Let's face it: iMovie's audio library kinda sucks. In this short tutorial, you'll learn how to add music to iMovie — on both Mac and iPhone — and make better videos as a result.
With iMovie, Apple offers a world of opportunity to anyone interested in making videos.
The software allows you to cut clips, add transitions, overlay titles, and much more — all for free. But if you've ever used it, you likely know that iMovie's seven-song music library is… shall we say, underwhelming?
With iMovie for iOS on your iPad, you can quickly and easily cut your casual videos, spruce them up with themes, mix video with still photos, and add effects, music, and cool-looking titles. I have a video I made using iMovie. The project itself plays fine and is perfectly in sync in iMovie. However, as soon as it is shared as a file, the audio is now about a half second off. I don't know what to do to fix this. Can someone help? Latest Version of iMovie and MacOS. How to open iMovie for iOS projects on your Mac. Open iMovie for OS X on your Mac. If you used AirDrop or iTunes, you'll find your iMovie for iOS project in your Mac's Downloads folder. Otherwise, you can select the following menu in iMovie: File Import iMovie iOS Projects.
The good news is you're not stuck with that tiny, trite collection. Adding other music to your videos in iMovie is a breeze. Let's walk through the short steps for both Mac and iOS devices now.
Recommended reading: How to Create a Quicktime Screen Recording with Audio »
1. Download music for iMovie
In a perfect world, you'd be able to add any song you want to your video. But in reality, it's usually not that straightforward.
To adhere to copyright laws, all major video platforms — including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Vimeo — enforce certain music policies. Here's YouTube's, for example.
If you violate these policies, your video may be removed or monetized through ads (to pay the copyright holders). And here's the kicker: This applies for both commercial and personal use.
So, even if you're just sharing a photo slideshow of your nephew's bar mitzvah (mazel tov!) on Facebook, your video may be removed if it contains protected music.
The simplest solution? License copyright-cleared music.
Copyright-cleared music isn't copyright-free (a common misconception). It just means it's been approved for use on various platforms. As a result, videos with copyright-cleared music don't get flagged, taken down, or penalized in any other way.
All of the music I offer on this website is copyright-cleared. So you can safely license any of my songs or — if you want to dramatically increase your musical options —become a Music for Makers Unlimited customer. When you do, you'll get instant access to hundreds of exclusive tracks that you can then import into iMovie.
But I digress.
Regardless of where you decide to source your music, go ahead and download your song of choice on your computer and open it in iTunes. (If you're going to be working on iOS and don't want to use iTunes for some reason, you can alternatively upload the file to your iCloud Drive.)
Want more content like this? Subscribe to our email newsletter for video editing tips, free music, and more.
2. Import music to iMovie
Get your music handy. It's time to bring it into iMovie and make some magic.
How to add music to iMovie on a Mac
Open your iMovie project and click the 'Audio' tab in the top left. (Make sure 'iTunes' is selected in the left panel.) You should then see your entire iTunes library. Search for the song you'd like to use — the one you just added to iTunes in the previous step.
https://ixwshb.over-blog.com/2021/01/scrivener-2-80-3-download-free.html. Pro tip: On a Mac, you can also simply drag and drop audio files into iMovie's media folder (or import by clicking the down arrow button in the top left side of the window) and skip the whole iTunes bit entirely. https://floordownload.mystrikingly.com/blog/gimp-para-windows.
How to add music to iMovie on iPhone / iOS
Open your iMovie project, tap the '+' button, and select 'Audio.' On the following menu, tap 'Songs,' and then find the song you'd like to use. (Can't locate it? Make sure you've synced your iTunes library since adding the song on your computer.)
If you uploaded the song to your iCloud Drive rather than iTunes, select 'iCloud Drive' instead of 'Audio,' and navigate to the song file.
3. Add music and edit as necessary
Once you've found your song, drag it to the very bottom of the editing timeline component. (On iOS, just tap the song to have it automatically added.) This will anchor the track, ensuring it doesn't get affected by any cuts or edits you make to other audio and video files.
Now, the odds are good that your background music won't be the perfect length for your video. If it's too long, grab the right side of the track and drag left. Then, click the fade handle (i.e., the small circle on the right edge of the track — I believe this is available on the Mac version of iMovie only) and drag it left to create a fade out.
If the track is too short, you'll probably need to loop it. For tips on that, check out my beginner's guide to audio editing.
Get your groove on
Ready to add music to iMovie and make some awesome videos? License a track from our library of royalty-free, copyright-cleared music.
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iMovie is a free video editing tool for Apple's users. iMovie is easy to use. However, you might encounter iMovie problems and issues sometimes. The most common issues are iMovie problems since macOS Sierra update, iMovie export problems, iMovie import problems. Whenever you encounter problems while using iMovie, you're supposed to calm down and find the solution quickly. Below we're going to discuss about the top 10 common iMovie issues the best solutions.
