Table of Contents

How to Add Background Music to a YouTube Video: A Pro’s Guide

Adding the right background music can elevate your YouTube video from amateur hour to a professional production, enhancing the viewing experience and emotionally connecting with your audience. We’ll dissect how you can achieve this, ensuring your videos resonate and engage.

The straightforward answer is this: You add background music to a YouTube video primarily during the editing phase using video editing software on your computer or mobile device, or directly within the YouTube Studio platform after uploading your video. The key is ensuring you have the legal right to use the music, either through licensing, royalty-free sources, or using YouTube’s own audio library.

Editing Software: The Powerhouse Approach

Using video editing software provides the most control and flexibility in adding background music. Here’s a breakdown:

Software Options

Numerous video editing programs cater to different skill levels and budgets:

Professional Powerhouses: Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro (Mac only). These offer extensive features for advanced editing and audio manipulation.
User-Friendly Options: Filmora, iMovie (Mac only), DaVinci Resolve (free and paid versions). These are generally easier to learn while still providing powerful editing capabilities.
Mobile Apps: InShot, KineMaster, PowerDirector. These are convenient for editing on the go.

Step-by-Step Guide: Using Video Editing Software

While the exact interface varies, the core process remains consistent:

Import Your Video and Music: Import your video clip and desired background music track into your chosen software.
Place on the Timeline: Drag both your video and audio onto the timeline. Your video will occupy the primary video track, and the music should be placed on a separate audio track below it.
Adjust Audio Levels: This is crucial. Your background music should complement your video’s audio, not overpower it. Lower the music’s volume significantly so it sits comfortably beneath the spoken dialogue or main sound effects. Use the audio mixer or gain controls to fine-tune the levels.
Trim and Edit: Trim the music track to fit the length of your video. Consider adding fades at the beginning and end for a smoother transition. Cut the music at points where you want it to be less prominent or silent altogether.
Enhance Audio: Many editing suites offer audio enhancement tools like noise reduction, equalization (EQ), and compression. Experiment to improve the overall clarity and balance of your audio.
Export Your Video: Once you’re satisfied, export your video in a suitable format (MP4 is recommended) for YouTube. Choose a resolution and frame rate that matches your original footage.

YouTube Studio: The Convenient Alternative

YouTube Studio offers a simplified way to add background music after you’ve uploaded your video. This is especially useful for quick edits or when you don’t need extensive audio manipulation.

Accessing YouTube Studio’s Audio Library

Upload Your Video: Upload your video to YouTube.
Navigate to YouTube Studio: Go to YouTube Studio (studio.youtube.com).
Select Your Video: Click “Content” in the left-hand menu, then select the video you want to edit.
Editor Tab: Click on the “Editor” tab in the left-hand menu of the video details page.
Audio Track: In the editor, look for the “Audio” section. Click the “+” (Add Track) button to access YouTube’s Audio Library.

Using YouTube’s Audio Library

Browse and Search: The Audio Library provides a vast collection of royalty-free music and sound effects. You can browse by genre, mood, artist, or duration. Use the search bar to find specific tracks.
Preview: Listen to different tracks to find one that suits your video.
Add to Video: Once you find a track you like, click “ADD” to add it to your video’s timeline.
Adjust Volume: Like with editing software, you can adjust the volume of the music track in the YouTube Studio editor.
Trim and Position: You can also trim the music track to fit the desired section of your video and adjust its position on the timeline.
Save Changes: Once you’re happy with the results, click “SAVE” to apply the changes to your video.

Legal Considerations: Avoiding Copyright Strikes

Using copyrighted music without permission can lead to your video being muted, taken down, or even legal action. Always ensure you have the right to use the music you choose.

Royalty-Free Music: Numerous websites offer royalty-free music libraries, such as Epidemic Sound, Artlist, and PremiumBeat. These usually require a subscription or one-time purchase.
Creative Commons Licenses: Some musicians release their work under Creative Commons licenses, which may allow you to use their music for free, provided you give proper attribution. Always read the license terms carefully.
YouTube Audio Library: YouTube’s Audio Library is a safe bet, as all the music there is pre-cleared for use on YouTube.
Explicit Permission: Obtain direct permission from the copyright holder (usually the musician or record label) to use their music. This usually involves a licensing agreement.

FAQs: Diving Deeper

Here are some common questions about adding background music to YouTube videos:

1. Can I use any song I want in my YouTube video if I give credit to the artist?

No. Attribution alone is not enough. Copyright law protects musical works. You need a license or permission from the copyright holder, or the music must be in the public domain or have a Creative Commons license that allows commercial use. Giving credit doesn’t circumvent copyright infringement.

2. What happens if I use copyrighted music without permission?

YouTube’s Content ID system is very sophisticated. It automatically detects copyrighted material in videos. Your video could be muted (audio removed), demonetized (ad revenue goes to the copyright holder), or even taken down entirely. Repeated offenses can lead to your channel being penalized.

3. How do I find royalty-free music for YouTube?

Search for “royalty-free music,” “stock music,” or “background music for YouTube” on Google. Reputable websites include Epidemic Sound, Artlist, PremiumBeat, AudioJungle, and Bensound. Always check the license terms carefully.

4. Is the YouTube Audio Library completely free to use?

Yes, all music and sound effects in the YouTube Audio Library are free to use in your YouTube videos. However, YouTube can change the library’s contents and terms at any time, so it’s wise to periodically check for updates.

5. How can I adjust the volume of the background music so it doesn’t overpower my voice?

The key is audio mixing. In your video editing software or YouTube Studio, lower the volume of the music track significantly. A good starting point is to reduce the music volume to around 10-20% of the video’s primary audio. Use headphones or studio monitors to accurately gauge the balance.

6. What are fades, and how do I use them?

Fades are gradual increases (fade-in) or decreases (fade-out) in volume. They create smoother transitions between sections of music or between music and silence. Most editing software allows you to easily apply fades to audio clips. Place a fade-in at the beginning of your music track and a fade-out at the end for a professional touch.

7. Can I use music I created myself in my YouTube videos?

Yes, if you own the copyright to the music, you are free to use it in your videos. This includes music you composed and recorded yourself.

8. What are some good genres of music to use for background music?

The best genre depends on the tone and style of your video. Upbeat and energetic music works well for vlogs or tutorials. Calming and atmospheric music is suitable for travel videos or documentaries. Experiment with different genres to find what works best for your content.

9. Should I loop my background music if it’s shorter than my video?

Looping can sound repetitive, so it’s generally not recommended for extended periods. If you must loop, try to find a longer track or edit the loop points to make it less obvious. A better alternative is to find multiple tracks that fit the overall mood and alternate between them.

10. Is it possible to remove background music from a video that I’ve already uploaded to YouTube?

Yes, you can remove or replace the background music using the YouTube Studio editor. Simply remove the existing audio track and add a new one from the Audio Library or upload your own.

11. What if I want to use a popular song but can’t afford a license?

Consider using a cover version of the song (performed by another artist) if it is properly licensed. Alternatively, explore royalty-free music libraries that offer tracks inspired by popular songs.

12. How do I give proper credit to the artist when using Creative Commons music?

Always check the specific terms of the Creative Commons license. Typically, you need to credit the artist, the title of the song, the license type, and provide a link to the license. Include this information in the video description. Example: “Music: [Song Title] by [Artist Name] is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution [License Version] license. [Link to License]”.

By following these guidelines and being mindful of copyright laws, you can effectively add background music to your YouTube videos and create a more engaging and professional viewing experience for your audience.