There are numerous collections and CD's available on eBay, but here is a company (eBay store) that has some of the lowest prices and greatest selection:

http://stores.ebay.com/Radio-Direct

For $10 + $5 shipping, you can purchase legitimate, legal "buy out" music, with a license that clearly states you can use it in synch with TV or Film, and for commercial purposes. They have lots and lots of dance/hip-hop oriented music -- even a few "Workout Groove" discs. There should be plenty you can find there to meet your needs.

I think they sometimes have sales for as low as $5 a disc, and you used to be able to buy collections as a download (no shipping), but apparently eBay has put the brakes on selling downloadable files, and now requires a physical media (disc) to be shipped for all listings (or at least I thought I read that somewhere).

While I am also a big proponent of the very generous composers and musicians that make Creative Commons works available, you need to check each selection very, very carefully. Many of them state that they cannot be used for commercial projects -- i.e. you cannot use the music for anything that will be sold.

I would think it would be well worth the $15 to be completely in the clear about the licensing of music that you'll use in a commercial product.

Tim L

Thanks Tim and Ulf! I think you guys just saved me about 30 hours of sifting through the web!

This is a good one I've used:
http://www.revostock.com/

edit: And a hell of a lot cheaper than most other options. I got an excellent 8min track for $10 with full rights :-)

Here's a couple to look through -

http://incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/

http://www.redferret.net/pmwiki/pmwiki.php

I think you guys just saved me about 30 hours of sifting through the web!

Great... This is what is so good about this community, we can all lear from eachother and save eachother some time once in a while :-)

/Ulf

Free classical music. I used a piece just recently.

www.musopen.com

Greg

if you want something really unique, try asking on:

http://www.versusmedia.com/

i've had some really good stuff for next to mothing

leslie

www.mobygratis.com

www.mobygratis.com

Yes, that was the link I couldnt' remember when I replied. It's an ok site I think.

/Ulf

Or, you could take a look at a program like Cinescore. More money upfront, but will save you money in the long run. Also, it allows you to custom-fit the music to your scene(s).

Cinescore is great. Also in the cheap category would be stock20.com where you can buy on a per-song basis for just a few bucks.

David,

I was reading the Stock20 FAQ. Some funny stuff in there. I like a company with a sense of humor about itself.

http://www.stock20.com/commerce/index.php?main_page=page_7