Music has the power to transform a simple video into an captivating and memorable experience. The right track can evoke emotions, set the pace, and grab your audience‘s attention. While video editing can seem intimidating, Canva has made it easier than ever to enhance your videos with music and audio, even if you have no prior experience.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll walk you through the process of adding music to your Canva videos in 9 detailed steps. Whether you‘re creating a social media post, a marketing video, or a personal project, these tips will help you elevate your video content and engage your viewers like never before.
Step 1: Prepare Your Canva Video Project
Before diving into the audio aspect, make sure your video project is set up correctly in Canva. If you‘re starting from scratch, click "Create a design" and choose the "Video" option. Select the dimensions that suit your intended platform, such as square (1:1) for Instagram posts or 16:9 widescreen for YouTube videos.
If you‘re editing an existing project, open it in Canva and head to the timeline view. This is where you‘ll arrange your video clips and add your audio tracks. Make sure your video clips are in the desired order before proceeding.
Step 2: Explore Canva‘s Audio Library
Canva offers an extensive built-in library of audio tracks, including music and sound effects, to enhance your videos. To access the library, click the "Elements" tab on the left sidebar and select the "Audio" category.
The audio library is organized into various sections such as "Featured," "Music," and "Sound effects." You can browse through these categories or use the search bar to find specific types of audio, like "upbeat music" or "nature sounds."
Keep in mind that some audio tracks, marked with a crown icon, are exclusively available to Canva Pro subscribers. However, there are still plenty of free options to choose from.
Category | Description |
---|---|
Featured | Curated selection of popular and trending audio tracks |
Music | Wide range of genres, moods, and instruments (e.g., pop, instrumental, ambient) |
Sound effects | Short audio clips like applause, laughter, or transitions |
To preview an audio track, simply click the play button. When you find a track you like, click it to add it to your video timeline.
Step 3: Add Audio from Canva‘s Library to Your Timeline
Once you‘ve selected an audio track from Canva‘s library, it will appear as a purple bar on a new layer in your video timeline. Here‘s a step-by-step breakdown:
- Click the desired audio track in the library to add it to your project.
- The audio track will automatically be placed at the beginning of your timeline.
- Click and drag the purple audio bar to position it where you want the music to start in your video.
- To trim the audio clip, hover your cursor over the beginning or end of the purple bar until a white double-arrow appears, then click and drag to adjust the length.
You can add multiple audio tracks to your timeline, which is useful for layering music with sound effects or voiceovers. Simply repeat the process above to add more audio clips.
Step 4: Upload Your Own Audio to Canva
If you have a specific song or audio file you‘d like to use in your video, you can easily upload it to Canva. This is a great option if you‘ve purchased a license for a particular track or have obtained permission to use a piece of music.
To upload your own audio:
- Click the "Uploads" tab on the left sidebar.
- Click the "Upload media" button and select "Audio."
- Choose the audio file from your computer. Canva supports common audio formats like MP3, WAV, and M4A.
- Once uploaded, your audio clip will appear in the "Uploads" section. Click it to add it to your video timeline.
When using your own audio, it‘s crucial to ensure you have the necessary rights and permissions, especially if you plan to use the video for commercial purposes. Websites like Epidemic Sound, Artlist, and Soundstripe offer royalty-free music licenses for content creators and businesses.
If you choose to use copyrighted music, be prepared to obtain a synchronization (sync) license from the copyright holder and properly credit the artist in your video description or end screen.
Step 5: Record a Voiceover Directly in Canva
Canva‘s "Record yourself" feature allows you to easily add voiceovers or narrations to your videos without the need for external recording software. All you need is a computer with a built-in or external microphone.
To record a voiceover:
- Click the "Uploads" tab on the left sidebar.
- Click the purple "Record yourself" button.
- If prompted, allow Canva to access your microphone.
- Click the red "Start recording" button and begin speaking your voiceover.
- When finished, click "Stop recording."
- Your recording will appear in the "Uploads" section. Click it to add it to your video timeline.
