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In the changing world of film and advertising, music is crucial in creating a memorable experience for audiences. Part of implementing music in film and ads is sync licensing. Synchronization is the process of pairing music to visual media, like video or animation. Sync (short for synchronization) licensing is the legal and contractual side of that pairing. By securing the rights to use specific music tracks or scores, filmmakers and advertisers can ensure their projects connect well with viewers, while also making sure rights-holders are compensated and credited appropriately for their work.

This process is not just about adding background music arbitrarily; it’s about selecting the right sound that matches well with the visual story being told. It is essential for crafting a compelling viewing experience. As the demand for high-quality music in media grows, sync licensing companies have become important parts of the industry, providing music for licensing to meet the needs of creative projects.

The Evolution of Music Licensing

Understanding sync licensing requires a quick look back at the history of music licensing in general. Initially, music licensing was a straightforward process, mainly to do with performing rights of music tracks. However, as media evolved, so did the need for more complex licensing arrangements.

What began as a simple transaction has transformed into a complex industry that includes sync licensing as a critical component. This evolution was driven by the increasing integration of music into various forms of media, from television shows to online ads.

Today, sync licensing is an integral part of the creative process, allowing filmmakers and advertisers to legally use music that enhances their projects. By collaborating with sync licensing companies, creators can access a wide array of music tracks, ensuring their projects have the perfect soundtrack to captivate audiences.

Importance of Sync Licensing in Film and Ads

In the world of film and advertising, music plays a crucial role in strengthening the emotional impact of the content. Sync licensing is essential because it allows filmmakers and advertisers to legally use music tracks, ensuring that their projects connect more with audiences. This process involves licensing companies that work closely with filmmakers and advertisers to provide music legally and with as little red-tape as possible.

These companies collaborate between artists, composers, and media producers. They ensure that the right music is paired with the right visual media, making a stronger experience for viewers. The significance of music in visual media is well documented and can be explored further in resources like The Importance of Music in Film and TV | Raindance.

Sync licensing companies streamline the process by:

  • Offering a library of music tracks that can be licensed for use in films and ads.
  • Facilitating negotiations and agreements between music rights holders and media producers.
  • Ensuring that all legal aspects of music usage are covered, protecting both the creators and the users.

Benefits of Sync Licensing for Artists and Media Producers

Sync licensing offers shared benefits for both artists and media producers. For artists, it provides an opportunity to reach a wider audience and gain exposure. For media producers, it improves their projects by adding good music that elevate the overall production value.

Some of the key benefits include:

  • Increased Exposure: Artists can have their music featured in films and ads, reaching audiences they might not otherwise access.
  • Revenue Generation: Sync licensing deals can provide artists with a steady income stream through licensing fees and royalties.
  • Enhanced Project Reach: Media producers can use well-matched music to enhance the emotional impact of their projects, making them more memorable for viewers.

Real-world examples of successful sync licensing deals can be found in resources like Successful Exclusive Licensing Examples – FasterCapital. These examples illustrate how strategic partnerships can benefit all parties involved, making sync licensing a valuable tool in the creative industry.

Choosing the Right Synchronization License

Selecting the right synchronization license is important for the success of any media project. It makes sure the chosen music fits well with the visual content, making the overall effect stronger. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a synchronization license:

  • Project Scope: Consider the size and scale of your project. Larger projects may require more comprehensive licenses, while smaller ones might benefit from more focused options.
  • Budget: Determine how much you are willing to spend on music licensing. This will help you narrow down options that fit within your financial plan.
  • Intended Audience: Understand who your audience is and what type of music will resonate with them. This can guide your choice in selecting tracks that align with audience preferences.
  • Type of Media: Different projects, such as films, TV ads, or online content, may have varying licensing needs. Tailor your license choice to fit the specific media type.

By carefully evaluating these factors, you can choose a synchronization license that best supports your creative vision and project goals.

Conclusion: Elevate Your Project with Sync Licensing

To conclude, sync licensing is an important part of the film and advertising industries. It ensures the legal use of music, enhances the emotional depth of visual media, and gives shared benefits to artists and media producers. To elevate your project, consider exploring the services offered by Level 77 Music. Their expertise in music placement and sync licensing can help you find the perfect soundtrack to bring your vision to life. For more information on how to license music for professional use, visit Level 77 Music’s guide.