Part 1. Best iMovie Alternative to Fix All iMovie Probelms - Recommended
Filmora Video Editor is the best alternative to iMovie for Mac (macOS 10.13 High Sierra included) I'd like to recommend to you. It's easy to use, even for beginners in editing videos can start the editing right away. As for the features, Filmora Video Editor provides you with handy video editing tools and free video effects, including trimming, rotating, splitting, cropping, adding background music, and effects like transitions, filters, texts, overlays, intro/credit, PIP, green screen, motion graphics, and so on.
Why Recommend This iMovie Alternative:
- Best for beginners and professionals with easy-to-use interface and advanced editing tools.
- Come with 300+ new effects to personalize your video, including filters, overlay, PIP, motion graphics, etc.
- Support edit video, audio and photo in any format, and you can edit 4K videos and GIF files.
- Simply drag and drop to import files from cameras, phones and export files in many ways in high quality.
Part 2. Top 10 Common iMovie Problems and Solutions
1. Poor camera connection
You will at more than one instance find that your camera's connectivity to the iMovie is not up to the required standards. That is one of the problems that you will with no doubt have to deal with when you are importing your footage directly from the camera. The problem could have arisen from a variety of factors that include incompatibility of the USB cable on either the iMovie or camera.
The best solution for that is replacing the USB cable with another output option like FireWire. https://downxup619.weebly.com/carrot-weather-talking-forecast-robot-1-0.html. If you are using a camcorder, it will require nothing more than using the guidelines given out in the user manual. If followed strictly, it will not be challenging having the camera sync well with the iMovie.
2. Slowed speed
It is not unusual to have the iMovie running slow when editing movies and videos. This can be as a result of the program being given too many commands at the same time which it might be unable to dispense simultaneously. When that happens, the iMovie will definitely end up being slow in functioning. The ideal solution to this is ensuring that iMovie is not overworked so be very keen on the commands you give it. Every command should be given at a time and in a systematic manner.
There are times when slow functioning of iMovie results from inadequate memory which can also be addressed easily. Delete all the files that are not necessary in the project because they end up eating too much of the available storage space. Don't allow any idle files to sit in the iMovie if you know the storage space is not enough. Alternatively, you can countercheck the memory requirements of the movie to be edited and the capacity offered by iMovie in advance to know whether they match. That can be a good solution to cushion the program from enduring this problem.
3. iMovie not exporting
It might not be as smooth as you expect when exporting movies from iMovie and it is a huge problem. You might end up with a mix-up of audio and video files as they compete for space. The files cannot compete if the storage space is adequate and your troubleshooting must begin from that. Check the space available to determine if it's the cause of the problem arising from movie exporting.
If that is not the cause, it might be that the original project was corrupted in one way or another. Definitely, you will have to come up with a fresh project if that is the situation. You must go to the extreme in making sure the problems associated with movie exporting are completely dealt with.
4. Lacks sound
Never take anything for granted that your iMovie project must have quality sound. You will be surprised to note that leave alone having poor quality sound, there will be no sound at all. Wrong preferences can cause this problem so you need to make sure that all the settings are adjusted properly. Another cause can be incompatible format which is not supported by iMovie. The solution will be converting the files to a format that is friendly to iMovie and the sound will play normally.
5. Files distortion
Whether its video or audio files, they might suffer distortion if the right exporting and importing procedures are not followed. You might get the video quality looking questionable while audio will not be very clear as you expect. To avoid that from happening, make sure you export or import files of right size that the iMovie can handle without damaging the original quality. Also, everything touching on editing has to be done in the timeline and nowhere else. That is the natural editing section in iMovie and any violation will cause file distortion.
Imovie Sync Photos And Music Studio
6. iMovie crashing
This is a problem of iMovie that needs no introduction. It can be as a result of corrupted files and being overworked which many users do knowingly. You must observe the right workload for your iMovie to prevent it from crashing. File corruption will be occasioned by the presence of viruses in the computer system and carrying out a thorough scan will help to solve the issue. Scan the system as many times as often to maintain it clean and free from viruses.
7. Error creating DVDs
It is possible to convert movies from iMovie to DVD but length will matter a lot. For instance, short movies will be converted flawlessly but problems will start manifesting once there are longer movies to handle with iMovie. The source of the problem might be low RAM or an incompatible Mac system. In case you determine that's the basis of the problem, it will be advisable that you improve on its RAM as well as change your Mac system to a friendlier one. Alternatively, you can choose to ignore the iDVD feature in iMovie and convert the movies to DVD directly.
8. Ineffective trailer
You would want to announce the expected unveiling of your new movie with a trailer but it frustrates you unexpectedly. If it happens, that can be the worst of the problems that you will experience with iMovie. This will include selecting the best clips and music but end up experiencing unanticipated hitches.
Filmora Video Editor is the best alternative to iMovie for Mac (macOS 10.13 High Sierra included) I'd like to recommend to you. It's easy to use, even for beginners in editing videos can start the editing right away. As for the features, Filmora Video Editor provides you with handy video editing tools and free video effects, including trimming, rotating, splitting, cropping, adding background music, and effects like transitions, filters, texts, overlays, intro/credit, PIP, green screen, motion graphics, and so on.
Why Recommend This iMovie Alternative:
- Best for beginners and professionals with easy-to-use interface and advanced editing tools.
- Come with 300+ new effects to personalize your video, including filters, overlay, PIP, motion graphics, etc.
