The basic steps work the same way in every video editor

Adding music to a video means importing an audio file into your project, 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 DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro, CapCut, or iMovie: import the file, drag it to the timeline, trim it to length, and balance the levels.

The main difference between programs is where the buttons live and how many clicks each step takes. A phone app like CapCut does it in three taps. A desktop program like Premiere Pro gives you more control but requires more steps. Neither approach is harder — they just match different devices and projects.

Key Takeaways

  • Audio files go on a separate track below your video track, not mixed into the video itself.
  • You can trim music to match your video length, fade it in and out, and adjust volume without affecting the original file.
  • Most programs let you layer multiple audio tracks so dialogue, music, and sound effects can play at different volumes.
  • Export settings determine whether your final video includes the audio — check that audio is not muted before you save.

Import the audio file into your project

Before you can use music, the file has to exist in your project. In desktop programs like DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro, go to File > Import or right-click in the media panel and choose Import. Select the audio file from your computer — MP3, WAV, and AIFF files work in nearly every editor. Phone apps like CapCut usually have a plus button or "Add" option that opens your phone's file browser.

The file now appears in your project's media library but is not yet on the timeline. You have imported it, but it is not connected to your video yet. That happens in the next step.

Drag the audio to the timeline below your video

Your timeline is the horizontal strip where your video clips sit. Audio tracks live below the video track. Click and drag the music file from your media library onto an empty audio track — usually labeled A1, A2, or "Audio Track 1." The file snaps into place at the point where you drop it.

If no audio track exists, most programs create one automatically when you drag audio onto the timeline. In some editors like iMovie, you may need to right-click and choose "Add Audio Track" first. Once the music is on the timeline, you can see its waveform — the visual representation of the sound — which helps you see where loud and quiet parts occur.

Trim the music to match your video length

Your music file is probably longer or shorter than your video. Grab the right edge of the audio clip on the timeline and drag it left to shorten it or right to extend it. The clip will not actually change — you are just telling the editor where to stop playing it. If you drag the edge past the end of your video, the music will keep playing after the video stops, which usually is not what you want.

Some editors let you split audio at a specific point. In Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve, position the playhead where you want to cut and press Ctrl+K (Windows) or Cmd+K (Mac). This creates two separate clips so you can delete one half or adjust them independently. In CapCut, tap the audio clip and choose "Split."

Adjust volume so music does not overpower dialogue

If your video has people talking, the music needs to be quieter than their voices. Click the audio clip to select it, then look for a volume slider or level control — usually shown as a percentage or a fader. Drag it down to around 30 to 50 percent of full volume. Play back a section with dialogue to hear whether the balance sounds right.

Most programs also let you add a fade-in at the start and a fade-out at the end so the music does not start or stop abruptly. Right-click the audio clip and look for "Fade In" or "Fade Out," or drag the top corner of the clip inward. A fade usually lasts one to two seconds and makes the transition feel intentional rather than jarring.

Layer multiple audio tracks if you need them

A single audio track works fine for music alone, but videos often need dialogue, music, and sound effects all playing at different volumes. Create a separate track for each: one for dialogue, one for music, one for effects. Each track has its own volume control, so you can make dialogue loud, music medium, and a door slam quiet without affecting the others.

In desktop editors, right-click in the timeline and choose "Add Audio Track." In phone apps, look for a plus button next to the audio section. Label each track so you remember what goes where — most editors let you name tracks by double-clicking the label. When you export, all tracks mix together into a single audio stream in your final video.

Export your video with audio included

Before you save, check that audio is not muted. Look at each audio track — there should be no mute button pressed or mute icon visible. In the export settings, make sure audio is set to export at full quality, not stripped out. Some programs have an "Audio" tab in export settings where you choose which tracks to include.

Export as an MP4 or MOV file if you are sharing online or via email. These formats compress the video and audio together into one file that plays on any device. If you are archiving the project or passing it to another editor, export as a larger format like ProRes or DNxHD, which preserves more quality but creates much larger files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any music file I find online?

No. Most music is copyrighted, and using it without permission can get your video removed or your account suspended. Use music from royalty-free sites like Unsplash, Pexels, or YouTube Audio Library, or purchase a license from services like Epidemic Sound. These sources let you use music legally in your videos.

What if the music is longer than my video?

Drag the right edge of the audio clip on the timeline to the left until it ends where your video ends. The music stops playing at that point. You can also split the clip at a specific moment and delete the part you do not need, leaving the beginning or middle section instead of the end.

How do I make music fade in and out?

Right-click the audio clip and choose "Fade In" or "Fade Out," or drag the top corner of the clip inward. A fade usually lasts one to two seconds. You can adjust the fade length by dragging the corner further or closer to the edge of the clip.

Why can I not hear the music when I play back my video?

Check that the audio track is not muted — look for a mute button or icon next to the track name and click it to unmute. Also check that the volume slider is not all the way down. If the music is there but very quiet, raise the volume percentage on the audio clip itself.

Do I need to export again if I change the music?

Yes. Changes you make in the editor only exist in your project file. To create a new video file with the updated music, you must export again. The new export will include whatever audio is on your timeline at that moment.