 

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Skyline Production Music may be new, but it’s already making an impact in the production music world. Founded by Publisher David Séchan and Composer/Producer Gérard Gueudin, Skyline is backed by over 30 years of combined expertise and a shared passion for music. What started as a friendship between two industry veterans has grown into a forward-thinking music catalog that’s turning heads across the globe. Skyline combines creative excellence with professional experience, setting a new standard in production music from their home base of Paris, France.

A Dynamic Collaboration with Level 77 Music

The partnership between Skyline Production Music and Level 77 Music is built on shared vision, respect, and creative synergy. In 2024, Skyline began seeking U.S. sub-publishers to expand its reach. For Skyline, however, this partnership is about more than expanded reach. It’s about working with a company that shares their commitment to creativity, excellence, and personal service. For Level 77, Skyline brings fresh, international diversity to their roster, enriching their clients’ experience with new genres and styles.

Discover the Skyline Production Music Catalog

Skyline Production Music provides high-quality, versatile tracks tailored for creative professionals across industries. Their diverse catalog includes cinematic scores, electronic beats, ambient soundscapes, and more, all designed to enhance storytelling and evoke emotion. With a commitment to innovation and industry expertise, they deliver music that transforms projects and helps clients stand out. At Skyline, the music is crafted to inspire, support creative visions, and leave a lasting impression.

Level 77 Music partners with creators to deliver high-quality soundtracks that elevate storytelling across film, advertising, gaming, and more. Through a collaboration with Skyline Production Music, they offer a boutique, international catalog featuring cutting-edge tracks. Focused on personalized service and innovation, Level 77 Music combines passion, expertise, and adaptability to help creators find the perfect sound for their vision—together.

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The world of music is constantly evolving, but some compositions manage to break through the noise with their unique beauty and emotional depth. One such album is Systems, a stunning collection featuring the string quartet Invoke, known for their performances at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall, Lincoln Center, and NPR’s Tiny Desk.

The Essence of Systems

Systems is not just an album; it’s a musical voyage that captures the intricate and mesmerizing patterns found in nature and the universe. From the rhythmic ocean currents on coral reefs to the vibrant pulse of urban environments and the celestial rotations of the cosmos, this album is designed to accompany breathtaking visuals and epic storytelling.

Invoke’s live orchestral performances seamlessly blend with ambient synthesizers, pianos, and driving percussion. This combination expands simple musical patterns into dynamic crescendos, creating an immersive and emotional experience for the listener. Whether you’re looking for music for documentaries, music for film and TV, or licensed music for advertising

 

Meet Invoke

Invoke is a genre-defying, multi-instrumental string quartet known for blending classical, folk, bluegrass, Americana, and other styles into a unique contemporary repertoire. They have held prestigious residencies, won numerous competitions, and performed at renowned venues like Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Invoke is also dedicated to educational outreach, conducting workshops and masterclasses nationwide. Their innovative approach and artistic excellence continue to break boundaries and resonate with diverse audiences. To read more about Invoke visit their site here

 

 

 

The Composer Behind the Magic

The genius behind Systems is composer Will Van De Crommert. Known for his ability to craft emotionally charged and evocative music, his use of ambient synthesizers and pianos, driving percussion, and live orchestral elements results in an intricate and expansive soundscape.

Will’s music has been featured in numerous film, TV, and commercial productions worldwide, from Saturday Night Live to the Soho and Sedona International Film Festivals. His compositions have appeared in programming for NBC’s Peacock, Netflix, Hulu, CBS, and BET. Will is known for his versatile blend of classical and popular influences, making him a go-to composer for directors, producers, and creative agencies. His film scores have been featured in movies distributed by Saban (a Lionsgate partner), FilmRise, and Gravitas Ventures. End of the Rope, his latest feature, premiered in California at LA’s historic Chinese Theater.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perfect for Visual Storytelling

Systems offers many opportunities to enhance visual storytelling for music supervisors, documentarians, film and TV creators, and content creators in advertising. Whether you’re capturing the awe-inspiring beauty of nature or the hustle and bustle of city life, this album provides the perfect soundtrack to elevate your narrative.

