- Rachel Bistricer
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Figuring out how to add music to videos can seem tricky. What song should you choose? How do you avoid copyright strikes? And how do you make it sound good without being a professional sound engineer? However its actually simpler than you think. This guide will show you how to find the perfect track, edit it into your project and understand how to create a professional video that sounds as good as it looks.
TL;DR: How to add music to videos
Giving your video a soundtrack is a quick way to make it more professional. Here’s the short and sweet guide to doing just that.
Step | Action | Why it matters |
01. Find the music | Choose a track from a royalty-free library. | Avoids copyright issues and fits the video's mood. |
02. Pick your video editor | Select a video editor like Wixel with audio features. | Gives you the software to combine audio and video. |
03. Import your files | Add both your video clip and music track. | Gets all your assets into the project. |
04. Place the music | Drag the song onto the audio timeline. | Layers the soundtrack underneath your visuals. |
05. Adjust volume | Balance music with any spoken dialogue. | Ensures viewers can hear everything clearly. |
06. Export and share | Save the final video with the combined audio. | Creates a single file with your complete project. |
How to add music to videos in 6 steps
Follow these six steps to give your video the soundtrack it deserves.
01. Choose your soundtrack
Before you open any video editor, you need to find the right song. The music you choose should match the energy and emotion of your video. For example, a high-energy electronic track is great for a product launch, while a soft acoustic melody works well for a sentimental story.
Most importantly, you need to have the rights to use the music. You can't just grab a popular song from Spotify. The best approach is to use a royalty-free music library. These services offer thousands of tracks you can legally use in your videos for a small fee or subscription. and then this protects you from copyright strikes that could get your video taken down from platforms like YouTube.
02. Select your video editor
You’ll need a video maker that can handle both video and audio tracks. Most modern video editors make this process straightforward. You can use anything from the built-in apps on your phone or computer to more advanced desktop software.
For a process that combines simplicity with powerful features, a video editor like Wixel is an excellent choice. It lets you easily manage multiple audio layers, which is helpful if you’re balancing music, dialogue and sound effects. Pick a tool that allows you to see your audio waveform, as this visual guide makes editing much easier.
03. Import your video and music
Once you’ve opened your video editor, it’s time to bring in your files. Use the Import or Add Media function to load both your finished video clip and the music file (usually an MP3 or WAV file) you downloaded. In most editors, you can also just drag and drop the files directly into the media library or onto the timeline.
04. Add the music to the timeline
Your editor’s timeline is where the magic happens and it should have separate tracks for video and audio. Drag your video clip onto the main video track. Then, drag your chosen music file onto an audio track directly below the video.
You’ll see the music appear as a new layer, often with a visual representation of its sound waves. You can now move the audio clip left or right to decide where the music starts. Maybe you want it to kick in right at the beginning, or perhaps you want a few seconds of silence before the beat drops.
05. Adjust the audio levels
This is a crucial step that many beginners skip. If your video has someone speaking, you don’t want the background music to be so loud that it drowns out their voice. — this is called audio ducking.
Find the audio level controls for your music track and lower the volume during any parts where there is dialogue. The music should be a subtle background element, not a distraction. If your video has no talking, you can keep the music at a more prominent volume. Also, consider adding a short fade-in at the beginning of the song and a fade-out at the end to avoid abrupt starts and stops.
06. Export your final video
Watch and listen to the entire video from start to finish to ensure everything is synchronized and balanced correctly. If you're happy with the result, it's time to export.
Save your project as a single video file, usually in the MP4 video format. The editor will combine your video and audio tracks into one seamless file. Your video now has a professional-sounding soundtrack and is ready to be shared with the world.
Learn more:
How to add music to videos FAQ
What's the difference between royalty-free and copyright-free music?
Copyright-free music (also known as public domain) is music that is not protected by copyright and can be used by anyone for any purpose. Royalty-free music is protected by copyright, but you can purchase a license that gives you the right to use it in your projects without paying ongoing fees (royalties). Most stock music sites offer royalty-free tracks.
How do I edit a song to fit the length of my video?
If your song is longer than your video, simply use the trim tool to cut the end of the audio clip so it matches the length of the video. Add a fade-out to make the ending sound natural. If the song is too short, you can either loop it (repeat it) or try to find a longer track. Some advanced tools even have AI features that can automatically remix a song to a specific duration.
Can I add more than one song to a video?
Yes, you can. You can place multiple audio clips on the same audio track in your timeline. Use a crossfade transition between the two songs to create a smooth blend from one track to the next. This is great for longer videos that change mood or topic.
