Mastering the Instagram Soundtrack: A Comprehensive Guide to Editing Music

Want to spice up your Instagram post with the perfect tune, but need to tweak it just right? You’ve come to the right place. Editing the song on an Instagram post involves several steps, primarily done before you actually publish the post. You can’t directly edit the song after posting. The process revolves around choosing the right section of the song to highlight within the app’s interface during the creation of your Reel, Story, or regular feed post. You’ll select your desired song from Instagram’s music library, and then use the song selection tool to pinpoint the exact 5-90 second clip (depending on the format) that best complements your visual content. Let’s break down exactly how to do this.

Adding and Editing Music in Instagram Reels

Reels are the heart of engaging content on Instagram, and music plays a vital role. Here’s how to ace that soundtrack:

Selecting Your Music

1. Start a New Reel: Tap the “+” icon at the bottom of your screen and select “Reel.”
2. Record or Upload Video: Create your video content directly within the Reels interface or upload it from your camera roll.
3. The Music Note Icon: Look for the music note icon on the left-hand side of the screen. Tap it.
4. Browse or Search: You’ll be presented with Instagram’s music library. Browse trending tracks, explore genres, or search for a specific song.
5. Preview is Key: Before committing, tap the play button next to each song to preview it.

Editing the Song Clip

1. The Slider’s Power: Once you’ve chosen your song, you’ll see a waveform slider at the bottom of the screen. This is your editing tool.
2. Precision Timing: Drag the slider left or right to choose the exact 5-90 second section of the song you want to use in your Reel. Pay attention to the rhythm and how it syncs with your visuals.
3. Listen and Adjust: Play the clip along with your video to ensure the timing is perfect. You can adjust the slider as many times as needed.
4. Fine-Tuning: Some Reels editing features allow you to adjust the volume of the music relative to the original audio of your video. Look for a mixing option to balance the sound.

Post-Selection Considerations

While you can’t edit the song once the Reel is posted, you can delete the Reel and start over if you’re unhappy with your choice. Think of this as a pre-publication editing process.

Adding and Editing Music in Instagram Stories

Stories are a quick and engaging way to share moments. Here’s how to make them even better with music:

The Sticker Approach

1. Create Your Story: Take a photo or video within the Stories interface or upload one from your camera roll.
2. Sticker Time: Tap the sticker icon (a square with a smiley face) at the top of the screen.
3. The Music Sticker: Select the “Music” sticker.
4. Search and Preview: Similar to Reels, you can browse trending songs, explore genres, or search for a specific track. Preview before you select.

Precise Song Selection

1. The Slider Returns: Once you’ve chosen a song, the waveform slider will appear.
2. 15-Second Snippets: Stories typically allow for shorter music clips, usually up to 15 seconds.
3. Drag and Drop: Drag the slider to select the perfect 15-second segment.
4. Lyrics Display: Some songs have lyrics that can be displayed on your Story. You can choose the style and placement of the lyrics to enhance the visual appeal.

Story Specifics

Remember, Stories are ephemeral. If you don’t like the music selection, simply discard the Story before posting and start over.

Adding and Editing Music in Regular Feed Posts

While less common, you can add music to a regular feed post, especially if it includes a video. The process is similar to Reels, but with some key differences:

The Music Addition

1. Create Your Post: Upload your photo or video as you normally would.
2. Advanced Settings: Before posting, scroll down to the “Advanced settings” option.
3. Add Music: In the advanced settings, you should see an option to “Add Music.”
4. Select Your Track: Browse or search for the desired song from the Instagram music library.

Limited Editing

The editing capabilities for feed posts are often more limited than Reels. You’ll likely still have a slider to select a portion of the song, but the available length and fine-tuning options may be reduced.

Final Considerations

As with Reels and Stories, experiment before you post. Preview the post with the music to ensure it complements your visual content. If you’re not happy, edit again before publishing.

Important Notes About Instagram’s Music Library

• Copyright: Instagram has licensing agreements with major record labels. However, using copyrighted music for commercial purposes (e.g., promoting a business) can still be tricky. Always review Instagram’s music usage guidelines to avoid potential copyright issues.
• Business Accounts: Business accounts may have access to a different music library than personal accounts. This is due to licensing restrictions.
• Availability: The availability of specific songs can vary depending on your region due to licensing agreements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I edit the music on an Instagram post after it’s already been published?

No. You cannot directly edit the music on an Instagram post (Reel, Story, or feed post) after it has already been published. Your only option is to delete the post and recreate it with the desired music changes.

2. How long can the music clip be on an Instagram Reel?

Instagram Reels allow music clips to be between 5 and 90 seconds long. This depends on the total length of the Reel itself.

3. How long can the music clip be on an Instagram Story?

Music clips on Instagram Stories are typically limited to 15 seconds.

4. Why can’t I find a specific song in Instagram’s music library?

There are several reasons why a song might not be available:

• Licensing Restrictions: The song may not be licensed for use on Instagram in your region.
• Copyright Issues: Instagram may have removed the song due to copyright claims.
• Incorrect Spelling: Double-check that you’re spelling the song title and artist correctly.
• Business Account Limitations: Business accounts may have a more limited music library than personal accounts.

5. Can I use my own music in an Instagram Reel or Story?

No, you cannot directly upload your own music to use within the Instagram app itself. You are restricted to using the tracks available in their music library. Workarounds could include adding the desired music to your video before importing it into Instagram. This can be achieved through external video editing software.

6. How do I adjust the volume of the music in relation to the original audio of my video?

Within the Reels editing interface, look for a “volume control” or “audio mixing” option (represented by a sound mixer icon). This will allow you to independently adjust the volume levels of the music track and the original sound recorded in your video. This ensures a good balance and avoids one drowning out the other.

7. What are Instagram’s guidelines regarding music usage for business accounts?

Business accounts should be particularly cautious about using copyrighted music. Review Instagram’s terms of service and community guidelines for specific details. Generally, using music for promotional purposes requires the appropriate licenses. Instagram’s music library for business accounts might have more limited options due to these restrictions.

8. Can I add lyrics to my Instagram Story using the music sticker?

Yes, some songs within the Instagram music library have lyrics that can be displayed on your Story. When you select a song with lyrics, you’ll have the option to choose how the lyrics are displayed (e.g., different fonts, animations, and placements).

9. How do I remove the music from an Instagram Reel or Story?

If you’re still in the editing process, simply tap on the music note icon (or the music sticker in Stories) and look for an option to “remove music” or “delete track.” The exact wording may vary depending on the app version.

10. Can I use different sections of the same song in different parts of my Reel?

Unfortunately, no. You can only select one specific section of a song for use in a single Reel. If you want to use multiple sections of the same song, you’ll need to create separate Reels and stitch them together or use external video editing software.

11. Does the music library vary from one country to another?

Yes, the availability of specific songs can vary from country to country due to licensing agreements. A song that’s available in the United States might not be available in Europe, for example.

12. I’m having trouble finding the music editing options. What should I do?

• Update Instagram: Make sure you have the latest version of the Instagram app installed.
• Check Internet Connection: A stable internet connection is required to access the music library.
• Restart the App: Try closing and reopening the Instagram app.
• Contact Instagram Support: If you’re still experiencing problems, contact Instagram’s support team for assistance.