For more information on how to license music from Systems, contact us today and bring your storytelling to life with unmatched musical quality.

 

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Level 77 Music is excited to announce that eight of our tracks were chosen to be placed in the 2024 Rose Parade, a long-standing tradition that brings together thousands of viewers and showcases some of the most incredible floats and performances in the world. A large part of the broader Tournament of Roses, we are thrilled to be a part of such an esteemed event.

The tracks selected are diverse in sound and genre, ranging from upbeat and lively to more mellow and contemplative compositions. Each track showcases the talent of our award-winning composers, producers, engineers, and songwriters.

 

For those unfamiliar with our work, Level 77 Music is a boutique, independent production music company focusing on innovation and creativity. We bring a fresh new sound to the world of music licensing and exploring musical concepts that challenge traditional boundaries and ideas of what production music can be. Our team of seasoned professionals has decades of experience, and our music has been featured everywhere from the big screen to the smartphone.

To listen to the tracks showcased in the Rose Parade, please click the link here. Whether you want to pump up the energy or unwind after a long day, we have a track for every mood.

We are incredibly proud to have been chosen to participate in the 2024 Rose Parade and look forward to sharing our music with the world!

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Digital streaming platforms (DSPs) have transformed not only the way people listen to music, but the way artists earn income from their listeners. While platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Tidal provide a low-cost entry point to distribute and monetize music with global reach, making money on these services can be complicated. As a result, many artists are missing out on their fair share of streaming revenue. Here is how artists get paid from music streaming platforms:

 

  • Direct streaming – DSPs operate primarily on a per-stream payout model whereby artists/labels receive a small sum for each stream of one of their tracks. The payout per stream varies per platform but usually ranges between $0.003 and $0.008. In general, the more streams an artist generates, the higher their payout. However, many factors influence streaming revenue, such as region, play time, and user behavior. Artists need many streams to generate a reasonable income.

 

  • Mechanical royalties – These are royalties paid to songwriters for the use of their compositions by streaming services. DSPs typically pay mechanical royalties to Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) that collect and distribute them to songwriters. PROs like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC, monitor millions of streams to ensure songwriters receive their fair share. It is essential for artists to be registered with a PRO to collect mechanical royalties.

 

  • Licensing agreements – Some artists undertake the daunting task of negotiating direct licensing agreements with streaming platforms to bypass major labels and distribution services like TuneCore. These agreements usually require significant negotiation and legal background, but have the potential to offer more control and lower commission fees.

 

A final note: clean and well-organized metadata is essential for digital music distribution. Metadata is the information embedded in a digital music file or an online platform that identifies it based on unique information like release date, artist name, album title, cover art, composer, copyright, and distribution information. DSPs have music distribution guidelines that need to be followed, and they usually require accurate metadata to verify the artist’s identity and audio playback correct information.

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The Choose Georgia event showcases why filmmakers should choose Georgia as their filming location. It featured presentations that discussed why Georgia is an ideal place for filming projects with its diverse locations, production infrastructure, talent pool, and competitive incentives programs.

As a proud Georgia-based company, Level 77 Music was honored to sponsor this year’s Choose Georgia event at Sundance Film Festival. Our CEO, Patrick Avard, and Senior Film Composer Mark Kueffner were both in attendance and had the opportunity to network with other industry professionals from all over the globe. Patrick Avard said, “It was an exciting experience attending Choose Georgia at Sundance Film Festival 2023! We were able to meet some incredibly talented people who are passionate about bringing their visions to life onscreen and equally passionate about growing the film industry in Georgia.”

The success of events like Choose Georgia demonstrates how vibrant and forward-thinking Georgia’’s film industry is becoming. With access to competitive tax incentives, diverse landscapes across the state for filming locations, and a growing talent pool behind the scenes, it’s no wonder many filmmakers have chosen Georgia. We look forward to seeing more films come out of this great state!

