Choose music that supports the edit

Balance a music bed and use transitions in sound deliberately.

Music changes how a scene feels before a viewer understands the words. A bright, light rhythm can suit a friendly tech review. A dense vocal song can compete with the review because the listener is trying to follow two sets of words at once. Choose by the job the music must do, not just by whether you like the track.

Start with the voice at a comfortable level, then bring the music up from silence until it supports the pace. If the first sentence becomes harder to understand, the music is too prominent for that moment. Use fades to avoid abrupt starts and stops. Ducking lowers music while speech is present; check that it does not audibly pump between every word.

The included practice-bed.wav is an original thirty-second rhythm for this course. It is useful for practising levels and fades, not a promise that one track will suit every genre. You can also use music you own or are licensed to use. A recognisable commercial song is not automatically permitted because it is available online.

Follow along in Vidmoat

1. Import practice-bed.wav through the media library and place it on an audio track.
2. Trim it to the edit length and start it quietly under the voice.
3. Apply short fades at the opening and ending.
4. Use Duck under speech if available, or lower the bed manually during narration.
5. Listen to the quietest sentence and the ending. Adjust levels and fades before exporting.

Your turn

Make one mix with music too loud, then a second with the voice clearly leading. Compare at the same device volume. Write what became easier to hear.

A common trap

A louder mix can feel more exciting in a quick comparison. Match playback volume before deciding it is better.

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