The basic steps work the same way in most video editors

To add music to a video, you import an audio file into your editor, place it on the timeline below your video track, and adjust the volume so it sits behind dialogue or sound effects. Most editors let you drag the audio file directly onto the timeline, trim it to match your video length, and fade it in or out at the edges. The file format matters — MP3, WAV, and M4A work in nearly every editor, while some older software may reject less common formats.

The process takes the same shape whether you are using free software like DaVinci Resolve or a paid tool like Adobe Premiere Pro. The main difference is where the buttons live and how many clicks each step takes. Once you understand the principle — audio sits on its own track, separate from video — you can move between editors without starting over.

Key Takeaways

  • Import your audio file into the editor, then drag it onto a track below your video on the timeline.
  • Trim the audio to match your video length by dragging the edges of the audio clip inward.
  • Lower the volume of background music so dialogue or natural sound stays in the foreground.
  • Use fade-in and fade-out effects at the start and end of music to avoid jarring cuts.
  • Export your final video with audio embedded by choosing a format that includes both video and sound.

Import the audio file into your editor

Open your video editor and locate the import or file menu — usually at the top left. Look for "Import Media", "Open", or "Add Files". Select the audio file from your computer. Most editors will show it in a media panel or library on the left or bottom of the screen. The file does not automatically go onto your timeline; importing just loads it into the editor so you can use it.

If your audio file is in an uncommon format (like FLAC or OGG), the editor may refuse to import it. Convert the file to MP3 or WAV first using a free tool like Audacity or an online converter. This takes a few minutes and saves you from troubleshooting later.

Drag the audio onto the timeline below your video

Look at the timeline — the horizontal strip at the bottom or center of your screen that shows your video as a series of frames. Your video clip sits on one track. Below it, you will see empty space where audio tracks go. Click and drag the audio file from the media panel directly onto that empty space below the video. Release the mouse button. The audio clip now appears as a colored bar on its own track, lined up with the start of your video.

If the audio does not land where you intended, click it and drag it left or right to reposition it. Most editors snap audio to the nearest frame, so small adjustments happen automatically. If you want the music to start partway through the video instead of at the beginning, drag it to the right until it lines up with the frame where you want it to begin.

Trim the audio to match your video length

Look at the right edge of the audio clip on the timeline. Move your cursor to that edge until it changes to a resize arrow (usually a double-headed arrow pointing left and right). Click and drag the edge inward to shorten the audio. Drag it until the audio ends at the same frame where your video ends. If your audio is longer than your video, this prevents silence or cut-off sound at the end.

If your audio is shorter than your video, you have two choices: loop the audio so it plays twice, or add a second audio file to fill the gap. Looping is faster — right-click the audio clip and look for "Loop" or "Repeat". Adding a second file gives you more control over what plays when. Either way, make sure something is playing for the entire length of your video, or viewers will hear silence at the end.

Lower the volume of background music

Right-click the audio clip and look for "Volume", "Audio Properties", or "Levels". A window will open with a slider or number field. Drag the slider to the left or type a lower number — usually between 30 and 60 percent works well for background music. Play a few seconds of your video to hear how it sounds. If you still hear the music too loudly over dialogue, lower it more. If you can barely hear it, raise it slightly.

Some editors let you adjust volume by clicking directly on the audio clip and dragging a line up or down. Look for a thin line running through the middle of the audio clip — that is the volume control. Drag it downward to lower the volume across the whole clip, or drag points on the line up and down to change volume at different moments. This is useful if you want the music loud at the start and quiet during dialogue, then loud again at the end.

Add fade-in and fade-out effects

A fade-in makes the music start silent and gradually get louder over one or two seconds. A fade-out does the opposite — the music gradually gets quieter until it stops. Both prevent the jarring feeling of music suddenly appearing or disappearing. Right-click the audio clip and look for "Fade In", "Fade Out", or "Audio Effects". Select the fade option. A small curved line will appear at the start or end of the audio clip, showing the fade happening over time.

If you do not see a fade option in the menu, look for a small handle or triangle at the corner of the audio clip itself. Drag that handle inward to create a fade. The distance you drag determines how long the fade lasts — drag it a short distance for a quick fade, or further for a slower one. Most videos look best with a one-to-two-second fade at the start and end of background music.

Export your video with audio included

Go to File and look for "Export", "Render", or "Save As". A dialog box will open asking what format you want. Choose a format that includes both video and audio — MP4 and MOV are the most common and work on nearly all devices and platforms. Do not choose an audio-only format like MP3, or your video will export without sound.

The export process can take several minutes depending on your video length and the power of your computer. Do not close the editor or unplug your computer while it is working. Once the export finishes, play the video file in a media player to confirm the music is there and at the right volume. If something sounds wrong, go back to the timeline, make adjustments, and export again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use music from YouTube or streaming services in my video?

Most music on YouTube and streaming services is copyrighted, and using it without permission can result in your video being taken down or claimed by the copyright holder. Royalty-free music sites like Pixabay, Pexels, and YouTube Audio Library offer free music you can use legally. Always check the license before downloading to confirm you can use it for your project.

What if my audio file is longer than my video?

Trim the audio by dragging the right edge of the clip inward on the timeline until it ends when your video ends. If you want the music to continue under credits or a fade-to-black at the end, extend the video track first, then trim the audio to match that new length.

How do I make dialogue louder than background music?

Lower the volume of the music track to 30 to 50 percent, then check that your dialogue or natural sound is on a separate track above it. If dialogue and music are on the same track, you cannot control them separately. If they are on different tracks, you can adjust each one independently until the balance sounds right.

Why does my audio sound out of sync with the video?

This usually happens when you drag the audio to the wrong position on the timeline. Click the audio clip and drag it left or right until it lines up with the frame where you want it to start. Play a few seconds to confirm it is in the right place. If it still sounds off, check that your video and audio files were recorded at the same frame rate.

Can I add multiple music tracks at the same time?

Yes. Drag a second audio file onto a different track below the first one. Adjust the volume of each track so they blend together. This is useful for layering different instruments or transitioning from one song to another. Make sure both tracks do not play at full volume at the same time, or the sound will be too loud.