If you’re a professional videographer, filmmaker, creator – whatever you want to call it – then you need to have a great demo reel. A demo reel is usually the first point of contact potential clients will have with your work. It needs to show off your skills with a camera to the best of your ability, but it’s not just the visuals that matter here.
If you want to create a great demo reel, you also need to think long and hard about what type of showreel music you’re going to use. The type of music you opt for will heavily dictate the feel of your showreel – what’s the emotional impact? Does it feel professional? It reflects who you are as a creative and a person, while also showing off your skills as an editor.
Choosing music for a demo reel comes with its own unique set of challenges, including the need for proper, legal licensing. We’re here to break it all down for you and simplify the process.
Where to Get Music for Demo Reels
If you’re on the hunt for demo reel music, you need to find a reliable platform or source with plenty of music options. For many filmmaking professionals, Musicbed has been the go-to source for years.
Our customers are offered a wide range of licenses, including custom options so that no matter what your specific needs are, your needs will always be met and, most importantly, you’ll always be legally covered and free to use the song as you wish. With over 60,000 high-quality song by over 1,500 established artists in our catalog, you’ll always be able to find the perfect showreel music.
Why the right showreel music is important
Choosing the right music for demo reels is crucial because in setting the tone and style, which will enhance the overall impact of the reel. Here’s why it’s important:
Emotional Connection. We all know how music has the power to evoke emotions. The right track can amplify the emotional resonance of your work, making the visuals much more compelling. If your showreel showcases dramatic, intense scenes then a powerful, orchestral score might be appropriate. For lighter, more playful reels, an upbeat, rhythmic track could work better. It really depends on how you want viewers to feel when they watch.
Pacing and Flow. Music dictates not just emotion but the rhythm of your reel. A well-matched track can guide the pacing, ensuring that transitions between clips feel natural and dynamic. Fast-paced music is going to create a sense of urgency or excitement, while slower music can evoke thoughtfulness or tension.
Cohesiveness. Your showreel likely contains a variety of clips from different projects. Your choice of music really helps to tie these diverse elements all together, creating a cohesive narrative or mood throughout the reel. It’s a unifying thread that connects different visual styles and themes.
Professionalism. It’s worth remembering that the right music choice demonstrates your attention to detail and your understanding of how sound and visuals work together in film. It reflects your ability to curate and edit content in a way that feels polished and intentional, which is crucial when you’re trying to impress potential clients or employers.
Memorability. A well-chosen track should make your reel more memorable. You want it to reflect who you are and stand out from the crowd, leaving a lasting impression on the viewer.. Catchy, impactful music will stick in someone’s mind long after they’ve finished watching your reel.
Can You Use Any Music in Demo Reels?
Using music for demo reels requires a license. When creating your new showreel, using unlicensed music poses significant legal risks. Music has and always will be protected by copyright laws, so any unauthorized use can lead to legal action from the rights holders. This includes fines, removal of content and in some cases even lawsuits. Even if the showreel is for personal promotion or non-commercial use, copyright infringement can still apply because it involves distributing someone else’s work without their permission.
To avoid these issues, filmmakers always need to obtain the proper licenses for any music included in their showreel. This usually involves securing either a synchronization license, which allows pairing music with visual content (as offered on Musicbed), or using royalty-free music, where the rights have already been cleared for use. When you acquire these licenses, you ensure that you have legal permission to use the music, which protects you from potential lawsuits (including hefty fines).
Beyond the legal aspects, obtaining the proper licenses reflects your professionalism and attention to detail. Using licensed music demonstrates respect for the work of other creators and shows a commitment to producing high-quality, legitimate content. It also ensures that the showreel can be shared freely across platforms without the risk of being taken down for copyright violations, which could limit its reach and effectiveness for your business.
Single Song License for Demo Reel
Demo Reel or Showreels require a promotional license, which is listed as the Small Business, Business, or Custom license type options. Which one applies to you basically depends on how many employees your business has. When you’re determining the employee count for this, it should be the global employee count of the brand/business publishing the video, including all full and part-time employees.
How to Choose Music for Demo Reels
Choosing the right music for a showreel is a crucial part of the project as it sets the tone and enhances the impact of the visuals. There are three main things to consider.
Mood
The music choice should reflect the overall emotional tone you want to convey in your showreel. If your reel is filled with dynamic, high-energy clips, an upbeat, driving track can help to amplify that excitement. For the more dramatic or serious footage, a slower, more atmospheric piece will be a better fit. Matching the music’s emotional tone to the visuals goes a long way in determining how the audience feels about your work, reflecting your skills and understanding as a filmmaker.
Tempo
The tempo of the music should complement the pacing of the visuals. So fast-paced music works well for reels with quick cuts, action sequences or intense movement, while a slower tempo gives room for more reflective, thoughtful moments. Syncing up those key beats or changes in the music with transitions or visual highlights helps in creating a more cohesive and engaging experience.
Genre
Again, the music genre should align with the style of the work being showcased. For instance, electronic or hip-hop tracks may suit modern, urban-themed visuals, while classical or orchestral pieces might work better for more elegant or cinematic content. Always consider your audience and the type of projects you’re aiming to attract; the genre you select should resonate with them.
When it comes to the editing of your showreel where you’re matching the music to those visuals, think about how the rhythm and dynamics of the track align with your footage. Pay attention to the key visual moments—the camera movements, cuts, or action sequences—and try to sync them with shifts in the music, like a beat drop or crescendo. The music should always support and enhance the storytelling, but not overshadow it and become the main event. By carefully matching the mood, tempo, and genre of the music to the tone and rhythm of the visuals, you’ll be well on the way to creating a seamless and compelling showreel.
Showreel examples
Take a look at some of our favorite showreel examples over the past year and think about how the music plays a key role in each.
Wrapping up
Using licensed music in showreels is vital to avoid legal risks and ensure professionalism, as unlicensed tracks can lead to penalties and content removal. The right music enhances the emotional tone, pacing, and cohesiveness of the reel, making it more memorable and impactful for potential clients. To choose the best track, consider the mood, tempo, and genre that match your visuals.
Platforms like Musicbed offer a wide range of licensed tracks, and securing proper licensing – whether through synchronization or royalty-free options – is going to protect you from legal issues while demonstrating respect for creators and attention to detail. Get started today!