- Support edit video, audio and photo in any format, and you can edit 4K videos and GIF files.
- Simply drag and drop to import files from cameras, phones and export files in many ways in high quality.
Part 2. Top 10 Common iMovie Problems and Solutions
1. Poor camera connection
You will at more than one instance find that your camera's connectivity to the iMovie is not up to the required standards. That is one of the problems that you will with no doubt have to deal with when you are importing your footage directly from the camera. The problem could have arisen from a variety of factors that include incompatibility of the USB cable on either the iMovie or camera.
The best solution for that is replacing the USB cable with another output option like FireWire. https://downxup619.weebly.com/carrot-weather-talking-forecast-robot-1-0.html. If you are using a camcorder, it will require nothing more than using the guidelines given out in the user manual. If followed strictly, it will not be challenging having the camera sync well with the iMovie.
2. Slowed speed
It is not unusual to have the iMovie running slow when editing movies and videos. This can be as a result of the program being given too many commands at the same time which it might be unable to dispense simultaneously. When that happens, the iMovie will definitely end up being slow in functioning. The ideal solution to this is ensuring that iMovie is not overworked so be very keen on the commands you give it. Every command should be given at a time and in a systematic manner.
There are times when slow functioning of iMovie results from inadequate memory which can also be addressed easily. Delete all the files that are not necessary in the project because they end up eating too much of the available storage space. Don't allow any idle files to sit in the iMovie if you know the storage space is not enough. Alternatively, you can countercheck the memory requirements of the movie to be edited and the capacity offered by iMovie in advance to know whether they match. That can be a good solution to cushion the program from enduring this problem.
3. iMovie not exporting
It might not be as smooth as you expect when exporting movies from iMovie and it is a huge problem. You might end up with a mix-up of audio and video files as they compete for space. The files cannot compete if the storage space is adequate and your troubleshooting must begin from that. Check the space available to determine if it's the cause of the problem arising from movie exporting.
If that is not the cause, it might be that the original project was corrupted in one way or another. Definitely, you will have to come up with a fresh project if that is the situation. You must go to the extreme in making sure the problems associated with movie exporting are completely dealt with.
4. Lacks sound
Never take anything for granted that your iMovie project must have quality sound. You will be surprised to note that leave alone having poor quality sound, there will be no sound at all. Wrong preferences can cause this problem so you need to make sure that all the settings are adjusted properly. Another cause can be incompatible format which is not supported by iMovie. The solution will be converting the files to a format that is friendly to iMovie and the sound will play normally.
5. Files distortion
Whether its video or audio files, they might suffer distortion if the right exporting and importing procedures are not followed. You might get the video quality looking questionable while audio will not be very clear as you expect. To avoid that from happening, make sure you export or import files of right size that the iMovie can handle without damaging the original quality. Also, everything touching on editing has to be done in the timeline and nowhere else. That is the natural editing section in iMovie and any violation will cause file distortion.
Imovie Sync Photos And Music Studio
6. iMovie crashing
This is a problem of iMovie that needs no introduction. It can be as a result of corrupted files and being overworked which many users do knowingly. You must observe the right workload for your iMovie to prevent it from crashing. File corruption will be occasioned by the presence of viruses in the computer system and carrying out a thorough scan will help to solve the issue. Scan the system as many times as often to maintain it clean and free from viruses.
7. Error creating DVDs
It is possible to convert movies from iMovie to DVD but length will matter a lot. For instance, short movies will be converted flawlessly but problems will start manifesting once there are longer movies to handle with iMovie. The source of the problem might be low RAM or an incompatible Mac system. In case you determine that's the basis of the problem, it will be advisable that you improve on its RAM as well as change your Mac system to a friendlier one. Alternatively, you can choose to ignore the iDVD feature in iMovie and convert the movies to DVD directly.
8. Ineffective trailer
You would want to announce the expected unveiling of your new movie with a trailer but it frustrates you unexpectedly. If it happens, that can be the worst of the problems that you will experience with iMovie. This will include selecting the best clips and music but end up experiencing unanticipated hitches.
To solve that problem, go to 'fonts' and open to activate all the fonts in case some are inactive. Come up with a new account, log in and iMovie will restart automatically. From there, you can visit 'disk utility' button, select 'repair permission' and then 'restart OSX'. That should have your movie trailer up and running effectively.
9. Annoying video effects
There are several video effects that you can add to movies in iMovie and they are specifically there to enhance quality and appeal. Unfortunately, some of the effects will end up annoying you once they fail to render successfully. That will be an iMovie rendering problems to do with improper rendering. You will have to follow the given guidelines for each and every effect if at all you want them to add to your movie correctly. Don't expect things to work out miraculously but your effort must count.
How To Add Music In Imovie
10. Unsatisfactory bend results
Free Imovie Songs
This is a general problem of iMovie that you will encounter at the close of the project. It can be unfinished project, poor quality video and audio or incompatible movies which will trace their source to one of the key steps involved. To make sure your iMovie does not deliver such disgusting results at the end of the movie project, be sure to follow all the outlined procedures from the start to the end without omission.
