White Bat Audio
White Bat Audio is composer Karl Casey's synthwave label. His music is free for YouTube videos, live streams, games and podcasts, and monetization is allowed as long as you credit 'Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio'. YouTube Content ID automatically checks your description for that credit.
TL;DR
Streamers and YouTubers who want free retro synthwave and horror music and don't mind adding a credit line. Where you can use it: Twitch unconfirmed, YouTube safe with steps, TikTok unconfirmed, Instagram unconfirmed, Kick unconfirmed. You must credit it.
Where is White Bat Audio safe to use?
Based on White Bat Audio's own license terms, checked October 2026. “Copyright-free” on one platform doesn't mean safe everywhere, so we check each one.
- Safe
- Safe with steps
- Not allowed
- Not confirmed
| Twitch live streams | Safe The FAQ lists 'live streams' as allowed with credit. It also warns that Twitch's copyright detection is 'overly sensitive', so add your credit before you publish. |
|---|---|
| Twitch VODs, clips & highlights | Not confirmed White Bat doesn't say if its tracks are in Audible Magic. Its FAQ admits Twitch's detection can flag music, so a VOD mute is possible. |
| YouTube videos & live streams | Safe with steps Allowed and monetizable, but the music has YouTube Content ID that reads your description. No credit in the description means a claim (not a strike). If you get claimed anyway, use the claim form. |
| TikTok | Not confirmed Not named. The allowed uses listed are films, animations, YouTube videos, live streams, games and podcasts. |
| Instagram Reels & Live | Not confirmed Not named in the license or FAQ. |
| Kick | Not confirmed Kick isn't named, though 'live streams' in general are allowed. |
White Bat Audio at a glance
- Price
- Free
- Free option available
- Catalog
- Large synthwave library
- Credit
- Required
- See how to credit below
- Contains
- No AI music
Genres
- Synthwave
- Retrowave
- Darksynth
- Horror
- Sci-Fi Ambient
Company
Karl Casey (solo composer, originally from Canada, now based in France); founding year not stated
Includes
- Free music pack
- Paid music packs
- Custom music
- Bandcamp, Spotify and Apple Music releases
Which plan you need
No subscription and no channel limit. The free license with credit covers YouTube videos and live streams. Paid packs (EUR 9 to EUR 129) are aimed at indie games and films.
Can you monetize?
Yes. The FAQ says monetized projects are allowed, and the license says you can still monetize YouTube videos that use the music. You can't re-upload the music itself with monetization turned on.
How to credit White Bat Audio
Put 'Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio' (you can add the song title) in the text of your project. On YouTube it MUST be in the video description, because the claim system only reads the description. On Twitch, add it before you go live, for example in a panel or your stream info.
Content ID, claims, and VOD mutes
Yes, on YouTube. White Bat turned on Content ID detection on May 31, 2024 (per a YouTube community post). It checks your video description for the credit and only issues claims, never strikes. If you are claimed with the correct credit, submit the claim form at https://claims-form.glide.page/dl/whitebataudio. Never tick 'Turn on Content ID matching' on your own upload that uses this music.
Not sure how claims, strikes, and mutes differ? Read our DMCA guide.
Watch out for
- Credit must be in the YouTube description, not just on screen, or you get auto-claimed
- Twitch detection is 'overly sensitive' per White Bat's own FAQ, so VOD mutes aren't ruled out
- Don't record vocals or rap over tracks and release them on Spotify or other streaming services
- Can't sell or release your soundtrack separately, or re-upload the music with monetization
- Using the music to train AI is banned
- Big film or game projects need separate permission (karl@whitebataudio.com)
White Bat Audio FAQ
Is White Bat Audio safe to use on Twitch?
Yes. Live streams: The FAQ lists 'live streams' as allowed with credit. It also warns that Twitch's copyright detection is 'overly sensitive', so add your credit before you publish. VODs and clips: White Bat doesn't say if its tracks are in Audible Magic. Its FAQ admits Twitch's detection can flag music, so a VOD mute is possible.
Will White Bat Audio music get my YouTube videos claimed?
Yes, with conditions. Allowed and monetizable, but the music has YouTube Content ID that reads your description. No credit in the description means a claim (not a strike). If you get claimed anyway, use the claim form. Yes, on YouTube. White Bat turned on Content ID detection on May 31, 2024 (per a YouTube community post). It checks your video description for the credit and only issues claims, never strikes. If you are claimed with the correct credit, submit the claim form at https://claims-form.glide.page/dl/whitebataudio. Never tick 'Turn on Content ID matching' on your own upload that uses this music.
Can I use White Bat Audio on TikTok, Instagram, or Kick?
TikTok: Not confirmed. Not named. The allowed uses listed are films, animations, YouTube videos, live streams, games and podcasts. Instagram: Not confirmed. Not named in the license or FAQ. Kick: Not confirmed. Kick isn't named, though 'live streams' in general are allowed.
Is White Bat Audio free?
Yes, there is a free option. Pricing: Free. No subscription and no channel limit. The free license with credit covers YouTube videos and live streams. Paid packs (EUR 9 to EUR 129) are aimed at indie games and films.
Do I need to credit White Bat Audio?
Yes. Put 'Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio' (you can add the song title) in the text of your project. On YouTube it MUST be in the video description, because the claim system only reads the description. On Twitch, add it before you go live, for example in a panel or your stream info.
Can I monetize content that uses White Bat Audio?
Yes. The FAQ says monetized projects are allowed, and the license says you can still monetize YouTube videos that use the music. You can't re-upload the music itself with monetization turned on.