Adding music to your videos can make them more engaging, emotional, and professional. Whether you’re creating content for YouTube, social media, or personal projects, learning how to
add music to video is an essential skill. The good news? It’s easier than you think!
In this beginner friendly guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process of adding background music to your videos. No complicated software or advanced skills required just simple steps to help you get started with video editing for beginners.
Now, let’s get started with the process!
Step 1: Pick Your Editing Software
First thing’s first: you need a tool. Editing without software? That’s like trying to paint a masterpiece without a brush. But don’t sweat it there’s a buffet of free and paid apps out there, depending on your budget and skill level.
Free Video Editing Options:
> iMovie (Mac/iOS) Super beginner-friendly. Even your grandma could edit a video here (probably).
> CapCut (Mobile/Desktop) Perfect for TikTok style edits. Quick, simple, effective.
> Clipchamp (Windows/Online) Easy with just enough features to get the job done.
Paid Video Editing Tools:
> Adobe Premiere Pro – The industry big shot. Powerful, but not for the faint of heart.
> Final Cut Pro – Mac lovers swear by it.
> Kosmic AI – New player in town, using AI magic to streamline editing and music integration.
Step 2: Import Your Stuff
Got your software ready? Great! Time to upload your video and the track you wanna use.
> Launch your editing app.
> Import your video by clicking "Add Media" or "Import."
> Do the same for your music track whether it’s from the app’s library or a file on your computer.
> Drag and drop that sweet tune onto the timeline under your video clip.
Step 3: Fine-Tune That Music
Throwing music on your video is easy but to really impress, you gotta tweak it. Here’s how to edit like a pro.
Trim and Sync:
> If your track is too long, trim off the extra bits.
> Shift the music left or right on the timeline to sync it perfectly with key moments in your video.
Volume Control:
> Keep it chill. If your video has dialogue, you don’t want the music drowning it out.
> Find the audio settings and lower the music volume to a balanced level.
Smooth Transitions:
> Add a fade in at the start so the music eases in instead of slamming your audience’s ears.
> Use a fade out at the end to avoid that jarring, awkward cut-off.
Step 4: Preview & Polish
Think of this step as your dress rehearsal. Hit play and check.
> Does the music sync up with key visuals or scene changes?
> Is the audio balanced—nothing too loud or too quiet?
> Any weird gaps or sudden stops?
If anything feels off, tweak it until it flows naturally.
Step 5: Export & Share
Happy with the final result? Sweet. Time to wrap it up.
> Click "Export" or "Save."
> Choose a high-quality format like MP4.
> Set the resolution (1080p is great for most platforms).
> Start the rendering process—this might take a few minutes.
Once it's done, you’re ready to share it with the world!
Where to Find Free Music
Need copyright-free tunes? Here are a few go-to sources:
🎵 YouTube Audio Library – Lots of free tracks and sound effects.
🎵 Free Music Archive (FMA) – A treasure trove of royalty free options.
🎵 Bensound – Clean, high-quality tracks for all kinds of vibes.
🎵 Pixabay Music – Commercial-friendly tracks you can safely use.
Always double check the license info, though. Better safe than sorry.
Common Mistakes to Dodge
> Copyright Drama –
Don’t use mainstream tracks unless you like getting your video muted or taken down.
> Overpowering Volume – If the music is louder than your dialogue, you’ve got a problem. Balance is key.
> Mood Mismatch – A slow, sad piano track probably won’t fit your high energy dance video. Choose wisely.
Final Thoughts
Editing videos with music isn’t rocket science, but it does take some practice. Follow these steps, play around with different tracks, and soon enough, you’ll be crafting content that grabs attention.