As educators and students continue to create more multimedia content than ever before, it is often difficult to locate music, either for backgrounds or to serve as the basis of a remix or mashup.  This week’s Web 2.0 Weekly features ccMixter, a repository of music files licensed under various Creative Commons licenses for just that purpose.

Strengths:

• Wide variety of musical genres represented
• Able to search by Creative Commons license types
• No need to register to download

Weaknesses:

• Some hosted remixes and music may include inappropriate content (many, if not all, of these are marked, however)
• Need to note restrictions placed on music files by various iterations of Creative Commons license to ensure compliance

ccMixter is of interest to anyone creating podcasts, movies, or other multimedia content and in need of music.  It is also of use to anyone who is creating music remixes or mashups.  To make use of ccMixter you will need an Internet-connected computer and software that can make use of MP3-format audio files.

ccMixter is free to use and only requires registration to access the ability to leave reviews, create playlists, and upload your own music.