Free Music On Hold Options

Many companies hope to find a free music on hold solution, rather than using unlicensed content, or paying for custom on hold productions or royalty free music on hold tracks.  In our page detailing the music on hold radio, we discuss why it is in fact not a free music on hold option.  Aside from not being free music on hold, we also discussed how undesirable it is from a standpoint of radio reception and its uncontrolled content.

Hoping to avoid some of the issues with music on hold radio usage, some companies think they can use cds or mp3s as a free music on hold option.  However, like music on hold radio usage, using any mainstream music (even when you purchased it on iTunes or Amazon), requires the payment of licensing fees to Performance Rights Organizations such as ASCAP, BMI or SESAC.  Who you pay the licensing to depends on which particular Performance Rights Organization represents the artist(s) you wish to play on hold.  Unfortunately, like the music on hold radio usage, playing mainstream music on hold cds or music on hold mp3s is not a free music on hold option.

Finally, in the search for free music on hold content, some companies seek out music that may be in the public domain.  Like using a music on hold radio or unlicensed music on hold cds or music on hold mp3s, music in the public domain may not be the free music on hold option it appears to be.  Even when the music itself is free, the recorded performance that you obtain of the music is copyrighted by those that performed it.  Frequently, those performers are again represented by Performance Rights Organizations.  Aside from the potential music licensing pitfalls with public domain music, by its very nature such music is not particularly contemporary, and often not ideal for music on hold use.

Royalty free music on hold content, or on hold productions from legitimate on hold companies do a much better job at conveying a professional image, and maximizing the benefits when callers need to be placed on hold.  Still have more music on hold questions not covered on our site? Visit our “Ask The Music On Hold Expert” page and post your question online!