Frequently asked questions

15 topic(s) found in category “Audio customers” :

What is Standard Audio?
What is Pump Audio?
What's the best way to search for specific audio tracks?
Is the audio preview an accurate representation of the final full quality audio file?
What file format are iStock audio files licensed in?
When I download a loop-able audio comp why doesn’t it loop properly?
Are your audio loops loop-able without the need for editing?
Can I scale the bit rate or sample rate up or down?
What if I can't find an audio file with the exact content I am looking for?
Can I use an iStock audio track in a public performance or broadcast?
What is a cue sheet and when do I need one?
What is a performing rights organization (PRO) or society?
If I use a Pump Audio track in a public setting and I fill out a cue sheet, will I ever have to pay further royalties on the use of that track?
What is bit depth?
What is sample rate and what does it have to do with the two audio file formats sold on iStockphoto?

Top What is Standard Audio?

Standard Audio is a collection of high-quality, affordable royalty-free tracks for multiple use worldwide. Read the Standard Audio Content License Agreement for more details.

Top What is Pump Audio?

Pump Audio is a collection of full-length tracks by indie artists and they are licensed on a single-production basis (i.e., one movie or television show). The number of times you can broadcast the production is unlimited. You may also need a cue sheet. Read the Pump Audio Content License Agreement.

Top What's the best way to search for specific audio tracks?

Finding audio is best done through the iStockphoto's Advanced Search. The Advanced Search audio section has intuitive tools allowing you to search by: tempo, key, time signature, file size, price, musical genre and keywords.

Top Is the audio preview an accurate representation of the final full quality audio file?

Yes. While the audio preview is slightly lower quality than the final file, it should be easy to hear the nuances of the full audio file.

Top What file format are iStock audio files licensed in?

All iStock audio files are 16-bit WAV files because WAV is one of the most universally accepted audio formats.

Top When I download a loop-able audio comp why doesn’t it loop properly?

This situation only affects watermarked comps, not the full WAV loop tracks. Without getting into the boring details, the MP3 file format is built in 1152 sample chunks. If the audio does not fit evenly into 1152 sample chunks then a small amount of silence is added to compensate.

Top Are your audio loops loop-able without the need for editing?

The iStockaudio collection has two types of audio loops: those that don’t require editing and those that do.

Loop-ready files: these tracks are loop-able without editing. These files have the keyword “Loop-ready File”.
Many of our files can loop but require some editing. For example, a loop that is sandwiched between a start and end section – these files include the keyword “Loopable Elements”.

Top Can I scale the bit rate or sample rate up or down?

Yes. The files that we sell at iStock are industry standard for final audio file quality. However there are instances where a higher quality audio file is used. In these cases the files can be up-sampled with little detriment. Also, many situations require a smaller file size. Using high quality iStock audio files as a source for lower file sizes produces excellent results.

Top What if I can't find an audio file with the exact content I am looking for?

Try posting a request in the audio forum. If the request is not too complicated, chances are you won't have to wait long before the audio track appears. Be specific so that contributors know what it is you want, such as length, instrumentation, tempo, key and musical genre.

Top Can I use an iStock audio track in a public performance or broadcast?

Yes you can. Check out the Standard Audio Content License Agreement and the Pump Audio Content License Agreement for details. Generally though, you will be required to complete a cue sheet for Pump Audio tracks.

Top What is a cue sheet and when do I need one?

A cue sheet is a form to list music that is subject to public performance royalties. If you are using Pump Audio tracks for any production that will be publicly performed (i.e., in a film or production for broadcast on a television network or a radio station) you will need to fill out a cue sheet so artists can receive performance royalties. Sign up with Pump Audio to create a cue sheet that will save you time because they auto-populate most of the Pump track information. You will have to copy and paste the Pump track ID # from the top of your file details page under the file title, into the cue sheet.
You are not required to use a cue sheet for Standard Audio tracks.

Top What is a performing rights organization (PRO) or society?

A PRO refers to a Performing Rights Organization/Society; they may have a different designation in varied countries around the world. PROs are responsible for collecting royalties for musical audio that is played or performed in a public setting. Generally if a piece of music is played in a public venue (i.e., bar, shopping mall, restaurant, internet, concert, phone hold system, radio, TV, etc.) then royalties are paid to a PRO, which then distributes these royalties to the rights holders.

iStock only accepts audio tracks from approved sound artists who are not members of a PRO or other collective rights organizations. This is the only way in which we can ensure that iStock musical works are royalty-free.

Pump Audio artists are associated with various PROs. Using Pump Audio will require you to fill out a cue sheet if used for any public performance.

Top If I use a Pump Audio track in a public setting and I fill out a cue sheet, will I ever have to pay further royalties on the use of that track?

A cue sheet is used by performing rights organizations to ensure that artists are being properly compensated for their work. Depending on your use of a Pump Audio track, this track may be subject to additional payments to performing rights or other collection societies.

Top What is bit depth?

iStock only accepts audio that has a bit depth of 16. A bit depth refers to an audio file's loudness resolution. The higher the bit depth the higher resolution a audio file has in terms of its dynamic range. 16-bit audio is the same level of quality that is heard in a standard music CD.

Top What is sample rate and what does it have to do with the two audio file formats sold on iStockphoto?

iStock only accepts audio that is at a sample rate of 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz. Sample rate is the number of times an audio source is sampled per second as it becomes a digital signal and it is measured in hertz.
44.1 kHz is the most common sample rate used for CD-quality audio.
48 kHz is the most common sample rate used for audio synced with video.

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