How to Add Music to YouTube Videos: A Comprehensive Guide

Adding music to your YouTube videos is a fantastic way to enhance their appeal, create a specific mood, and keep viewers engaged. Whether you’re creating vlogs, tutorials, gaming videos, or anything in between, the right soundtrack can make a world of difference. However, navigating copyright issues and finding the right music can be daunting for beginners. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of adding music to your YouTube videos, covering both royalty-free options and how to properly license music when required. We’ll also explore different software and methods, ensuring you can find the perfect fit for your workflow.

Understanding Copyright and Music on YouTube

Before we dive into the technicalities, it’s crucial to understand the rules surrounding music usage on YouTube. Using copyrighted music without permission can lead to serious consequences, including:

• Copyright Strikes: YouTube’s Content ID system automatically detects copyrighted material. If your video contains copyrighted music, you may receive a copyright strike, which could lead to your video being taken down and potentially affect your channel’s standing.
• Monetization Issues: If you use copyrighted music without permission, the copyright holder may choose to monetize your video instead of you. You might not be able to earn from your video despite all your hard work.
• Account Suspension: Multiple copyright strikes can lead to the suspension or even termination of your YouTube account.

To avoid these issues, you have two main options:

1. Using Royalty-Free Music: Royalty-free music is music that you can use without having to pay royalties each time your video is viewed. Many websites offer royalty-free music, often under a license that allows use for commercial purposes, while others may only allow non-commercial usage. However, it is always wise to check the specific license agreement for each song before use.
2. Licensing Copyrighted Music: If you want to use a popular song that is not royalty-free, you must obtain a license from the copyright holder. This can be a complicated and often expensive process but ensures you’re using the track legally.

Where to Find Royalty-Free Music

Numerous resources offer royalty-free music for your YouTube videos. Here are some of the most popular options:

• YouTube Audio Library: YouTube itself provides a vast library of royalty-free music and sound effects. This library is integrated into YouTube Studio, making it incredibly convenient to use.
• Epidemic Sound: A popular subscription-based service offering a wide variety of high-quality music. It’s used by many YouTubers, but keep in mind it’s a paid service.
• Artlist.io: Another excellent subscription platform featuring curated music and sound effects from talented artists.
• Bensound: A free resource providing a good selection of royalty-free tracks.
• Incompetech: A platform offering a wide range of music, many of which are free under Creative Commons licenses (make sure to credit the artist).
• Free Music Archive (FMA): A repository of free music from various artists, ranging from experimental to classic genres.
• Mixkit: Provides free stock video, music, and sound effects, a good resource for creating dynamic videos.

Always carefully review the licensing terms for each track you download, even from “free” sites, as conditions may vary. Some tracks may require attribution, while others are completely free to use without restrictions.

Methods for Adding Music to YouTube Videos

Now that you have a handle on music licensing and where to find tracks, let’s dive into the different methods of actually adding music to your videos. We will cover video editing software and using YouTube’s built-in editor.

Method 1: Using Video Editing Software

Using video editing software provides the most control and flexibility when adding music to your videos. Here’s a breakdown of the general steps, keeping in mind the specific software you use may have minor variations.

Popular Video Editing Software:

• Adobe Premiere Pro: A professional-grade video editing software, excellent for complex projects. (Paid subscription)
• Final Cut Pro X: Apple’s professional editing software, mainly for macOS. (Paid one-time purchase)
• DaVinci Resolve: A powerful and versatile software, available in a free and paid version. It’s known for its color-grading tools.
• Filmora: A user-friendly option great for beginners and intermediates. (Paid)
• iMovie: A free and simple video editor that comes with macOS and iOS devices.
• OpenShot: A free, open-source option for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

General Steps for Adding Music in Video Editing Software:

1. Import Your Video Footage and Audio: Open your chosen video editing software and import your video footage and downloaded music files. This step may involve clicking ‘Import Media’ or simply dragging and dropping the files into the software’s project panel.
2. Place Your Video on the Timeline: Drag your main video clip onto the software’s timeline. The timeline is where you assemble your video sequence.
3. Add Music to the Timeline: Now, drag your chosen music track onto the timeline, typically below your video track. You will see a waveform that represents the audio signal on the timeline.
4. Adjust Music Volume: The audio from the music may be too loud compared to your video’s audio. Adjust the music track’s volume using the audio level control. Most software allows for lowering/raising the volume using a slider or by using keyframes. Make sure the music complements your video’s audio without overpowering it.
5. Trim and Edit Music: You might not want the entire music track in your video. Use the editing tools to trim the music track to fit the length of your video or to cut out parts that don’t sound right. You can also use the software to fade music in or out, create transitions, and change the pace of the music.
6. Sync Music and Video (if needed): If you need the music to match your video’s actions or mood, make adjustments to the music track’s starting point or timing. This may involve cutting or splicing the video, music, or both to ensure they line up correctly.
7. Preview and Finalize: Play your project in the preview window to make sure the music sits well with your video, tweak it further if necessary. Once you are satisfied, export your video in the format of your choosing.
8. Export the Video: Choose the appropriate settings and export your video. This may take some time depending on the size of the video and the software you’re using.

