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Adding background music to a video clip can be a great way to enhance the overall viewing experience. Whether you want to create a mood, emphasize certain emotions, or simply add some excitement, the right background music can make a significant difference. In this blog post, we will explore various methods to add background music to a video clip on an iPhone. We will discuss step-by-step instructions for each method, along with their pros and cons. By the end of this article, you will have a comprehensive understanding of how to add background music to your videos using an iPhone.

Video Tutorial:

Why You Need to Add Background Music to Your Video Clips

There are several reasons why you may want to add background music to your video clips. Here are a few of the most common motivations:

1. Enhance the atmosphere: Background music can set the tone for your video and create a particular ambiance. Whether you want to convey a sense of excitement, mystery, or joy, the right music can make all the difference.

2. Evoke emotions: Music has a powerful effect on our emotions. By carefully selecting the background music, you can evoke specific feelings in your viewers, such as happiness, nostalgia, or sadness.

3. Improve engagement: Adding background music can help captivate your audience’s attention and keep them engaged throughout the video. It can complement the visuals and make the overall experience more enjoyable.

4. Professional touch: Including background music in your video clips gives them a polished and professional feel. It shows that you have taken the time to add an extra layer of creativity and sophistication to your content.

Method 1: Using iMovie

iMovie is a powerful video editing app available for iPhones. It offers various features, including the ability to add background music to your video clips. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Download and open iMovie on your iPhone.

Step 2: Tap on the plus (+) icon at the bottom to create a new project.

Step 3: Select the video clip you want to add background music to and import it into iMovie.

Step 4: Tap on the music note icon to access the iMovie music library.

Step 5: Browse through the available music options or use the search bar to find a specific track.

Step 6: Once you have found a suitable background music track, tap on it to preview.

Step 7: When you are satisfied with your selection, tap on the "+" icon next to the track to add it to your video clip.

Step 8: Adjust the volume of the background music by dragging the volume slider.

Pros:
1. iMovie offers a wide range of music tracks to choose from, allowing you to find the perfect background music for your video.
2. The app provides precise control over the volume of the background music, ensuring it doesn’t overpower the main audio.
3. iMovie is a user-friendly app, making it easy for beginners to navigate and add background music to their video clips.

Cons:
1. iMovie is only available for iOS devices, limiting its accessibility to iPhone users.
2. The music library in iMovie may not have an extensive selection compared to dedicated music platforms.
3. Some advanced features in iMovie, such as fine-tuning the start and end points of the background music, may require additional editing skills.

Method 2: Via Video Editing Apps

Aside from iMovie, there are several other video editing apps available on the App Store that allow you to add background music to your video clips. Here’s a general step-by-step guide on how to do it using these apps:

Step 1: Download and install a video editing app of your choice from the App Store (e.g., InShot, Splice, Quik).

Step 2: Open the app and import the video clip you want to edit.

Step 3: Locate the background music feature within the app.

Step 4: Browse through the available music options or import your own music from your iPhone’s music library.

Step 5: Preview and select the desired background music track.

Step 6: Adjust the volume and duration of the background music to fit your video.

Step 7: Save or export your edited video clip with the added background music.

Each video editing app may have slightly different steps and features, so it’s essential to explore the specific functionalities of the app you choose.

Pros:
1. Video editing apps provide a wide range of options for adding background music to your video clips.
2. These apps often offer additional editing features, allowing you to enhance your videos further.
3. Many video editing apps have user-friendly interfaces, making them accessible to users of all skill levels.

Cons:
1. Some video editing apps may have restrictions or watermarks in their free versions, requiring you to purchase a premium version for full functionality.
2. The available music library in these apps may vary in terms of variety and quality.
3. Learning a new video editing app may take time and effort for those unfamiliar with the specific interface and features.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Music Apps

In addition to video editing apps, you can also use third-party music apps to add background music to your video clips. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Download and install a music app that allows you to create and customize your own music tracks (e.g., GarageBand, Groovepad, Auxy).

Step 2: Open the music app and create a new music project.

Step 3: Use the app’s features to compose or select a suitable background music track for your video clip.

Step 4: Export the background music track as an audio file.

Step 5: Open a video editing app of your choice and import the video clip you want to edit.

Step 6: Locate the background music feature within the app.

Step 7: Import the background music track you created or obtained from the music app.

