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Podcast background music during podcast conversations seems like it could add production value and create an atmosphere. But it’s actually one of the worst things you can do for your show.
Who comes to the episode to listen to the background music? The constant musical bed playing underneath conversations can become a distraction, especially in an audio format where listeners are primarily focused on the dialogue. Here’s an example of a podcast with background music.
Background music forces listeners to concentrate harder to understand speech, and this additional strain on the cognitive load can make long-form content more tiring to consume and might trigger listener fatigue faster. The end result is often reduced episode retention and engagement. After all, the audience comes for the content being spoken, not a constant musical backdrop.
Also, keep in mind that many listen to podcasts at 1.5x or 2x. How will the audio sound?
Podcast background music and production value
With over 4 million podcasts available, production value has become a key differentiator. Poor audio decisions, including mismatched or distracting background music, can drive listeners away before they even give the content a proper chance. As competition increases, the bar for audio quality keeps rising.
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Some podcasters make the mistake of playing music too loudly behind conversations, which immediately marks a show as amateur. Volume levels often end up inconsistent throughout episodes, forcing listeners to constantly adjust their devices. Some shows select music that clashes with their tone or fails to transition between segments properly. Perhaps most dangerously, using copyrighted music without proper licensing can create serious legal issues.
Background tracks can easily compete with voices when microphone levels aren’t perfectly balanced between hosts and guests. What’s meant to enhance the listening experience instead makes it harder to focus on the actual content.
Before implementing any background music, thorough testing could help. Listen with different headphones and speakers to understand how the mix translates across devices. Especially with spatial audio now available, this becomes more important than ever. Also, test in various environments like cars or during workouts where many people consume podcasts. Getting feedback from test listeners can provide valuable insights about whether the music enhances or detracts from your content.
Theoretically, that sounds like a good idea. Testing is usually good. But practically, is it even worth it? It sounds like a lot of work to test something that many podcasts don’t do to begin with, and they are still publishing episodes.
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Music in general on podcasts
Music can enhance your show at specific moments like countdowns, intros, outros, and transitions between segments.
Brief musical breaks between major topics can also work well. Podcast music is like seasoning – use it sparingly to accent key moments rather than drowning out the main dish. Your content and conversations should be compelling enough to stand on their own without constant musical accompaniment.
Your music selection contributes significantly to your show’s overall sound brand. The tracks should reflect your podcast’s personality while maintaining consistency across episodes. Good music choices help listeners instantly recognize your show while supporting rather than overshadowing your content. This audio identity can enhance your show’s professional image when used strategically.
How to add background music
If you want to add music at appropriate moments like intros, outros, and transitions – or background if I haven’t convinced you not to – Restream’s editor offers an easy solution. Within the editor, you’ll find a variety of music styles and tracks to choose from that can enhance these specific segments of your show.
Using AI for podcast music
AI music generation tools have emerged as another option for podcasters seeking background music for their shows.
These platforms can create royalty-free tracks on demand for countdowns, intros, outros and transitions. Many offer various styles and moods to match your podcast’s theme. While AI-generated music can be a cost-effective solution for getting custom tracks, I would still not use it as background music the entire episode.
When choosing music, consider the tempo and energy level of each track and its emotional impact on listeners. Ensure the genre aligns with the show’s style while meeting all commercial licensing requirements. Aim for unique and memorable pieces that won’t be heard on other podcasts – especially podcasts in the same category. The goal is enhancing the content without overwhelming it.
Good podcast production focuses on clear audio that lets the content shine. Save the background tracks for elevators and hold music. Your podcast deserves better than constant musical interference competing with the valuable discussions you’re sharing with your audience.