Specific Software Examples:

Adobe Premiere Pro: In Premiere Pro, after importing your assets, drag the video to a video track, and then drag the music to an audio track. You can adjust the volume in the Audio tab, located in the Essential Sound panel, which allows fine tuning and includes options for auto-ducking your music when the main audio is present. Use the Razer tool (or shortcut ‘C’) to cut out segments of the music, or the Roll tool (or shortcut ‘N’) to extend or shorten the music clip.

DaVinci Resolve: The media page allows you to import your assets, then move to the edit page and drag your video to the timeline. Drag the music onto a new audio track. Navigate to the Fairlight page to fine tune the audio levels, adding keyframes to control the volume over time. Use the blade tool (‘B’) to cut music and audio segments. Transitions can be added to smooth the ending or beginning of a music track.

iMovie: Import your assets and drag your video to the timeline. Drag the music below your video clip, and select the audio track. Adjust the volume using the sound slider above the timeline, you can also add fades using the small handle at the edges of the clip.

Method 2: Using YouTube Studio’s Built-in Editor

If you want a simple and quick solution, YouTube Studio’s built-in editor is a good option. This method doesn’t offer as much control as video editing software, but it’s a viable choice for basic editing.

Steps for Adding Music in YouTube Studio:

1. Upload Your Video: Log in to your YouTube account and upload your video.
2. Access the Editor: Once your video is uploaded, go to YouTube Studio, select the ‘Content’ tab, and choose the video that you want to edit. Click the editor icon, which looks like a pencil.
3. Add Music: In the editor, you’ll find an ‘Audio’ tab, click this and browse the YouTube Audio Library. This library contains thousands of royalty-free tracks which are available to add directly to your video.
4. Search and Select Music: You can search by genre, mood, artist, or title to find the perfect track. Click ‘Add’ next to the track you’ve chosen.
5. Adjust the Music Track: The music will appear on an audio track below your video. You can adjust the starting point of the music by dragging it on the timeline. You can also control its volume, or use the Trim tool to cut the music.
6. Preview Your Video: Watch your video with the added music and make any needed adjustments.
7. Save and Publish: Once you’re satisfied, save your edits and publish your video.

Advantages of Using YouTube’s Built-in Editor:

• Convenient: It’s directly integrated into YouTube, making the process very straightforward.
• Royalty-Free Music: You only have access to royalty-free music, so you don’t need to worry about copyright strikes.
• Quick Results: It’s the quickest and easiest way to add music if you need to edit your video fast.

Limitations of YouTube’s Built-in Editor:

• Limited Features: The editor is basic and lacks advanced editing options.
• No Custom Music Uploads: You can only use music from the YouTube Audio Library. You can’t upload and use your own music in the built-in editor.
• Less Precise Control: You have less fine-tuned control over volume and other audio editing features.

Tips for Using Music Effectively in Your Videos

Adding music is not just about throwing any song onto your video. Here are some tips on using music strategically:

• Choose the Right Genre: Select music that matches the mood and tone of your video. Upbeat tracks work well for energetic content, while mellow music is better suited for emotional or reflective videos.
• Use Music Transitions: Use music to transition between different segments of your video. For example, a fade-out and fade-in can help indicate a change of scene or subject.
• Don’t Overpower the Dialogue: Make sure the music isn’t too loud and doesn’t drown out your voice or other important sounds. Lower the music volume so it sits well behind your main audio.
• Use Dynamic Music: Look for songs that have dynamic changes in pace and volume to keep the viewer engaged.
• Test Before Publishing: Always preview your video to make sure the music works as intended and isn’t jarring or distracting.
• Check for Audio Issues: Pay attention to the quality of the audio. Ensure there are no crackles, pops, or other audible flaws in the music or your video’s audio.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here are some common issues you might encounter and how to solve them:

• Copyright Claims: If your video receives a copyright claim, review the details of the claim. If you believe you have used the music legally, you can dispute the claim. If you haven’t, you’ll have to either remove the music or get the rights to use the track.
• Volume Issues: If your music is too loud or quiet, adjust the volume levels in your editing software or in YouTube Studio. You might need to adjust the volume several times to find the perfect balance between your voice or dialogue and the background music.
• Sync Problems: If the music isn’t syncing well with your video, try using the trimming tools to match the music to the video’s timeline. If the timing is off due to video-to-audio recording inconsistencies, it is sometimes easiest to trim the music.
• Poor Audio Quality: If the music sounds distorted or low quality, make sure you are using a high-quality file, or that your export settings in your editor is set to the appropriate standard.

Conclusion

Adding music to your YouTube videos is a powerful way to enhance your content and keep your audience engaged. By understanding copyright issues, choosing the right royalty-free music, and mastering either the video editing software or the built-in YouTube Studio editor, you can create videos that are not just informative or entertaining but also immersive and memorable. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced content creator, this guide provides all the information you need to elevate your videos with the perfect soundtrack. Always remember to respect copyright rules and to experiment to find the best sound to suit your specific video. Good luck with your video projects!