 

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There are a lot of things happening in the company that we can’t wait to share with you, but here is some great news that we can deliver right now! We are proud to announce that we have signed an agreement with Vivid Pop, a young label focused on music for ads, TV, film and other media. As the exclusive sub-publisher worldwide for the up-and-coming label, we couldn’t be more thrilled to be representing industry stalwarts Dan Luedke and Stephen Helvig, who founded the company.

Minneapolis-based Vivid Pop has 13 albums to their credit. Each of their releases has been thoughtfully composed and meticulously produced, running the gamut of contemporary sounds through dance, pop, and rock. They make top-notch dramatic and tension-filled film scoring and underscore work as well. Helvig is a producer, engineer and writer with a dozen years of serving local artists in the always-diverse Twin Cities music scene, while Luedke’s work as a guitarist and writer has seen his music featured around the globe, and on the likes of CBS’s Thursday Night Football and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.

We asked them what they were most looking forward to about being involved with the company:

“We are thrilled about the new partnership and feel like Level 77 is a great fit for the Vivid Pop catalog,” says Luedke. “Both our companies are young, but Level 77’s leaders are experienced, well-connected and have a proven track record of success in the industry, so we have the utmost confidence in them and look forward to growing together.”

 

Vivid Pop’s catalog lends formidable diversity to our catalog, especially for film scores and TV. The synergy between us stands to produce exciting soundscapes for a vast array of projects.

“We are so honored to be working with top-tier composers such as Dan and Stephen,” says Level 77 Music Executive Producer, Jason Rudd. “Their label will elevate our Level 77 product offerings!”

The best part? You can find their tracks RIGHT HERE and right now live at Level 77 Music! 

 

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At Level 77 Music, we have always believed that music is a powerful tool to help people emotionally connect on a level that cannot be replicated without it. Finding a way to leverage the perfect song to develop the right emotional response to a production piece is a critical skill. Whether we are working with a podcast, a YouTube video, a television show, or a feature-film, getting a track that prompts an emotional response is essential to telling the right story. Here are a few things to keep in mind when seeking out the right music:

The Power Of Sound

Songs are, by definition, expressions of emotional experience. Listeners often have visceral and primal responses to a track, and these can cover a wide range of the emotional spectrum. Whether it makes you laugh, cry, angry, or crazy, having a variety of musical sources available to accomplish this in your project is critical.

Music And Memory

Music is also powerfully tied to memory. The way that you feel the first time you hear a song often returns to you upon subsequent listening, which is why music from your childhood can bring swells of emotion when you least expect it. This response is almost exclusively based on the experience of the listener, rather than the content of the music. Happy songs can make you sob, sad songs may make you smile, and that paradox is largely dependent on the time and place of your initial experience with them.

As a content creator, knowing how to choose or create music that can place someone in a particular emotional headspace is a crucial aspect of telling your story in the most effective and compelling way possible.

How Level 77 Can Help

Our goal as a company is always to empower our end-users with the sonic tools they need to express their creativity as they choose. We make music that elicits an emotional response, and this is largely influenced by the type of content with which it is paired. You can find pieces in our catalog that work well in any creative context. Don’t know where to start? Reach out and let us help.

We are constantly producing new and cutting-edge tracks that can transform a listener’s experience. With our extensive and ever-growing libraries, you will always be able to find something new and interesting. Think about the mood you are trying to elicit in your current project, and let us help you take your audience there and beyond.

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Doug DeAngelis is a producer, engineer, composer, and music supervisor who entered the music industry as a teenager. Today, he is recognized as a global thought leader for the music industry. His professional career began at 18, as a programmer and engineer on the groundbreaking Nine Inch Nails album, Pretty Hate Machine. Spawning thirty-one singles that reached #1 on the Billboard Dance Charts, his work with the trailblazers of dance music shaped the trajectory of EDM in America. He has also pioneered independent song production and placement in television and film; the industry practice now termed sync. In addition to writing over 3,000 pieces of music for television and film, Doug is the co-founder of leadership groups like A3E and BlackSleeve Media. His goal is to develop new technology capable of applying the monetization practices of the video game industry to the music industry. Doug was kind enough to sit down with Level 77 Music to discuss his vision for music supervision, television, film, and business.

