The basic steps work the same way in most video editors

To add background music to a video, you import an audio file into your editor, place it on the timeline below your video track, adjust the volume so it does not drown out dialogue, and export the result. The exact steps depend on which editor you use, but the workflow is nearly identical across DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro, CapCut, iMovie, and Windows Photos. You will need an audio file — either one you recorded, downloaded, or purchased — and a few minutes to position it correctly.

The most common mistake is setting the music volume too high. Background music should sit behind any dialogue or narration, not replace it. Most editors let you see the audio waveform on the timeline, which helps you spot where the music is loudest and adjust from there.

Key Takeaways

  • Import your audio file into the editor, then drag it onto a separate audio track below your video track on the timeline.
  • Trim the music to match your video length by dragging the edges of the audio clip, or let it play past the end and cut it during export.
  • Lower the music volume so dialogue or narration stays clear — most editors show you the audio waveform to help you see where it peaks.
  • Fade the music in at the start and out at the end to avoid a jarring jump from silence to sound.
  • Test the mix by playing the video in your editor before you export, so you can hear how the music sits with your other audio.

Where to find and prepare your audio file

You can use music from several sources: royalty-free libraries like Pixabay Music, Pexels Music, or YouTube Audio Library (if you upload to YouTube); paid services like Epidemic Sound or Artlist; music you own or recorded yourself; or licensed tracks you purchased. Royalty-free sites are free and legal to use in videos you publish, though some require you to credit the artist in your video description.

Download the audio file to your computer in a common format like MP3 or WAV. Save it in a folder you can find easily — many editors let you browse for files when you import, but keeping audio in one place makes the process faster. If you are using music from YouTube Audio Library, you can download it directly from the library and use it in any video you plan to upload to YouTube.

Before you import, listen to the track and note where it starts and ends. Some royalty-free music has a few seconds of silence at the beginning or end, which you may want to trim in your editor or in a separate audio tool like Audacity (free) before importing.

Importing audio into your timeline

Open your video project in your editor and locate the import or file menu. In DaVinci Resolve, go to File > Import > Media and select your audio file. In Adobe Premiere Pro, use File > Import and choose the audio. In CapCut (mobile and desktop), tap the plus icon and select Audio, then choose your file. In iMovie, click the Audio button and drag your file into the timeline. In Windows Photos, open your video, click Edit, and select Add music.

Once imported, the audio appears in your media library or browser. Drag it onto the timeline to a track below your video. Most editors create a new audio track automatically if you drag to an empty area. Position the audio so it starts where you want the music to begin — usually at the very start of the video, though some editors prefer to fade it in a second or two after the video begins.

If your editor does not show audio tracks clearly, check the View menu or Timeline settings. DaVinci Resolve and Premiere Pro let you add multiple audio tracks, which is useful if you have dialogue, sound effects, and music all playing at once.

Trimming the music to fit your video length

Look at your timeline and see where your video ends. If your music is longer than your video, you have two choices: trim it on the timeline, or let it play past the end and cut it during export. Trimming on the timeline is cleaner and gives you more control.

To trim, hover your cursor over the right edge of the audio clip until it changes to a resize cursor, then drag left to shorten the clip. Stop when the audio ends at or just before your video ends. If you want the music to fade out over the last few seconds, trim it so it extends slightly past the video end, then add a fade-out effect (see the next section).

If your music is shorter than your video, you can loop it — most editors have a right-click option to repeat the clip. Alternatively, import the same track twice and place the second copy right after the first. This works well for ambient or instrumental music but sounds awkward if the track has a distinct beginning or ending.

Adjusting volume and adding fades

Click on the audio clip to select it. Look for a volume slider or level control — in most editors, this appears as a horizontal line running through the middle of the audio waveform on the timeline. Drag this line down to lower the volume. If you have dialogue in your video, lower the music until you can hear both clearly when you play it back. A good starting point is around 50 to 70 percent of the music's original volume, but this varies depending on how loud your dialogue is.

To fade the music in at the start, right-click the audio clip and look for Fade In or Audio Fade options. Set the fade to last one to three seconds. Do the same at the end with Fade Out. Fades prevent the music from starting or stopping abruptly, which sounds unprofessional. If your editor does not have a fade menu option, you can create a fade manually by dragging the volume line down to zero at the start and end of the clip.

Some editors let you see the audio waveform — the visual representation of the sound. Tall peaks mean loud parts; flat sections mean quiet parts. Use this to spot where the music gets loudest and adjust the volume slider accordingly. If one section is much louder than the rest, you may need to lower the overall volume or use keyframes to turn it down just for that section.

Testing and exporting your video

Before you export, play your video in the editor to hear how the music sounds with your other audio. Use headphones or speakers you trust — phone speakers often make it hard to judge volume balance. Listen for these issues: Does the music drown out dialogue? Does it start or stop abruptly? Does it loop awkwardly if you repeated it? Make adjustments on the timeline and test again.

Once you are satisfied, export your video. Go to File > Export or use your editor's export button. Choose your desired format (MP4 is standard for most uses) and resolution. The audio will be mixed into the final video file automatically. Some editors let you adjust audio levels one more time during export, but the settings you made on the timeline are usually what exports.

After export, watch the final video on your computer or phone to confirm the audio mix sounds right. Different playback devices can reveal issues you missed in the editor — a video that sounds balanced on your computer might sound too quiet on a phone speaker.

Common issues and how to fix them

If the music is too loud and covers your dialogue, select the audio clip and lower the volume slider further. If it is too quiet and barely noticeable, raise it. If the music starts before your video does, drag the audio clip to the right on the timeline so it aligns with the video start. If it ends before your video does, either extend the clip by dragging its right edge, loop it, or add a second copy of the track.

If the music sounds distorted or crackles, the volume may be too high — lower it slightly. If you imported an audio file that is in an unusual format, your editor may not recognize it. Convert it to MP3 or WAV using a free tool like Audacity or an online converter, then import the converted file.

If you have multiple audio tracks and they sound muddy together, lower the volume of the background music even more, or use your editor's equalizer to reduce the bass frequencies of the music so it does not compete with dialogue. This is an advanced technique, but most editors include a basic equalizer in the audio effects menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any music I find online in my video?

No. Most music is copyrighted, and using it without permission can result in your video being taken down or claimed by the copyright holder. Use only royalty-free music, music you own, or music you have a license to use. Royalty-free libraries like Pixabay Music and YouTube Audio Library are free and legal for video use.

What audio format should I use?

MP3 and WAV are the most common and work in all major editors. Some editors also accept AAC, FLAC, and OGG. If your editor does not recognize your audio file, convert it to MP3 using Audacity or an online converter.

How do I make the music fade in and out?

Right-click the audio clip on the timeline and select Fade In or Fade Out from the menu. Set the duration to one to three seconds. If your editor does not have this option, drag the volume line down to zero at the start and end of the clip to create a manual fade.

Can I add multiple songs to one video?

Yes. Import each song as a separate audio file and place them end-to-end on the timeline, or overlap them slightly and adjust the volume so both are audible. Make sure the songs transition smoothly — a fade-out on the first song and fade-in on the second works well.

What should the volume of background music be compared to dialogue?

Background music should be noticeably quieter than dialogue — typically 50 to 70 percent of the music's original volume. Test by playing the video and listening for whether you can hear both clearly. If you have to strain to hear dialogue, lower the music more.