Are you tired of uploading videos to YouTube that just don’t have that extra something? Do you feel like your content is missing that special spark to make it engaging and memorable? Maybe you need to add some music to your videos! In this article, we’ll show you how to add music to your YouTube videos, creating a more captivating and entertaining experience for your viewers.
By the end of this article, you’ll be able to effortlessly add your own music to your YouTube videos, making them stand out from the crowd. With our step-by-step guide, you’ll be able to add music to your videos with ease and confidence, enhancing the overall viewing experience. You’ll be able to evoke the right emotions and feelings from your viewers, making a lasting impact that they will remember for years to come.
We know that adding music to your videos can be a daunting task, especially if you’ve never done it before. That’s why we’ve created this article with easy-to-follow instructions, so you can quickly and easily add music to your videos. You’ll learn how to choose the right music, how to pair it with your video, and how to make sure it doesn’t violate any copyright laws. We’ll give you all the tools you need to create an unforgettable YouTube video that your viewers will love.
The Importance of Adding Music to Your YouTube Videos
Adding music to your YouTube videos can greatly impact the overall quality of your content. In this section, we will discuss the reasons why music is essential for YouTube videos and how it can enhance the viewer’s experience.
1. Establishes a mood and tone
Music plays an important role in setting the mood and tone of a video. The right music can create a specific atmosphere and evoke emotions, helping you to effectively tell your story or convey your message. For example, if you are creating a travel vlog about your adventures in a foreign country, you can use upbeat and cheerful music to portray a sense of excitement and enthusiasm. Conversely, if you are sharing a personal story about a difficult experience, you can use more mellow and reflective music to set a somber tone.
- Interesting Fact: According to a research study, music has been shown to significantly enhance the emotional impact of visual media.
- Real World Example: YouTube creator Mr. Beast uses music to great effect in his videos. He often uses upbeat and celebratory music when he is giving away large sums of money to people in need. This helps create a sense of joy and excitement for both the recipients and the viewers.
2. Increases engagement
Adding music to your YouTube videos can increase engagement from viewers. This is because music can help captivate an audience and hold their attention, making it more likely they will watch your content until the end. Additionally, music can make your video more memorable and shareable, which can result in increased views and subscribers.
- Interesting Fact: Studies have shown that people remember information better when it is presented with music.
- Real World Example: Australian YouTube creator Natalia Taylor found success by adding music to her video about a fake trip to Bali. The catchy and upbeat music helped increase engagement and make her video go viral.
3. Enhances production value
One of the benefits of adding music to your YouTube videos is that it can greatly increase the production value of your content. By selecting the right music, you can make your video appear more polished and professional. This, in turn, can help build your brand and lend credibility to your channel.
- Interesting Fact: According to a survey, 92% of marketers believe that video content is important for building brand awareness.
- Real World Example: Beauty YouTuber Jaclyn Hill adds music to her makeup tutorials to create a more professional and polished feel. The music helps enhance the production value of her videos and make them stand out from the competition.
4. Helps avoid copyright issues
Finally, adding music to your YouTube videos can help you avoid potential copyright issues. YouTube has strict copyright policies and regularly removes videos with unlicensed music. By using licensed music or royalty-free tracks, you can ensure that your videos will not be taken down or demonetized.
- Comparison: Licensed Music vs. Royalty-Free Music. While licensed music can be more expensive, it offers a wider range of options and can help support artists. Royalty-free music, on the other hand, is more affordable and convenient for those on a budget.
- Real World Example: YouTuber Casey Neistat faced copyright issues when he used an unlicensed track in one of his videos. As a result, he switched to using royalty-free music to avoid similar issues in the future.
| Pros of Adding Music | Cons of Adding Music |
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In conclusion, adding music to your YouTube videos can greatly enhance the viewer’s experience and make your content stand out. By using music to establish a mood, increase engagement, enhance production value, and avoid potential copyright issues, you can create more memorable and impactful videos.
Understanding the Different Types of Copyright Laws
When it comes to adding music to your YouTube video, it is crucial to understand the different types of copyright laws and how they can impact your content.
The Two Types of Copyright Laws
There are two types of copyright laws that you need to be aware of:
- Public Domain: These are works that are no longer protected by copyright and can be used freely without permission. Some common examples of public domain music include classical compositions or works from artists like Beethoven and Mozart.
- Copyright Protected: These are works that are protected by copyright law, and their use requires the permission of the copyright owner. Most popular songs that you hear on the radio or streaming services are copyright protected.
The Fair Use Doctrine
The Fair Use Doctrine is a provision of the copyright law that allows for the limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright owner. However, fair use must be applied on a case-by-case basis, and certain conditions must be met in order for the use to be considered “fair.”
The four factors of fair use include:
- The purpose and character of the use
- The nature of the copyrighted work
- The amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole
- The effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work
It is important to note that just because you believe your use falls under fair use, it doesn’t mean the copyright owner will agree. It is always best to obtain permission or use public domain music to avoid any potential legal issues.
