When it comes to creating videos, adding background music can give a great boost to the overall quality of your work. In Adobe After Effects, adding music is a task that is necessary for most projects. However, if you’re new to the software, it can be quite challenging to figure out how to do it. In this article, we will guide you through the process of adding background music on After Effects.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Adding Music on After Effects
For most beginners, the challenge when adding music on After Effects is the technicalities involved in the process. It could be daunting to figure out how to add music tracks which must be synced accurately with the video content. Furthermore, some of the audio tracks may be heavier than video. Hence, It will require that the perfect balance is maintained to produce good quality output.
Things You Should Prepare For
Before adding music on After Effects, there are some things you need to prepare to make the process smooth. Firstly, ensure that you have the latest version of After Effects downloaded and installed on your computer. Secondly, have the music track in good quality and be suitable for the video project that you’re working on. Lastly, you need to have a basic knowledge of how the After Effects interface works.
Method 1: Using the Timeline Method
With this method, you can add music on After Effects using the Timeline panel. The following are steps involved in using this method:
1. Open the After Effects software and start a new project.
2. Select "New Composition" from the menu that appears, followed by entering the project name, frame rate and duration of the project.
3. Import the music file by clicking "File" and then "Import". Select the music file from its location on your computer and import it into the project.
4. You will see the music file on the bottom of the screen in the "Project" tab. Drag it onto the "Timeline" panel to the same length as your video.
5. Click and drag the music layer to the point on the timeline where you want it to start playing in your video.
6. Adjust the volume of the music layer to the desired level by clicking on the music layer and then dragging the volume slider up or down.
7. Preview the video to check if the music and the video are playing correctly together.
Pros:
- Easier to coordinate music and video
- Effective method for beginners
- You have control over volume adjustment and duration
Cons:
- Time-consuming.
Method 2: Using the Drag and Drop Method
In this method, you can quickly add music tracks on Adobe After Effects. Follow these steps:
1. Open After Effects and go to “File”>“New Project."
2. Import the music file by clicking "File" and then "Import". Select the music file from its location on your computer.
3. Drag the music file from the project window to the “Timeline” panel at the bottom of the interface.
4. Adjust the volume of the music layer by clicking on the music layer and dragging the volume slider up or down.
5. Preview the video to check if the music and the video are playing correctly together.
Pros:
- Faster than the Timeline method
- Efficient operation
Cons:
- Have less control over volume adjustment and duration
Method 3: Using the Audio Amplitude Feature
This method is an advanced technique in adding music to After Effects. Follow these steps to use this method:
1. Start by creating a new composition, where you will import your audio file.
2. Right-click on your audio file and select the "Keyframe Assistant" followed by selecting the "Convert Audio to Keyframes" option.
3. Locate the "Effects" and "Presets" tab, followed by a search for "Audio Amplitude." Double-click on the option to apply it to your audio layer.
4. The "Audio Amplitude" settings are in the Effect Controls panel. Adjust the settings to your preference, for instance, the frequency bands and the threshold levels.
5. Click on the “stopwatch” icon beside frequency bands in the Timeline panel.
6. Your audio keyframes on the frequency bands are now visible on the timeline; you can move them around to adjust accordingly.
Pros:
- Ability to create visual effects like audio waveforms and amplitude
- Efficient method for syncing audio to the visual effects.
Cons:
- Time-consuming
- Might be complicated for beginners
Why Can’t I Add Music to My After Effects?
There are common reasons you might encounter difficulties adding music to Adobe After Effects, including:
1. Corrupted Audio File
Q: Why can’t I import my audio file into After Effects?
A: Audio files may become corrupted, hence making it difficult to import them into After Effects. Try and convert the audio file to a different format before importing the file again.
2. Setting Time Remap on the Music Layer
Q: Why is my music layer playing back too fast in After Effects?
A: If you have set the time remap to time-remapped layers in your projects, it may cause the music layer to play faster than the intended speed. Resetting the time remap can fix this issue.
3. Muting Audio
Q: Why can’t I hear the audio in After Effects?
A: The audio may be muted, so check the "Audio" switch next to each layer in the “Timeline” panel and ensure the audio switch is activated.
Additional Tips
1. Always choose the appropriate music file for the content.
2. Ensure that the music volume is the appropriate level and does not overshadow the visuals.
3. Set keyframes to make volume adjustments accordingly
4. Experiment with different methods to see which method is suitable for your project.
5 FAQs About Adding Music on Adobe After Effects
Q: How can I reduce the background music volume in AAE?
A: Adjust the volume level of the audio layer by clicking on the audio layer and moving the volume slider down.
Q: Can I use songs from any source?
A: No. Ensure that you have permission or proper license agreement before using any song.
Q: What’s the perfect format for adding music on After Effects?
A: The ideal audio format should be WAV files with sample rates of 44 kHz or higher.
Q: Will the music file in Adobe After Effects always be of good quality when I export the video?
A: Yes. The audio quality of the music file will remain in good condition provided that it is correctly synced and is of high quality.
Q: Is it possible to cut and edit audio tracks in After Effects?
A: Yes, it is possible to cut and edit the audio tracks using Adobe After Effects.
In Conclusion
Adding background music to a video project on After Effects can improve its overall quality. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, the above methods and tips can help you to add music effectively on After Effects. Always ensure that the music files are of high quality, properly synced to the video and appropriately licensed before using them.