Who Are We
Who are Universal Production Music?
Universal Production Music produces and licenses music for everyone from indie filmmakers to major TV networks and advertising agencies. Covering every genre, mood, and emotion, our global music library is your go-to for all media. With offices in 33+ countries, we provide tracks for film, TV, ads, gaming, radio, podcasts, apps, sustainable productions, and more. We’re part of Universal Music Publishing Group, and we’ve been in the music industry for decades. We’re here to provide you with the soundscape you need to enrich and complement the creative project you’re working on.
Are you part of Universal Music Group?
Yes, Universal Production Music is part of Universal Music Publishing Group and Universal Music Group. Together, our services span production and commercial music and licensing, audio branding, music supervision and bespoke tracks.
Who can use Universal Production Music?
Universal Production Music is designed for anyone creating professional content who needs high-quality, licensed music. Our catalog is trusted by film and TV producers, broadcasters, advertisers, agencies, brands, game developers, podcasters, and digital media producers worldwide.
All tracks are pre-cleared for global use, making it simple to license the right music for your project with confidence.
All tracks are pre-cleared for global use, making it simple to license the right music for your project with confidence.
Licensing & Costs
What is Universal Production Music licensing?
Universal Production Music licensing options vary, with each option ensuring that all of our tracks are ready to use in any type of media, anywhere in the world, and forever.
Our high-quality and versatile music library can be licensed through collection societies in certain territories or by directly contacting your local Universal Production Music representative.
With Universal Production Music, you can be confident in safely securing the necessary rights for your production. Check out our licensing options to have music licensing explained.
Our high-quality and versatile music library can be licensed through collection societies in certain territories or by directly contacting your local Universal Production Music representative.
With Universal Production Music, you can be confident in safely securing the necessary rights for your production. Check out our licensing options to have music licensing explained.
How much is a music license with Universal Production Music?
The cost of a Universal Production Music license depends on the type of license you need, for example, a single-track license, a blanket license for ongoing use, or a custom agreement for film, TV, or advertising, Pricing can also vary by territory and usage. To get an exact quote and explore the most cost-effective option for your project, please contact your local Universal Production Music representative.
How do I become a registered Universal Production Music user?
You can register an account on our website. After submitting your details, we will review your application for download access and then email you with further instructions. To obtain your sync license, please contact your local Universal Production Music representative for assistance. Once reviewed and approved, you will be able to use your Universal Production Music log in.
How to get copyright permission for music?
All of Universal Production Music tracks are created specifically for professional use in film, TV, advertising and any other media. It is a high quality, versatile and cost-effective option for your productions. Unlike commercial music, where you must request copyright permission from the rights holder, our music is pre-cleared for all media, worldwide in perpetuity. This means you don’t need to seek additional copyright clearance, you simply license the track via collection societies in some territories or directly through your local Universal Production Music representative.
How can my company, broadcaster, or agency set up a blanket license with Universal Production Music?
We offer blanket licenses that give your organisation unlimited access to our catalogue for a set period of time. This type of license is ideal for broadcasters, production companies, and agencies who need ongoing access to a wide variety of music. To discuss options and create a blanket licensing deal tailored to your needs, please contact your local Universal Production Music representative.
How can you license music for film?
Licensing music for your film with Universal Production Music is simple. Our entire catalog is pre-cleared for professional use, so you don’t need to chase copyright permissions or negotiate with individual rights holders. Instead, you can search our library, find the perfect track, and license it directly for use in your project.
We offer flexible options including single-track licenses, blanket licenses, and custom agreements, depending on whether your film is for cinema, broadcast, streaming, festivals, or online distribution. In some territories, licensing is handled via local collection societies, while in others you can license directly through your local Universal Production Music representative.
We offer flexible options including single-track licenses, blanket licenses, and custom agreements, depending on whether your film is for cinema, broadcast, streaming, festivals, or online distribution. In some territories, licensing is handled via local collection societies, while in others you can license directly through your local Universal Production Music representative.
Can you use copyrighted music in a film?
Yes, you can use copyrighted music in a film, but only if you have secured the correct copyright permissions and licences from the rights holders. This process can be complex and often costly when dealing with commercial songs, as you need both a synchronisation licence (to pair the music with visuals) and a master recording licence (to use the original recording).
With Universal Production Music, this process is simplified. Our entire catalogue is pre-cleared for film, TV, advertising, and online use worldwide, meaning you don’t need to negotiate copyright clearance separately. You simply license the track through us via local collection societies in some regions, or directly through your local Universal Production Music representative, and the music is ready to use legally in your film.
With Universal Production Music, this process is simplified. Our entire catalogue is pre-cleared for film, TV, advertising, and online use worldwide, meaning you don’t need to negotiate copyright clearance separately. You simply license the track through us via local collection societies in some regions, or directly through your local Universal Production Music representative, and the music is ready to use legally in your film.
Is a music license a legal requirement?
