The basic steps to add audio to your Insta360 video

Open your project in Insta360 Studio and find the Audio tab in the left panel. Click the plus icon next to "Audio Track" to add a new track. You can then either upload an audio file from your computer (MP3, WAV, AAC, and FLAC are supported) or choose from Insta360's built-in music library. Once you've selected your audio, it appears as a colored bar on the timeline below your video. You can drag it left or right to change when it starts playing, and drag the edges to trim it shorter.

The audio will play over your video during export. If you add multiple audio tracks, they'll all play at the same time — useful if you want background music plus voiceover plus sound effects. Each track has its own volume slider, so you can make one quieter than the others without re-recording anything.

Key Takeaways

  • Audio files go into the Audio tab on the left panel, and you can add multiple tracks that play together.
  • Drag audio left or right on the timeline to change when it starts, and drag the edges to shorten it without opening another program.
  • Each audio track has its own volume control, so you can balance music, voiceover, and sound effects without re-recording.
  • Insta360 Studio accepts MP3, WAV, AAC, and FLAC files, and includes a library of royalty-free music you can use without uploading your own.

Uploading your own audio files

Click the plus icon in the Audio tab and select "Import Audio" to upload a file from your computer. Navigate to the file, select it, and click Open. The file will appear on a new audio track on your timeline. If the file is longer than your video, it will keep playing after the video ends — trim it by dragging the right edge of the audio bar to the left until it stops where you want.

If you're adding voiceover, record it in any audio app on your computer first (Audacity is free and works well), export it as an MP3 or WAV file, then import it here. This is faster than trying to record directly into Insta360 Studio, which doesn't have a built-in microphone input.

Using Insta360's music library

Click the plus icon in the Audio tab and select "Music Library" instead of "Import Audio." A panel opens showing categories like Background, Upbeat, Cinematic, and Ambient. Click a track to preview it, then click the checkmark to add it to your timeline. These tracks are royalty-free, meaning you can use them in videos you share publicly without worrying about copyright claims.

The library is useful for quick projects where you don't have your own music ready. If none of the built-in tracks fit your style, you can always import your own instead. You're not locked into using the library — it's just an option if you need something fast.

Adjusting volume and timing

Each audio track has a volume slider at the top of its bar on the timeline. Click and drag the slider left to make the audio quieter, or right to make it louder. If you have background music and voiceover playing at the same time, lower the music volume so the voiceover is clearly heard. You can also click directly on the audio bar itself and drag it up or down to adjust volume without using the slider.

To change when the audio starts, click and drag the entire audio bar left (earlier) or right (later) on the timeline. If you want the audio to start partway through instead of at the beginning, drag the left edge of the bar to the right. To shorten the end, drag the right edge to the left. These adjustments don't change the audio file itself — they only change how it lines up with your video.

Syncing audio to video moments

Play your video by clicking the play button at the top of the timeline. Watch for moments where you want audio to start or stop — a beat drop in music, a sound effect when something happens on screen, or a voiceover that matches a specific action. Pause the video at that moment and note the timestamp shown above the timeline.

Then click and drag your audio bar so its left edge lines up with that timestamp. If you need to be precise, you can zoom in on the timeline by scrolling with your mouse wheel, which makes it easier to line up audio to the exact frame. This takes practice, but even rough timing usually looks intentional rather than accidental.

Exporting your video with audio

Once your audio is positioned and volumes are set, click the Export button at the top right of Insta360 Studio. Choose your resolution (4K, 2K, or 1080p), frame rate, and file format. The audio will be included automatically — you don't need to do anything extra. Click "Start Export" and wait for the file to finish processing. The time this takes depends on your video length and your computer's speed, but typically ranges from a few minutes to an hour.

Before you export, play through your entire video one more time to make sure the audio sounds right. If you notice the volume is too loud or too quiet, or the timing is off, you can fix it and re-export without losing any work. Insta360 Studio saves your project, so changes stay in place.

Troubleshooting common audio problems

If your audio file won't import, check that it's in one of the supported formats: MP3, WAV, AAC, or FLAC. If it's in a different format like M4A or OGG, convert it using a free tool like Audacity or an online converter before importing. If the audio plays but sounds distorted or too quiet, the file itself may have been recorded at the wrong level — re-record or re-export it from your original source if possible.

If audio and video are out of sync after export, the issue usually happened during the original video recording, not in Insta360 Studio. Check that your camera's audio and video were recorded together (most 360 cameras record both to the same file). If you're adding voiceover that doesn't match the video, re-record it or adjust the timing on the timeline until it looks right. If multiple audio tracks are playing but one is too quiet to hear, raise its volume slider — the library music might be masking it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record voiceover directly into Insta360 Studio without importing a file?

No, Insta360 Studio doesn't have a built-in recording feature. Record your voiceover in Audacity, GarageBand, or any audio app on your computer, export it as an MP3 or WAV file, then import it into Insta360 Studio. This also gives you a chance to re-record if you make a mistake, rather than having to start the whole project over.

What happens if my audio file is shorter than my video?

The audio will play and then stop, leaving silence for the rest of the video. If you want the audio to loop (repeat), you'll need to extend it in an audio editor before importing, or add the same file twice on the timeline. Insta360 Studio doesn't have a built-in loop feature for audio.

Can I fade audio in or out instead of cutting it off abruptly?

Insta360 Studio doesn't have fade controls built in. If you need a fade, create it in Audacity or another audio editor before importing the file. Alternatively, you can lower the volume gradually by adjusting the slider at different points on the timeline, though this is less precise than a true fade.

Do I need to worry about copyright if I use my own music?

Only if the music is copyrighted and you don't own it. If you wrote and recorded the music yourself, or you have permission from the copyright holder, you're fine. The Insta360 music library is royalty-free, so you can use those tracks anywhere. For other music, check the license before uploading your video to social media.

Can I adjust audio volume for just part of a track?

Not with a single slider. You can split the audio track into two pieces (cut it at the point where you want the volume to change), then adjust each piece separately. Some video editors make this easier, but in Insta360 Studio you'll need to plan your volume changes ahead of time or use an audio editor to create the effect before importing.