How did you get your start in music and specifically music supervising?

I began in music as a young kid who was fascinated with synthesizers and sound. I fell in love with the sound of the early 80s, and spent my teens in bands, before attending Berklee College of Music as a Music Synthesis major. My career began as an engineer/producer in Boston and New York City, where I was heavily immersed in electronic music, remixing, rock, and pop music. I had the great fortune of working on some amazing records with popular artists, and ultimately moved to Los Angeles to continue as a record producer.

When I moved to LA, there was a TV show called Next Big Star that was looking for a “music person”, and I was recommended to the Executive Producer. My role was to produce all of the music, and also act as the Music Supervisor for the production. It was the first of the performance/talent shows in America, before American Idol and the rest that would soon follow. I had never worked on a TV show, and this was trial by fire. But after choosing and producing hundreds of songs over the first season, TV became my home. I found a unique role in Hollywood as a person who could write, produce, and music supervise at the same time. I did that on dozens of shows throughout the next 15 years.

Did you have to have any formal training to become a music supervisor?

I think like most things in entertainment, the best formal training is getting on a job, and learning as quickly as possible from the people who are the best in the business. It normally happens that way whether you are becoming a director, or writer, or music supervisor. Humility, passion, and big ears are the most important thing in learning these crafts. I had the great fortune of learning about music clearance from Evan Greenspan at EMG. He is the OG of music clearance and still a major player in it today. He was my mentor from my first show, and we still work on shows together now.

What advice can you give musicians and composers when pitching their music?

The number one piece of advice I teach all my students: if you have the perfect piece of music, then send it. If you don’t have the perfect piece of music, just say “I don’t have what you are looking for this time.” Musicians often make the mistake of sending ‘the closest thing’ they have in their catalog, or a bunch of songs they wrote, even though they aren’t exactly what the supervisor requested. Their thought is that the music supervisor will be impressed with the quality of the music, and remember to come back to them next time, or maybe the supervisor will love the music so much that they will change their mind and go with a different sound for the scene. This is crucial music industry advice for those aiming to succeed.

Unfortunately, the message it sends to the supervisor is the exact opposite. It actually implies that the musician either doesn’t understand music, or can’t hear the difference between what was requested and what they submitted, and ultimately it wastes the music supervisor’s time and takes them off of that supervisor’s trusted resource list. You will gain respect from that music supervisor if you don’t waste their time, and in turn they will remember to call you again next time.

Can you share any secrets on how you go about searching for the perfect song for a scene? How do you know when you’ve found it?

The perfect song for a scene elevates the emotion, and focuses the viewer on the dialogue, the story points, and the characters. The goal with music is not to draw the viewer’s attention to the music, but to make their emotional state heightened and make the scene more impactful. Songs and underscore do that in many different ways. Some are obvious, but in a more nuanced way, I try to create an emotional connection between the environment, people, or time period of the scene to the viewer’s real life experience.

Music is extremely powerful in shifting your mindset and making you connect in a personal way. If you can make the viewer relate their life experiences to the song, and have that song be the connective tissue to the characters, then the storyline becomes personal and highly emotional to the audience. I am also always looking to capture the feel of the cinematography, and editorial style of the picture, as well as guide the heart rate of the viewer. Do I want the viewer to feel relaxed? Do I want them to be caught off guard? Do I want their emotional state to be getting more intense gradually with the scene? Music can guide all of those things without being noticed.

How do you balance the need for custom music versus licensed cues when you are supervising a project?

It used to be purely a budgetary issue, but now most of the networks and major streaming outlets have blanket deals with the large libraries, so the expectation on a reality show, special, or docuseries is usually to stay within those catalogs for the show. If there is a music budget, it opens the door for custom music to be created, or published songs to be licensed for the special moments that call for lyrics or need a song for creative reasons. This balance is a key aspect of music supervision.

Custom music is more critical when you need something to feel like popular music, but have a situation that requires some unique musical parameters. For instance, combining two genres of music for creative reasons, or needing specific tempo shifts that you wouldn’t find in a licensed song or library track. So for the most part, we are dividing the musical needs into groups based on the discussions that happen in the spotting session with the showrunner or director.

