How to add music to a video
Adding the right music to a video can make the difference between a mediocre final product and an exceptional one. The right soundtrack can create the perfect atmosphere for your video and capture the audience's attention more effectively.
In this article, we'll show you how to add music to your video using various online tools and video editing software. We'll also provide some tips on how to choose the right music for your video and how to perfectly synchronize your soundtrack with the visuals on screen.
How to Choose the Right Music for Your Video
Before you start looking for a song to add to your video, it's important to understand what kind of atmosphere you want to create. If you're making a promotional video for a product or service, you may want to use an upbeat and lively song that encourages the audience to buy what you're selling. If you're creating an emotional documentary, you may prefer a slower and more melancholic song that helps convey deep feelings.
Additionally, make sure the music is appropriate for your target audience. For example, if you're creating a video for kids, choose a fun and age-appropriate song for your viewers.
- Choose a song that fits the atmosphere of your video
- Make sure the music is appropriate for your target audience
Choosing the Right Music
The choice of right music for your video is crucial in creating the desired atmosphere and capturing the audience's attention. Here are some tips on how to choose the right soundtrack:
1. Consider the tone of your video
Before choosing the music, consider the tone of your video. If you're creating a funny video, you might opt for an upbeat and rhythmic song. If you're creating an emotional video, it may be more appropriate to use a slower and more melancholic song.
2. Choose the right atmosphere
Think about the atmosphere you want to create with your video. Do you want it to be romantic? Carefree? Dramatic? The choice of music can significantly influence the overall atmosphere of your video.
3. Choose a song with or without lyrics?
In some cases, songs without lyrics may work better because they don't distract from the visual content of your video. In other cases, the lyrics of the song can add meaning to your message and enhance its emotional impact.
4. Use YouTube's Music Library
If you don't already have a song in mind, you can use YouTube's Music Library, which offers a wide selection of free tracks to use in your videos. You can filter results by genre, mood, and duration.
5. Choose the right length
Make sure the chosen song has the right length for your video. If your video is short, you might opt for a song that's less than 2 minutes long. If your video is longer, you may choose a longer song or use multiple different tracks.
- To recap, here are some tips on choosing the right music for your video:
- Consider the tone of your video
- Choose the desired atmosphere
- Decide if you want a song with or without lyrics
- Use YouTube's music library
- Select the appropriate song length
Purchasing or downloading music
There are several options for obtaining music to use in your video. You can purchase it online or download it from free websites.
Purchasing music
If you want to use a famous song or one from a specific artist, the best option may be to purchase a license for the song. This way, you will have legal rights to use it in your video without risking copyright violations.
You can purchase the license directly from the artist's website or platforms like iTunes, Amazon Music, or Google Play Music. The price varies depending on the popularity of the song and the license terms.
Downloading music for free
If you don't need to use famous songs and are looking for free music, there are several websites that offer free downloads of musical tracks.
- Jamendo: offers a vast library of free musical tracks with different categories to choose from.
- Souncloud: is a platform where artists can upload their musical creations and users can listen and download them for free.
- Incompetech: the site offers a collection of free musical tracks that can be used commercially.
However, it's important to keep in mind that most of these songs are under Creative Commons license, which means they can only be used in certain ways and with some restrictions. Be sure to carefully read the terms of use before downloading any free musical track.
Adding music to the video with editing software
If you want to professionally add music to your video, we recommend using an editing software. These programs allow you to edit both the video and audio precisely and in detail.
Choose the appropriate editing software for your needs
There are many editing software options on the market, both free and paid. Some of the most popular are Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro X, iMovie (for Mac), and Filmora (for Windows). Before choosing which software to use, consider your needs and level of expertise in using the program.
Import the video and music into the editing software
After selecting the editing program, import both the video and audio track you wish to use for your project. Usually, you can do this simply by dragging the files into the timeline of the software.
Align the audio track with the video
Once you've imported your files, align the audio track with the video. This will ensure that the music syncs perfectly with the visuals. You can do this using editing tools within your software or by manually moving the audio track on the timeline.
Adjust the volume of the music relative to the original sound of the video
To make sure your audio track blends harmoniously with your video, it's important to adjust its volume appropriately. The music should be loud enough to hear clearly but not so loud as to drown out the original sound of the video.
Add sound effects and transitions to enhance listening experience
If you want to make your listening experience even more engaging, you can add sound effects and transitions to your audio track. These elements can help create a more intense and immersive atmosphere for viewers.
- Sound effects: You can use sound effects like background noise, echoes, and reverbs to create a sense of depth and realism.
- Transitions: Transitions can be used to smoothly move from one scene to another. There are many different options available, such as fade-ins/fade-outs or crossfades.
Conclusion
In summary, adding music to a video is an essential element in creating an engaging and memorable experience for your audience. There are several options available for finding the perfect music, such as using online music libraries or creating original music.
It's important to choose a track that fits the tone of your video and evokes the desired emotions in your audience. Additionally, be mindful of copyright issues and only use licensed or royalty-free music.
Finally, don't forget to balance the volume of the music with the voice and sound effects of your video to ensure a balanced audio experience for your audience.
- Remember that choosing the right music can make all the difference between an average video and an extraordinary one.
- Experiment with different genres and tracks until you find the perfect fit for your video.
- Use available online tools to simplify the process of finding and selecting music.
In short, by following these tips, you'll be able to create engaging and emotional videos that leave a lasting impression on your audience. Never underestimate the importance of music in creating your videos.
Michael Anderson - Software Engineer
My name is Michael Anderson, and I work as a computer engineer in Midland, Texas.
My passion is sharing my knowledge in various areas, and my purpose is to make education accessible to everyone. I believe it is essential to explain complex concepts in a simple and interesting way.
With GlobalHowTo, I aim to motivate and enrich the minds of those who want to learn.