Step 8: Adjust the volume, duration, and other settings of the background music to align with your video clip.

Step 9: Save or export your edited video clip with the added background music.

Pros:
1. Using third-party music apps allows for greater customization and flexibility in creating background music precisely tailored to your video clip.
2. These apps often provide advanced features for music composition and editing.
3. By creating your own background music, you can ensure that it aligns perfectly with the mood and content of your video clip.

Cons:
1. Utilizing third-party music apps may require additional time and effort to learn and master the music creation process.
2. Some music apps may have a steep learning curve for users unfamiliar with music composition principles.
3. Exporting and importing the background music track from the music app to a video editing app may require additional technical steps.

Method 4:via Voice-Over Feature

If you’re looking for a simpler way to add background music to your video clips without using external apps, you can utilize the voice-over feature available on iPhones. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Open the Photos app on your iPhone and locate the video clip you want to edit.

Step 2: Tap on "Edit" to access the editing options.

Step 3: Tap on the microphone icon to activate the voice-over feature.

Step 4: Select the song or music track you want to use as background music.

Step 5: Start playing the background music on another device or music app.

Step 6: Record a voice-over narration or any intended audio using the iPhone’s microphone while the background music is playing.

Step 7: Adjust the volume levels of the background music and voice-over to achieve the desired balance.

Step 8: Save the edited video clip with the integrated background music and voice-over.

Pros:
1. The voice-over feature is readily available on iPhones, requiring no additional downloads or installations.
2. It allows for a straightforward method to combine background music and voice-over narration in a single recording.
3. The voice-over feature can be useful for creating personalized messages, explanations, or commentary alongside the background music.

Cons:
1. The voice-over feature may have limited options for adjusting the volume levels or fine-tuning the audio.
2. It might be challenging to synchronize the background music playback from another device with the voice-over recording on the iPhone.
3. The microphone quality on iPhones may not match professional recording devices, potentially affecting the overall audio quality.

What to Do If You Can’t Add Background Music to Your Video Clips

If you encounter challenges or limitations in adding background music to your video clips, here are a few fixes you can try:

1. Update your video editing app or iPhone’s operating system: Sometimes, compatibility issues can prevent background music from being added. Ensure that your apps and system are up to date.

2. Use a different video editing app: If the app you’re using doesn’t have the desired background music features, try exploring other video editing apps with more extensive functionalities.

3. Trim the video clip: If the length of your video clip exceeds the available background music track, consider trimming the video to fit within the track’s duration.

4. Check the music format: Ensure that the background music tracks you are attempting to import are in a compatible format for the video editing app.

5. Add background music during post-production: If you’re unable to add background music directly to your video clip, consider adding it during the post-production phase using a dedicated video editing software on a computer.

Bonus Tips

Here are three bonus tips to help you make the most out of adding background music to your video clips:

1. Choose royalty-free or licensed music: To avoid copyright infringement, use music that you have the rights to or opt for royalty-free music from reputable sources.

2. Consider the audio quality: Ensure that the background music tracks you choose have good audio quality to enhance the overall viewing experience.

3. Balance the audio levels: Adjust the volume levels of the background music and main audio to achieve a balanced and pleasant listening experience.

5 FAQs

Q1: Can I add multiple background music tracks to a single video clip?

A1: Yes, some video editing apps allow you to layer multiple background music tracks to create a more dynamic audio experience. However, be mindful of how the different tracks blend together to avoid overwhelming the viewer.

Q2: Are there copyright restrictions when using background music in my video clips?

A2: Yes, using copyrighted music without permission may result in copyright infringement. It is crucial to either obtain the necessary licenses or use royalty-free music to avoid legal issues.

Q3: How do I adjust the volume levels of the background music and main audio?

A3: Most video editing apps provide options to adjust the volume levels of different audio tracks. Explore the audio settings within the app to find the controls for adjusting the volume.

Q4: Can I fade the background music in and out?

A4: Yes, many video editing apps allow you to apply fade-in and fade-out effects to the background music. These effects can create smooth transitions and prevent abrupt audio changes.

Q5: Is it necessary to credit the background music artist?

A5: If you are using licensed or Creative Commons music, it is generally recommended to credit the artist as per the license requirements. However, check the specific license terms to verify whether attribution is necessary.

Final Thoughts

Adding background music