best taken from the same recording: the closing bars under your sign-off, or the full cue under a YouTube end screen (the last 5–20 seconds of the video). Start and end then belong together, and your show becomes recognisable.
Can I use the same intro in every episode?
Yes. One Artyfile Basic licence (€29.90) covers the track as intro and outro in every episode you publish — past and future, on every platform, worldwide, with no expiry. There is no per-episode fee and nothing to renew. That matters more for an intro than for any other music: it runs in episode 1 and in episode 300. With a subscription library, episodes published while you subscribe stay covered, but new episodes after you cancel are not — so the subscription runs for as long as the show does. The table above shows what each source says in its own terms.
“Royalty-free” or “no copyright” intro music?
“Royalty-free” means you pay once and owe no fee per play — it does not mean free of copyright. Free “no copyright” intros usually come with conditions you meet in every episode: credit in every description, or a platform limit (NCS names YouTube and Twitch only; the YouTube Audio Library says nothing about podcast apps). A paid one-time licence removes both: no credit line, no platform limit, a certificate you can show a client or a platform.
Does a video podcast need a different licence?
The moment your podcast goes out as video — YouTube, Spotify video, social clips — the music is synchronised with picture, which needs a sync licence, not just audio rights. Artyfile Basic includes sync and master rights together, so the same intro works on the audio feed and the video version. More in why video podcasts need sync licences.
YouTube intros and Content ID — the honest version
Artyfile registers its catalogue in YouTube Content ID with a monetization policy. If the same intro runs in every video, each of those videos can receive a Content ID claim. A claim is not a copyright strike, and your licence stays fully valid; with Basic, the ad revenue claimed for the music goes to Artyfile, not to your channel. Content ID is a YouTube system — audio episodes in podcast apps are outside it.
If your channel lives from ad revenue, two options fit better: Limited Edition (€69.90 per 1 % master share — you participate in the recording’s worldwide Content ID revenue, including other creators’ videos, plus streaming and sync revenue; earnings depend on use and may be zero), or an exclusive licence or a theme composed for you via exclusive licensing or custom music, quoted on request.
An intro that only your show uses
Basic is non-exclusive: other creators can license the same track. For most shows that is fine — your voice and format make the intro yours. If the sound should become part of your brand, the next steps are an exclusive licence, an audio logo or a commissioned theme. For the music under the rest of your episodes, see music for podcasts and music for YouTube videos.
What you get for €29.90
- Intro and outro use in unlimited episodes and videos, worldwide, no expiry
- Sync and master rights in one licence, managed directly by Artyfile — no additional collection-society fee on the licence
- Your own shows and shows you produce for clients (the licence stays with you; your client receives the finished episodes with cleared music)
- 44.1 kHz WAV immediately, PDF invoice and licence certificate
- Edit freely: cut to length, use the opening as intro, the ending as outro, a section as a bed
Compare the options on the pricing page.
Cost comparison · buy once vs subscribe
Buy the tracks you use — or rent a whole library forever?
How many tracks will you actually use?
Same tracks, priced two ways
Artyfile — buy once
One-time · keep every track for life · reuse in unlimited future videos · safe everywhere
€149.50
one-time · yours for life
Subscription library
Recurring — only valid while you keep paying; stop and you can’t use the tracks in anything new
€432–€720 over 3 yr
recurring
“Free” / royalty-free
No upfront cost, but risk of a Content ID claim, no off-platform licence and nothing you own
€0
risk later
From €149.50 one-time — versus €432–€720 to rent. And every Artyfile track is yours for life.
Subscription figures are typical market ranges for the major libraries’ personal and commercial plans and vary by tier and term. Only Artyfile’s price is exact: €29.90 per track, one time, with sync + master cleared together — no extra GEMA fees, subject to YouTube Content ID rules.
Why Artyfile
Short cues, built to open
A 20-second jazz sting, two orchestral openers, band, pop and talk-show cues between 26 and 37 seconds — plus longer themes you cut to your length.
Pay once, every episode
Every past and future episode, worldwide, no expiry. No subscription you have to keep paying for as long as the show runs.
Podcast, YouTube, client
Sync & master rights directly from Artyfile — audio feed, video podcast, social clips and client work. A Content ID claim may appear; it is not a copyright strike.
Composed by people, never AI
Originals mostly by Paul Lorenz (500M+ streams, Gold & Double Platinum records) and David Whitman. 44.1 kHz WAV, PDF invoice and licence certificate instantly.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a podcast or YouTube intro be?
For podcasts, Buzzsprout recommends 15 to 30 seconds; longer intros make listeners skip. On YouTube a few seconds are enough — a title card on the first hit, then straight to you. The short cues in this collection run 20 to 37 seconds, so you can use them whole or cut after the first phrase.
Can I use the same intro music in every episode?
Yes. One Artyfile Basic licence (€29.90 per track, once) covers the track as intro and outro in every past and future episode, on every platform, worldwide, with no expiry. There is no per-episode fee and no subscription to keep paying.
What happens to my intro if I cancel a music subscription?
Libraries such as Epidemic Sound and Soundstripe keep content published during the subscription covered, but music in new content after you cancel is not covered — Epidemic says it results in copyright claims. Because an intro runs in every new episode, a subscription intro has to be paid for as long as the show runs. A one-time licence does not expire.
Can I use a few seconds of a famous song as my intro?
Not without a licence — there is no “10-second rule”. A famous song needs a sync licence from every publisher and a master licence from the label, negotiated individually. Even a short sting counts.
Will my YouTube intro get a Content ID claim?
It can. Artyfile registers its catalogue in Content ID with a monetization policy, so each video that uses the intro can receive a claim. A claim is not a copyright strike and your licence stays valid; with Basic, the ad revenue claimed for the music goes to Artyfile. Audio episodes in podcast apps are outside Content ID.
Can I use YouTube Audio Library or NCS music as a podcast intro?
The YouTube Audio Library page says nothing about use outside YouTube, and NCS names only YouTube and Twitch in its usage policy, with credit required in every description. A licence that names podcast apps, video and client work avoids that uncertainty.
Can I get an intro that only my channel uses?
Yes. Basic is non-exclusive, so others can license the same track. An exclusive licence or buyout of a recording, or a theme composed for your show, is agreed individually and quoted on request.
How loud should intro music be under my voice?
Apple asks podcasts for an overall loudness of about −16 LKFS (±1 dB) with a true peak no higher than −1 dBFS. Within that, keep the music well below your voice once you start speaking — duck it under your first sentence rather than stopping it dead.