The basic steps work the same way across most tools

Adding music to a video means importing an audio file into your editing software, placing it on a separate audio track below your video, and adjusting its volume so it doesn't drown out dialogue or sound effects. The process takes the same shape whether you use free software like DaVinci Resolve or a phone app like CapCut: you open your project, find the audio import button, select your music file, drag it to the timeline, and trim or fade it as needed.

The main difference between tools is where those buttons live and how many clicks they take. A phone app might do it in three taps. Desktop software might require you to right-click a menu. But the underlying task is identical — you're placing sound on a track and controlling when it plays and how loud it is.

Key Takeaways

  • Most editing software lets you drag audio files directly onto the timeline, or you can use an import button to browse your computer or phone for music files.
  • Audio sits on its own track separate from your video track, so you can adjust music volume without affecting dialogue or other sounds already in your video.
  • Fade in and fade out buttons let you gradually raise or lower volume at the start and end of a song so it doesn't cut off abruptly.
  • Free music sites like Pixabay, Pexels, and YouTube Audio Library offer royalty-free songs you can use without paying licensing fees or worrying about copyright strikes.
  • If your video already has sound, test the volume balance between music and existing audio before you export, because it's hard to fix after the file is saved.

Where to find music files that won't get your video flagged

Using copyrighted music from Spotify, Apple Music, or a commercial artist without permission will trigger copyright claims on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Your video may be muted, demonetized, or taken down entirely. The safer route is royalty-free music — songs created specifically for people to use in videos, where the creator has already given permission.

Pixabay, Pexels, and Unsplash all host free royalty-free music. YouTube Audio Library (available if you have a YouTube account) offers thousands of tracks sorted by mood and instrument. Epidemic Sound and Artlist charge a monthly subscription but give you access to much larger libraries. For most projects, the free sites have enough variety — search by genre, mood, or length, read the file to your computer or phone, and import it into your editor.

Always check the license terms before you use a track. Most royalty-free sites require you to credit the artist in your video description, but some don't. A few restrict commercial use, so if you're making a video to sell a product, read the fine print first.

How to import audio into desktop editing software

In DaVinci Resolve (free version), open your project and look at the timeline at the bottom. Right-click in the empty space below your video track and select "Import Audio." Browse your computer for the music file and click Open. The audio appears as a new track. Drag the left edge of the audio clip to line it up with where you want the music to start — usually the beginning of your video, but sometimes after an intro or title card.

In Adobe Premiere Pro, go to File > Import and select your audio file, or drag the file directly from your file browser onto the timeline. It lands on the first available audio track. In iMovie on Mac, click the Audio button (looks like a musical note), find your music file in the list, and drag it onto the timeline below your video.

The exact names and locations of buttons differ, but the principle is the same: find the import or add audio option, select your file, and place it on the timeline. If you're not sure where the button is, search "[software name] how to add music" — video tutorials for your specific tool will show you the exact clicks.

How to import audio on a phone or tablet

CapCut (iOS and Android) has a dedicated Music button at the bottom of the editing screen. Tap it, search for a song in CapCut's built-in library, or tap "Local" to use a music file already on your phone. Select the track and it appears on the timeline. You can drag it left or right to change when it starts, and pinch to shorten or lengthen it.

In iMovie on iPhone or iPad, tap the plus icon, select Audio, and choose from Apple's music library or files on your device. Drag the audio clip to position it on the timeline. In Adobe Premiere Rush (free on mobile), tap the plus icon in the timeline, select Audio, and import from your phone's music library or cloud storage.

Phone apps are usually faster than desktop software because they have fewer options and less clutter. The trade-off is that you have less control over fine details like exact fade timing or audio levels. For quick social media videos, that's fine. For anything longer or more complex, desktop software gives you more precision.

Adjusting volume so music doesn't overpower dialogue

If your video has dialogue, voiceover, or other important sounds, the music should sit underneath them, not compete with them. Most editing software shows audio as a waveform — a visual representation of how loud the sound is. A tall waveform is loud; a short one is quiet.

To lower the music volume, select the audio track and look for a volume slider or level control. In DaVinci Resolve, right-click the audio clip and select "Clip Gain" to adjust how loud it is overall. In Premiere Pro, drag the audio track's volume line (a thin horizontal line running through the clip) downward. In CapCut, select the audio clip and use the volume slider that appears. A good starting point is around 40 to 60 percent of maximum volume, then play back your video and adjust from there.

Test with headphones or speakers, not just your phone speaker, because phone speakers often make quiet sounds harder to hear. If you can't hear the dialogue clearly, lower the music more. If the music disappears, raise it. This balance is one of the most common mistakes in amateur videos, so spend a few minutes getting it right before you export.

Fading music in and out so it doesn't cut off abruptly

A song that starts at full volume the moment the video begins feels jarring. A fade-in — where the volume gradually rises over the first second or two — feels intentional and polished. The same goes for the end: a fade-out lets the music trail away instead of stopping dead.

In DaVinci Resolve, select the audio clip, then look for the Fade In and Fade Out buttons in the Inspector panel on the right. Set each to one or two seconds. In Premiere Pro, right-click the audio clip, select "Fade In Audio" or "Fade Out Audio," and drag the fade handles at the edges of the clip to adjust the length. In CapCut, select the audio clip and tap the fade icon to add fades automatically.

A one-second fade is usually enough for background music. If your music is the main focus of the video (like a music video or a montage), you might use longer fades — three to five seconds. If you're not sure, start with one second and watch the preview. You can always adjust it.

Syncing music to the beat or to specific moments in your video

For videos where timing matters — a dance video, a highlight reel, a montage — you may want the music to line up with cuts or movements. This is called syncing to the beat.

The easiest way is to place your music first, then edit your video to match it. Play the music and watch where the beat drops or the chorus starts. Make a note of the time (most software shows timecode like 0:15 or 0:32). Then cut your video clips and arrange them so the action hits at those moments. It takes practice, but it's faster than trying to move audio around after the video is already cut.

If your video is already edited and you want to move the music to match it, select the audio clip and drag it left or right on the timeline. Most software snaps to grid lines or keyframes, which helps you line things up precisely. Some editors like Premiere Pro let you zoom in on the timeline to see individual frames, which makes precise syncing easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use music from Spotify or Apple Music in my video?

Not without permission. Spotify and Apple Music songs are copyrighted, and using them in a video you upload will trigger a copyright claim. Your video may be muted, demonetized, or removed. Use royalty-free music from Pixabay, Pexels, YouTube Audio Library, or similar sites instead.

What audio file format should I use?

MP3 is the most common and works in every editing software. WAV files are higher quality but much larger. Most phone apps and free software accept both. If you read music from a royalty-free site, it usually comes as an MP3 by default.

Can I add multiple songs to one video?

Yes. Import each song as a separate audio track, position them end-to-end or overlapping on the timeline, and adjust the volume of each one. Fade out the first song and fade in the second where they meet so the transition sounds smooth.

What if the music is longer than my video?

Select the audio clip and drag the right edge inward to shorten it, or use the trim tool in your software. The music will cut off at that point. If you want it to fade out instead of stopping abruptly, add a fade-out before the cut point.

Why does my exported video have no sound?

Check that the audio track is not muted (look for a mute button or speaker icon next to the track name). Make sure the volume is not set to zero. Verify that you exported with audio enabled — some software has separate checkboxes for video and audio in the export settings. If you're still stuck, re-import the audio file and try again.