Public Domain Audio
Public domain works are not protected by intellectual property laws and are free for you to use without permission. Some of these resources contain a mix of public domain and licensed materials--always check the specific license before using.
- MusOpenMP3 downloads for both Creative Commons licensed and Public Domain music.
- NASA MediaNon-copyrighted photo, audio, and video of NASA space flights, astronomy, and aeronautics.
- Public Domain Music from the Free Music ArchiveUse the search features on the left to search for specific moods, artists, and genres, and select the appropriate license.
- The Public Domain ProjectDownload thousands of historic media files for your creative projects. Registration required to download.
- Wikipedia SoundlistAll the public domain music found via Wikipedia and Wikipedia Commons. Primarily classical.
Creative Commons Audio
From the Creative Commons website:
"Creative Commons is a new system, built upon current copyright law, that allows you to legally use “some rights reserved” music, movies, images, and other content — all for free."
If you find music with a Creative Commons license, you must check the specific license to find out if and how you can use it.
- Creative Commons licensed music from BandCampTakes you directly to BandCamp music with CC licenses.
- Creative Commons Licensed Music from SoundCloudClick here to search SoundCloud for Creative Commons music.
- Creative Commons Guide to Legal Music For VideosSeveral sites offer music published under Creative Commons’ flexible copyright licenses.
- Free Music ArchiveInteractive library of high-quality, legal audio downloads directed by WFMU. Offers free downloads under Creative Commons and other licenses. Check licenses for individual tracks for permissions info.
- FreeSound"Freesound aims to create a huge collaborative database of audio snippets, samples, recordings, bleeps, ... released under Creative Commons licenses that allow their reuse."
- Creative Commons licensed sound from the Internet ArchiveCC licenses will vary; check the specific license used restrictions.
- MusOpenMP3 downwloads for both Creative Commons licensed and Public Domain music.
- Cylinder Preservation and Digitization ProjectCreative Commons licensed digitized cylinder recordings, primarily from the late 19th and early 20th century.
- Creative Commons SearchConvenient access to search services provided by other independent organizations for images with Creative Commons licenses. Creative Commons is a nonprofit organization that enables the sharing and use of creativity and knowledge through free legal tools. CC has no control over the results that are returned with this portal, so always verify that the work is actually under a CC license by following the link.
- JamendoThe world’s biggest free music library. Free and unlimited listening and downloads, ll with Creative Commons licenses.
- Europeana CollectionsOver 48 million "artworks, artefacts, books, videos and sounds from across Europe." Most with Creative Commons licenses.
- MobyGratisYes, that Moby. For non-profit use only. Signup required.
Sound and sound effects
Sources of sounds and sound effects for reuse. Be sure to check the license details for proper legal use.
- Freesound"Freesound is a collaborative database of Creative Commons Licensed sounds. Browse, download and share sounds."
- PacDV"PacDV has been producing royalty free sounds for filmmakers, sound designers, music producers, film students, and multimedia developers since 2001, and our sounds have been featured in a variety of independent films and videos, television programs, documentaries, commercials, games, radio shows, and new media projects. On this web site you find sound clips that we have decided to make available free for you to download."
- Partners in Rhyme"Free Sound Effects and Royalty Free Sound Effects." Be sure to check permissions.
- SoungleBe aware of any license or restrictions on use.