Yes, a music license is a legal requirement whenever you use copyrighted music in film, TV, advertising, or any other media. Without the correct license, you could face copyright infringement claims, takedowns, or legal penalties.
With Universal Production Music, licensing is simple because all of our tracks are pre-cleared for professional use worldwide. This means you don’t need to negotiate directly with rights holders; you can license music through us and be confident that your project is fully covered legally.
With Universal Production Music, licensing is simple because all of our tracks are pre-cleared for professional use worldwide. This means you don’t need to negotiate directly with rights holders; you can license music through us and be confident that your project is fully covered legally.
What music can I use for commercial use?
For any commercial use, such as advertising, branded content, film, TV, or online videos, you can only use music that is properly licensed for commercial purposes. Using copyrighted songs without permission is not allowed and can lead to copyright infringement claims or takedowns.
With Universal Production Music, you get access to a global catalog of high-quality tracks that are pre-cleared for commercial use worldwide. This includes options like single-track licences, blanket licences, alternate mixes, and stems, so you can adapt the music to fit your project while knowing it’s fully legal and ready to use.
With Universal Production Music, you get access to a global catalog of high-quality tracks that are pre-cleared for commercial use worldwide. This includes options like single-track licences, blanket licences, alternate mixes, and stems, so you can adapt the music to fit your project while knowing it’s fully legal and ready to use.
How do I license a song?
To legally use a song in film, TV, advertising, online video, or any other project, you need to obtain a music license.
With Universal Production Music, licensing is simple. Our entire catalog is pre-cleared for professional use worldwide, so you don’t need to contact individual rights holders. Instead, you can search our library, choose the track that fits your project, and license it directly through us via local collection societies in some territories or direct with your local UPM representative. We also offer flexible options such as single-track licenses, blanket licenses, alternate mixes, and stems, making it easy to adapt music to your production needs.
With Universal Production Music, licensing is simple. Our entire catalog is pre-cleared for professional use worldwide, so you don’t need to contact individual rights holders. Instead, you can search our library, choose the track that fits your project, and license it directly through us via local collection societies in some territories or direct with your local UPM representative. We also offer flexible options such as single-track licenses, blanket licenses, alternate mixes, and stems, making it easy to adapt music to your production needs.
What license is music for TV shows?
Music used in TV shows typically requires a synchronisation license and, in many cases, a master recording license. Securing these rights for commercial songs can be complex and often involves multiple copyright holders.
With Universal Production Music, the process is much easier. Our tracks are pre-cleared for broadcast and streaming use worldwide, meaning you don’t need to negotiate separate sync or master licenses. You can simply choose the music you need from our catalogue and license it directly through your local Universal Production Music representative or via local collection societies in some regions. This ensures your TV production has fully legal, professional-quality music without the hassle of traditional clearance.
With Universal Production Music, the process is much easier. Our tracks are pre-cleared for broadcast and streaming use worldwide, meaning you don’t need to negotiate separate sync or master licenses. You can simply choose the music you need from our catalogue and license it directly through your local Universal Production Music representative or via local collection societies in some regions. This ensures your TV production has fully legal, professional-quality music without the hassle of traditional clearance.
Can I use tracks worldwide, or are there regional restrictions?
Yes, tracks from Universal Production Music are pre-cleared for worldwide use across film, TV, advertising, and other media. This means you can confidently use our music in projects that are distributed internationally without worrying about additional copyright clearance.
In some territories, licensing may be managed via local collection societies, while in others you can license directly through your local Universal Production Music representative. Either way, once licensed, the music is cleared for global use with no regional restrictions.
In some territories, licensing may be managed via local collection societies, while in others you can license directly through your local Universal Production Music representative. Either way, once licensed, the music is cleared for global use with no regional restrictions.
How to get sync license for music?
A synchronisation (sync) license gives you the legal right to pair music with visual content such as film, TV, advertising, trailers, or online video. Normally, obtaining a sync license for commercial songs can be complex, as you need permission from both the songwriter/publisher and the recording rights holder.
With Universal Production Music, the process is simple. Our entire catalog is pre-cleared for sync use worldwide, meaning you don’t need to negotiate separately with copyright owners. You can browse our library, select the right track, and license it directly through your local UPM representative or via local collection societies in some territories. This ensures you have the sync rights you need, quickly and confidently.
With Universal Production Music, the process is simple. Our entire catalog is pre-cleared for sync use worldwide, meaning you don’t need to negotiate separately with copyright owners. You can browse our library, select the right track, and license it directly through your local UPM representative or via local collection societies in some territories. This ensures you have the sync rights you need, quickly and confidently.
What is the difference between a sync license and a master license?
A sync license and a master license cover two different sets of rights when using music in film, TV, advertising, or online content.
- A sync license is obtained from the music publisher or songwriter and gives you permission to pair the underlying composition (the melody and lyrics) with visuals.
- A master license is obtained from the owner of the sound recording (usually a record label) and gives you permission to use the specific recording of that composition.
