This article covers where you can obtain music files/content to upload to your Live365 library. 

Live365 customers supply the media to program their station(s) on the Live365 network. Our broadcasters can source their audio content from multiple places, and we'll cover some of those in this article. The only media that Live365 provides is advertising and occasional PSAs.

 

Note: You must have purchased a copy of the audio material that you intend to use. You cannot use bootleg copies, as per the DMCA agreements. The licensing we provide fully covers listening for the US, UK, and Canada.


Note: You cannot use music from digital streaming services such as Spotify, Tidal, YouTube or Apple Music due to their terms of service. Since you do not own these files, airing them on your Live365 station is not recommended.


Physically owned content 


You can create MP3 copies of CDs or vinyl records you own by using programs such as iTunes or File Explorer. We created a quick guide on how to convert CDs to MP3 files: How do I convert my music to MP3s?


Digital Free Services


Digitally owned content


Here are additional resources that you may want to research. Keep in mind that not all sources are free. In most cases, there is a minimum monthly subscription fee. 


Original Content


You can also use audio recordings that you’ve created yourself, whether they are music or just talking. There are endless possibilities of content that you can create, but all tracks must be in MP3 or M4A formats if you intend to use them with Live365.


Independent artists


If you want to use music from independent artists that are not covered by Performance Rights Organizations or Sound Exchange, you will need to obtain written permission from the artists directly. These audio files will also need to have accurate metadata inserted so that the Artist's Name and Song Title are displayed to the audience, and royalties are covered.


Please ensure that all of your uploaded tracks have accurate metadata. You can read about how to achieve that here. 


Note: It is up to the individual broadcaster to do their own research. Some reputable sites may have terms that do not cover public or streaming performances.


Note: Downloading music for free or paid from disreputable sites (i.e., pirating) is not only illegal; it's unethical. There are a multitude of them all over the internet, many from foreign countries. Even common sites like YouTube with millions of songs, would not be legal to rip audio for broadcast.

As of 2018, musicians generally receive only 12 percent of revenue from online sales. Support the musicians who make the music you love by purchasing or obtaining from sources legally.