Library Music is a cost effective alternative to commissioned music, and if you are on a tight budget this may well be a practical solution, even for a filmscore. There are however a few important matters to be aware of and to consider:

Even though you might find something in a music library that could suit your production, chances are your audience already heard that same library music associated with another product or presentation. And it will be used time and again in various productions, turning your project from original and unique to somewhat pastiche.

If your project requires uniqueness or cinematic impact you should consider a commissioned score. It is a well known fact that a good music score brings true dimensions to a film and makes a production come alive and stay unique.

1. -When it's all about making a production stand out - If your project is original so should your music be!
   

Putting music to picture is not just a matter of finding sounds and beats to different moods. It's about finding that sublevel view on what will work for your film, through all its stages, and applying it with care. Music and Film is a symbiosis - as fragile as it is powerful.

An experienced composer can supply exactly what you need - not a close approximation of what you wanted. You can rely on the score fully complementing your production in a way that could never be done using off the shelf recordings of various quality. And because it is an original composition you don't need to worry about other productions or companies using the same music.

For any critical project the right music can make all the difference towards success. For style, quality and uniqueness there is simply no substitute as to go original and commission a score!

Most of todays music libraries are huge, consisting of up to a hundred thousand tracks, often only a few of them good. As anyone person (regardless of prior experience) can contribute to these libraries, the quality varies immensely. As many filmmakers have experienced while searching through these libraries, different tracks rarely have the same treatment, ambience or quality to one another. Therefore, trying to blend separate tracks in an attempt to ’build a filmscore’ habitually results in various problems, where the end product often suffers in quality. Sometimes along with the audience.

It is a difficult and very time consuming task to try to find those special tunes and passages that you need for your project. Even more so to have them fit and blend with each other. It is important that the ambience and body blend of a filmscore make sense within itself. That different filmcues relate to each other throughout a film and in relevance to the cinematic story. That’s how for example a lead theme in a good score may reoccur in many different shapes and tones as the story progresses.

At STL we are dedicated to excellence and the composition of original music is at the core of our business. At the same time we are aware that a commissioned score might not be the most practical solution for everybody and therefore we also produce our own music library. Our offering of high-quality production music and sound effects available for licensing through Soundtrack Lab, at very affordable rates.

Our Music Library is a growing catalogue of some 4000 quality titles, everything from Orchestral Filmscores to Soundscapes and Background ambience. As we also record and develop our own sound effects our library holds a vast sound base with everything from cinematic SFX and sound design to background layers and nature ambience. HD Quality Only !

Each music track and sound design have been produced and carefully designed for its purpose. Most tracks are also part of a larger music score. Making it easy to mix and blend in different tracks with other related passages - as they complement in texture and share the same production quality. In addition, we can always 'open up' any existing track and re-mix it in all different directions to make it fit perfectly.

This way we feel we can cater for every budget and any size of project and still be able to maintain the highest standard possible.

We work within any budget to cater for your needs in the most cost efficient way possible. Customized to match any project size, budget and timeline requirements with the highest standard.

However, to be able to determine what solution works best for a particular project we do need some adequate information. Therefore the simple good thing is to just contact us. We will get back to you within very short with a quote.

We also cater for music for small short films, corporate video, presentaions, web streaming, events and live applications.

No project is too great or small - we offer quality solutions for all !

The fees paid to a composer commissioned to score a film vary enormously depending upon such factors as the reputation of the composer, the overall scale and budget of the film, the amount and complexity of the music required, and the number of discrete units of music to be used. The composer may also be responsible for supervising the production of the master recording. Some contracts provide for separate fees for writing the music and production of the master recording. Other contracts provide for a single fee for both tasks and still others provide for all costs of producing the master to be borne by the film producer. Whichever way it is structured, the fee paid should cover each separate activity adequately.

While the general rule of thumb is for the cost of music (including writing, rights and production) to account for about seven percent (7%) of the overall budget (except in relation to films with a heavy emphasis on special effects or costume dramas), indications are that the music budget for some projects account for a smaller percentage of the total budget.

Our work range span various from the big screen to indie short films - from global brands to local businesses.

Whichever production type there are a few basic ways to acquire music for a film or any media project:

1: Custom Music
You can commission an original music score. Tailor made for your project by a dedicated screen composer. Often the professional choise, a bit more costly but always with outstanding results. Much suitable for cinematic projects, filmscores or identity related products and presentations.

2: Library Music
You can buy ready made tracks from our production music library. A cost effective solution suitable for smaller projects or presentations where uniqueness might be of less importance. Perhaps as background music beneath a voice over etc.

3: Mix Solution
Sometimes a healthy mix of both library and custom music can be the perfect solution. Combining the right feel and texture of ready made library music with a few new compositions, adding the same style and overall ambience to the gene pool. This way we can maintain the same standards of a commissioned score but to lower costs. Suitable for film or bigger cinematic projects on a compromised budget.

Wether you consider a commisioned score, library music or something in between - we start with a brief or a meeting. We want to fully understand your project and vision. Whether it be ambient background layers, a garage-rock track, jazz blues or a fully orchestral filmscore, our goal is simple - music that perfectly complements your project. If it's required you can also screen a video sample of your project - in return we can share a demo on our thoughts before you decide any further.

We do most of our work over the internet using our Client Folders for filesharing - it's fast, efficient, secure and easy - making working over a distance or to short deadlines really simple. You can keep track of the progress, on a daily basis.

If you need some changes or edits these can be instantly implemented. Finally after you are satisfied with the music, we will master it and deliver the finished product to you together with a license for you to use the music. At all stages of the production process are we open to any suggestions that you might have. If you think edits are needed after completion, these can be done quickly and efficiently. And if you feel that your project needs a personal meeting this too can be arranged.

Feel free to send us an email if you have any questions or queries at all !

Per Lindestroms vag 112

12146 Johanneshov

SWEDEN

USA - (+1) 415-830 6151

Europe - (+46) 08-519 70710

Australia - (+61) 03-9010 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (+61) 03-9010      end_of_the_skype_highlighting 5045