If you want to use a well-known commercial track, you generally need both licenses. With Universal Production Music, all of our tracks are pre-cleared for both sync and master use worldwide, so you don’t need to negotiate separately with rights holders, you can simply license the music directly for your project.
- A sync license is obtained from the music publisher or songwriter and gives you permission to pair the underlying composition (the melody and lyrics) with visuals.
- A master license is obtained from the owner of the sound recording (usually a record label) and gives you permission to use the specific recording of that composition.
If you want to use a well-known commercial track, you generally need both licenses. With Universal Production Music, all of our tracks are pre-cleared for both sync and master use worldwide, so you don’t need to negotiate separately with rights holders, you can simply license the music directly for your project.
Is Universal Production Music copyright or royalty free?
Although we don't use the term 'royalty-free' or 'Universal royalty-free music,' our music can be licensed through collection societies in certain territories or by directly contacting your local Universal Production Music representative.
How can I find music with Universal Production Music?
Wondering how to find music? The Universal Production Music library consists of over 630,000 tracks across all genres and styles. Use our tracks in your movies, TV shows, ads, video games, interactive media, and more. We make it simple with our intuitive online search function which enables you to search for sounds or music by keyword, track title, composer, and lyrics. Click on the in-browser player to hear the tracks straight away. If you find one you like, just add it to your playlist or download it.
You can also explore our expertly curated playlists, collections and moods compiled by our team of global music specialists to find licensed background music that can resonate with every emotion of your brief.
What is Similarity Search?
Similarity Search is a tool which helps you find tracks that match the style and mood of your reference track. If you’ve heard something and thought it would be great for your product, check out our Similarity Search feature, powered by AI technology.
Simply type or paste a YouTube, SoundCloud, or Vimeo link to get started. Similarity Search listens to the track (or the part of the track you specify) to find the closest matches.
It's a quick way to find tracks in the Universal Production Music library that fit the feeling you're looking for.
How do I submit music to Universal Production Music?
To submit music for film and tv, contact your local representative to ask about Universal Production Music submissions and find out if the team accepts new talent.
How many tracks are in the library?
We have over 630,000 tracks in our music library across all genres, moods and styles.
What is the best quality music format?
The best format to download music for professional use is usually an uncompressed file format such as WAV or AIFF. These formats preserve the full audio quality, making them ideal for film, TV, advertising, and other high-end production work where clarity and detail are essential.
At Universal Production Music, all tracks are available in WAV, AIFF, and MP3. While MP3 files are convenient for smaller file sizes and quick previews, WAV and AIFF deliver the best quality music format for editing and final production.
At Universal Production Music, all tracks are available in WAV, AIFF, and MP3. While MP3 files are convenient for smaller file sizes and quick previews, WAV and AIFF deliver the best quality music format for editing and final production.
Downloading Music
Can I download music for Universal Production Music?
Yes, once you've registered on our website and have been provided with download privileges, Universal Production Music downloads can be made directly from our music library.
What music file formats can I download Universal Production Music?
You can download tracks from Universal Production Music in the most commonly used professional audio file formats: WAV, MP3, and AIFF. WAV and AIFF provide uncompressed, high-quality audio ideal for film, TV, and advertising production, while MP3 offers a smaller file size for quick previews or rough edits. This flexibility ensures you always have the right format for your project.
What if I have problems downloading files?
Contact your local representative if you're having issues downloading files.
Do you have a privacy policy?
Yes you can find our Privacy Policy here.
How do I download stems?
Click on the stems icon next to the track title in your search results, and a zipped folder with the stems will automatically download. If a track doesn’t display a stems icon, contact your local Universal Production Music representative, who may be able to provide them.
How do I change my music download format?
You can set your download preferences in your 'My Account' area. You can opt to default to a particular music file format or you can opt to 'show download pop up each time' so when selecting a track to download you will see the three different format options each time: WAV, MP3 or AIFF.
Can I get song cut-downs from UPM?
Yes. Many of our tracks are available in multiple lengths, such as full-length, 60-second, 30-second and 15-second variations. In addition, you’ll often find alternate mixes and stems, giving you even more flexibility to adapt the music to your production needs. When you click on a track in our library, you can sample and download any of the available versions, edits, or mixes. You can also filter your search by edit type, track length, or mix to quickly find the version that works best for your project.
How can I reset my password?
To reset your password, head to the login page and click the 'Forgot Password' button. You will be sent an email prompting you to reset your password.
Tools & Services
How do I access the free music supervision service?
Contact your local representative to get in touch with a music supervision expert.
I'm creating Cue Sheets, do you have a tool to help with this process?
Yes we offer the Cue Sheet Helper tool which saves time by automating your music reporting. Whether you use Final Cut, Premiere Pro, or Avid, simply upload your production files to Cue Sheet Helper and get an editable cue sheet instantly. This tool will identify the music you've used from our catalogue and suggest the correct track data.