What an intro is for
An intro tells the listener they are in the right place, sets the tone and gives a brief moment before the first word. It is not a trailer for the episode, and it should not make people wait.
- Length: usually five to fifteen seconds of music before or under the opening line.
- Tone: calm and serious for a banking show, lighter for a creative one.
- Consistency: the same sound in every episode.
- Room for the voice: music that is busy at the top competes with speech.
Library music or custom music
Library music is composed in advance, so it is quick, and other shows may use the same track. Custom music is written for you and can be unique, but takes more time.
How the music is mixed
Music is placed under the voice at a level that keeps speech clear, then lowered when speaking begins. A good mix lets you hear the intro start and the voice begin without any jump in volume. See mixing and mastering.