Blog

How to Put Music to Imovie

Are you tired of watching your iMovie projects without any background music? Adding music to your iMovie projects can make a huge difference in the overall experience for your audience. Whether you are creating a home video or a professional project, adding some music can increase viewer engagement and make your project more interesting to watch. In this article, we will walk you through different methods to put music to iMovie.

Video Tutorial:

What’s Needed:

Before we get to the different methods, there are a few things you need to have in place. First, you’ll need an iMovie project that you want to add music to. Second, you’ll need some music files that you’d like to add. There are a few options for where you can get music files. You can choose to use royalty-free music from websites like Free Music Archive or AudioJungle, or you can use music you’ve purchased from iTunes. Lastly, you’ll need a Mac computer with iMovie installed.

What Requires Your Focus?

When it comes to adding music to iMovie, you need to focus on a few key elements to make your project standout. Firstly, you should pay attention to the tempo and rhythm of your music. You want to choose music that matches the mood and pace of your project. Secondly, make sure your music isn’t too loud. You don’t want the music to drown out your dialogue. Lastly, ensure that the music is properly licensed and that you have the rights to use it in your project.

Different Methods to Put Music to iMovie:

Method 1: Adding Music from iTunes

If you’ve purchased music from iTunes, you can easily add it to your iMovie project using the following steps:

  1. First, open your iMovie project and choose the "Audio" icon at the top of the screen.
  2. Select "iTunes" from the menu on the left side of the screen.
  3. Browse your music library or use the search bar to find the song you want to add.
  4. Click and drag the song onto the track labeled "Drag Audio Here" in your project timeline.

Pros:

  • Quick and easy for users who already have music in their iTunes library.

Cons:

  • Limited to only music purchased from iTunes.

Method 2: Uploading Music from Local Files

If you have music files saved on your computer that you’d like to add to iMovie, you can use the following steps:

  1. Open your iMovie project and choose the "Audio" icon at the top of the screen.
  2. Select "Import Media" from the menu on the left side of the screen.
  3. Find the music file you want to add in your file explorer and click "Import Selected".
  4. Click and drag the song onto the track labeled "Drag Audio Here" in your project timeline.

Pros:

  • Allows users to add any music file they have saved on their computer.

Cons:

  • Music files can take up significant storage space on your computer.

Method 3: Importing Music from YouTube or Audio Websites

If you don’t have any music saved on your computer, but still want to find some great tunes to add to your project, you can use YouTube or audio websites to find music by following these steps:

  1. Open your preferred audio website or YouTube and search for music that is royalty-free or licensed for use in projects like yours.
  2. Once you’ve found a song you want to use, you can use a YouTube to MP3 converter to download the song from YouTube if music downloading is not restricted.
  3. Open iMovie and choose the "Audio" icon at the top of the screen.
  4. Select "Import Media" from the menu on the left side of the screen.
  5. Find the downloaded song on your computer and click "Import Selected".
  6. Click and drag the song onto the track labeled "Drag Audio Here" in your project timeline.

Pros:

  • Allows users to find and add a wide range of music to their projects.
  • Royalty-free or licensed music from these websites is often free or relatively inexpensive.

Cons:

  • Downloading music from YouTube may infringe on copyright laws if creators have protection for their works.

Why Can’t I Add Music to iMovie?

There may be a few reasons you’re having trouble adding music to iMovie:

  1. You may not have music saved on your computer or in iTunes.
  2. The music file you’re trying to add may not be compatible with iMovie.
  3. Your iMovie version may not support adding music files.

If you’re having trouble adding music to iMovie, try checking your music files are compatible with iMovie or updating to the latest version of iMovie.

Implications and Recommendations:

Adding music to your iMovie project can increase viewer engagement and make your project more interesting to watch. When adding music to your project, make sure to choose music that matches the mood and pace of your project. You should also ensure that the music is properly licensed and that you have the rights to use it in your project. Lastly, make sure that the music isn’t too loud and that it complements the tone of your project to enhance the overall experience for your audience.

5 FAQ’s about How to Put Music to iMovie:

Q1: Can I use copyrighted music in my iMovie project?

A1: No, you should not use copyrighted music in your iMovie project. Copyright laws protect music creators’ rights, and unauthorized use can result in legal penalties and fees. Instead, look for music that is royalty-free or licensed for use in projects like yours.

Q2: Can I add music from Spotify or other streaming music services?

A2: No, currently, it’s not possible to add music from streaming music services like Spotify to iMovie since the streaming music services have some limitations for file downloading or exporting.

Q3: Does iMovie have built-in music?

A3: Yes, iMovie has a library of sound effects and music that you can use in your projects. You can find them by clicking on the "Audio" button and selecting "iMovie Sound Effects" or "iMovie Music".

Q4: How can I remove the audio from a clip in iMovie?

A4: You can remove the audio from a clip in iMovie by selecting the clip, then right-click the clip and choosing "Detach Audio". The audio will then be deleted from that clip.

Q5: Can I change the volume level of the added music in iMovie?

A5: Yes, you can change the volume level of the added music in iMovie. First, click on the audio clip in your timeline, and then use the volume slider in the top left corner of the screen to adjust the volume level to your desired level.

In Conclusion:

Adding music to iMovie can make a significant difference in the overall experience for your audience. Depending on your preference or materials, you can choose to add music from iTunes, local files, or find audio on the internet. While adding music, focus on a few key elements such as tempo, mood matching, and volume control. Plus, ensure that the music is properly licensed and that you have the rights to use it in your project. When done correctly, adding music to your iMovie project can enhance viewer engagement and make your project more interesting to watch.