For the best audio quality, record in a quiet room with minimal background noise. If possible, use an external microphone rather than your computer‘s built-in mic. Before recording, take some time to plan out your voiceover script and practice your delivery.
Tip | Description |
---|---|
Minimize background noise | Choose a quiet room and close windows and doors |
Use an external microphone | USB or XLR mics offer better sound quality than built-in mics |
Position the microphone correctly | Speak directly into the mic, about 6-12 inches away |
Prepare a script | Write out and practice your voiceover for a smooth delivery |
Step 6: Edit and Arrange Audio Clips on the Timeline
With your audio clips added to the timeline, you can now fine-tune their placement and length to perfectly sync with your video content.
To trim an audio clip:
- Click the purple audio bar on the timeline to select it.
- Hover your cursor over the beginning or end of the bar until a white double-arrow appears.
- Click and drag to trim the clip to your desired length.
To split an audio clip:
- Position the playhead (the white vertical line) where you want to split the clip.
- Right-click the purple audio bar and select "Split."
- You can now move or delete each portion of the split clip independently.
To adjust fade in/out:
- Click the purple audio bar to select it.
- In the toolbar above the video preview, click "Audio effects."
- Use the "Fade in" and "Fade out" sliders to create smooth transitions at the beginning and end of the clip.
To change the volume of an individual clip:
- Click the purple audio bar to select it.
- In the toolbar, click "Volume."
- Drag the slider left or right to decrease or increase the volume.
When arranging your audio clips, consider how they align with the visual elements in your video. For example, you may want a sound effect to play right when a new scene begins or a particular action occurs on screen.
Step 7: Mix and Enhance Your Audio
If your video includes multiple audio elements like music, sound effects, and voiceovers, it‘s important to balance their volumes and ensure each component is clearly audible.
One common technique is called "ducking," which involves lowering the volume of the background music during voiceovers or dialogue. This helps the speaker‘s voice stand out and maintains clarity.
To duck music during a voiceover in Canva:
- Select the music track on the timeline.
- In the toolbar, click "Volume."
- Drag the slider to the left to reduce the music volume during the portion where the voiceover plays.
- Repeat this process for any other sections where the music may overpower important audio.
Canva also offers basic audio filters like equalizer (EQ) settings, which allow you to boost or reduce specific frequency ranges. This can be helpful for removing low-end rumble or increasing the brightness of a voiceover.
Step 8: Export and Share Your Video with Music
Once you‘ve finished editing your video and are happy with the audio, it‘s time to export and share your creation.
To export your video:
- Click the "Share" button in the top-right corner of the editor.
- Select "Download."
- Choose "MP4 Video" as the file type.
- Select the desired video quality (higher quality = larger file size).
- Click "Download" to save the video to your computer.
You can also share your video directly to various social media platforms or generate a link to share with others.
When sharing your video, don‘t forget to credit the music artist or source if required by the license terms. You can include this information in the video description, comments, or even as an end screen in the video itself.
Step 9: Get Creative and Keep Experimenting
Adding music to your Canva videos is a fun and effective way to make your content more engaging and professional. As you become more comfortable with the process, don‘t be afraid to experiment with different audio elements and techniques.
Try combining multiple music tracks to create a unique soundscape, or use sound effects to punctuate key moments in your video. Play with volume levels and fades to create dynamic transitions and keep your viewers engaged.
Remember, the right music can make a world of difference in how your video is perceived and remembered. So take the time to find tracks that complement your visuals, evoke the desired emotions, and resonate with your target audience.
Conclusion
Incorporating music into your Canva videos is a powerful way to elevate your content and captivate your viewers. By following these 9 detailed steps, you‘ll be well on your way to creating stunning videos with perfectly synced audio.
Whether you choose to use Canva‘s built-in audio library, upload your own tracks, or record a voiceover directly in the editor, the platform offers a range of tools and features to make the process seamless and intuitive.
So dive in, get creative, and start crafting video content that stands out from the crowd. With Canva and the right music, the possibilities are endless!