What advice do you have for someone who’s aspiring to become a music supervisor?

There are two sides to the job. Creatively, I would say that understanding filmmaking, and the specific needs of the characters are really critical. The dialogue tells the story, and the music needs to get under the surface, and emphasize the core reason the scene is happening. It also needs to solve any number of problems in the edit, like story point clarity, environment changes, time shifts, character relationships, etc. So, knowing a lot of music is great, but understanding the filmmaking process, and how to make the story and the characters come to life is the art of music supervision. For those looking to become a music supervisor, this understanding is essential.

Administratively, the music supervisor plays a huge role as well. Organization and people skills are critical. You’ve got music that needs to be 100% clear for airing on TV, and a very short time to make it happen. Building great relationships with labels and publishers, time management, and back up plans are the essential survival tools!

Is there anything else you’d like to add for our readers?

If you want to learn more about the craft, please check out the blogs on my site, Soundtrack Production. There is some good info there, and I will be offering an online course again soon for people who are interested in a career in this field.

Thank you to Doug for sitting down with us. His innovative take on the interaction of music and visual media has transformed the television and film industries, and we cannot wait to see and hear his next projects!

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Music is the universal language. It’s a critical element in any multi-media endeavor that transcends borders and nationalities to create harmony, melody, and rhythm. As a producer, you want to be able to fully leverage the power of music to inspire and connect with people. However, to do that you need to understand the fundamentals of how music works, and how your potential audience perceives music. Just thinking about songs you like is not going to be enough to create viral content that draws views and impressions. There are themes working behind these songs that can be harnessed to extend the power of your project to new markets, and to individuals who originally may not have been interested in your content. So how can you pick the right songs to really help make your production a trending sensation?

Consider Your Audience

Genre targeting is a central element to the success of these music streamers. However, this powerful tool for harnessing music’s potential is not the exclusive domain of the big-name music platforms. You can also use genre targeting to pick the perfect track for your own project. However, to emulate the memorability and reliability of the major platforms you need to ask yourself a few key questions.

               Who is my target audience?

               What sort of music appeals to that demographic?

               How do I want them to feel?

By starting with these three questions you can begin to whittle down the options. If your content is directed towards baby boomers, you don’t want to include a lot of hip-hop or rap. Similarly, if you are targeting millennials, a classic rock track might be a poor fit. Common music genres include reggae, rhythm and blues, rock, hip-hop, classical, blues, jazz, and country. Once you have identified the broad genres of music that will appeal to your target demographic it is time to start thinking purposefully about the music.

What Role Will Music Play?

The music in a project can serve several different purposes. Perhaps it is background music meant to change perceptions about the content on the screen, or add energy and suspense to a moment. If the production is intended to educate the audience about a product or process, using a subtler track is appropriate. If it is a promotional or advertising video, you probably want more dramatic music. Knowing the general tone of the music, and the job that music will be doing will help you narrow down your search through a music library.

How Genre and Purpose Intersect

Now that you have identified your target demographic, decided on a style that appeals to that group, and settled on the general tone of the music in your content, it is time to start looking through music libraries. There are a lot of options out there. To simplify, consider the three major types of production music: pop music, production music, and royalty-free music.

Pop music is the music you hear on Spotify. It enjoys greater recognizability, but is also more expensive, and the timetable to get permission to use those tracks can be over a year. Royalty-free music is music which artists have made available at no cost, but the options are limited, and the best tracks may be used by several other competing products in your market. Production music is music that has been created to meet the needs of content creators, with an expedited timeline and at significantly lower cost than pop music.

If you are using royalty-free or production music, it may help to think about a pop song or style that would appeal to your demographic and serve the overall theme for your work. Production music libraries like Level 77 Music are vast, often with tens of thousands of tracks, so knowing how to narrow your search down quickly will help immensely. Sometimes these companies will have custom music arms. For example, Level 77 Music is known for making custom music pieces for companies looking to brand their company with a specific track that only they have access to. By knowing your audience’s needs and the emotion you’re wanting to evoke, the perfect track can help take your content to the next level! 

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