Obtaining Permission to Use Copyrighted Music
If you want to use copyrighted music in your YouTube video, it is essential to obtain permission from the copyright owner.
There are a few ways you can obtain permission:
- Contact the copyright owner directly: This can be done by looking up the owner’s contact information or through a digital distribution service like ASCAP or BMI.
- Use a licensing service: There are several companies that provide licensing services for a fee, allowing you to use certain songs legally. Examples of licensing services include Epidemic Sound or AudioJungle.
Alternative Options: Using Royalty-Free and Creative Commons Music
An alternative to getting permission or licensing is to use royalty-free or Creative Commons music in your video.
Royalty-free music refers to a license that allows unlimited use of a song or track for a one-time fee. The music can be used in multiple projects without incurring additional costs. Examples of websites that offer royalty-free music include Shutterstock and PremiumBeat.
Creative Commons music is music that is free to use under certain conditions set by the copyright owner. These conditions can range from attributing the music to the owner to only using the music for non-commercial purposes. Some popular websites for Creative Commons music include ccMixter and Free Music Archive.
The Pros and Cons of Different Options
Before making a decision about which music to use in your YouTube video, it is essential to understand the pros and cons of different options:
| Pros | Cons | |
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| Public Domain |
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| Copyright Protected |
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| Royalty-Free |
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| Creative Commons |
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In conclusion, understanding the different types of copyright laws and licenses is crucial when adding music to your YouTube video. It is important to obtain permission or use royalty-free or Creative Commons music to avoid any legal issues. Consider the pros and cons of each option to make the best decision for your content.
Choosing the Right Music for Your YouTube Video
Music plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall appeal and impact of your YouTube video. It sets the mood, emotion, and tone of your content, making it more engaging and memorable for your target audience. But, selecting the right music for your YouTube video can be challenging, especially if you’re not familiar with music licensing, copyright laws, and different music genres. In this section, we’ll guide you on how to choose the right music for your YouTube video, which will complement your content and respect copyright laws.
Understanding music licensing and copyright laws
Before selecting music for your YouTube video, it’s essential to understand the basics of music licensing and copyright laws. As per the YouTube content ID system, any uploaded video with copyrighted music will get flagged, and either the video will get copyright strikes, or the owner of the music will monetize your video. It’s illegal to use copyrighted music without the owner’s permission, and it can harm your video’s credibility and reputation. You might have to face legal issues if you’re violating copyright laws. Therefore, it’s crucial to use licensed music.
- There are two types of music licenses:
- Royalty-Free License: It is a one-time payment, and you can use the music for commercial purposes without any royalties. It’s cost-effective and a popular option for YouTubers.
- Public Performance License: It’s required if you’re using music in public settings like concerts, theaters, or public events.
- How to get a license for the music
- Music libraries that provide music licenses like Epidemic Sound, Artlist.io, Shutterstock, and Audiojungle.
- You can also get music licenses from the artist directly, but it might be expensive and a lengthy process.
- The importance of reading the licensing agreement
- You must read and understand the licensing agreement before buying the music. It might have restrictions on usage, length, and distribution of the music.
- It’s wise to choose music that has a flexible licensing agreement so that you have better control over your content’s usage and distribution.
Choosing the music genre that suits your content
The music genre you select for your YouTube video should complement your content and enhance your video’s overall impact. Here’s how you can choose the right music genre:
- Understand your target audience and their preferences
- Your music choice should align with your target audience’s interests and preferences. A deep-dive into their demographic and psychographic data might give you a better understanding of their music tastes.
- Identify the message you want to convey with your video
- The music genre you choose should convey the message and emotion you want to exhibit through your video. A happy, upbeat music genre might not go well with a sad or serious video.
- Explore different music genres and experiment
- Try different music genres that might complement your content. For example, a fitness video might suit a motivational or energetic music genre.
- Experiment with different music tracks and check which performs best for your content.
Choosing the music that is in line with your brand or personality
The music you select for your YouTube video should align with your brand persona or personality. The right music should connect with your target audience and set the right tone for your content. Here’s how to select music that aligns with your brand or personality:
- Identify your brand’s persona or personality
- Your brand persona can influence the music genre and track you choose. For example, if you’re a fitness brand, upbeat music genres might suit your brand.
- Identify the value or emotion you want to exhibit
- The music you select should highlight the emotion or value you want to convey through your content.
- An inspirational music genre might suit a motivational brand persona.
- Check your competitor’s choice of music
- Check your competitors and related brands’ music choices and analyze which works best for their content.
- You can take inspiration from them and create unique music choices for your content.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Enhances the overall impact and appeal of your YouTube video – Sets the mood, tone, and emotion of your content – Forms an emotional connection with your target audience – Improves the video’s credibility and reputation |
– Can get flagged if used without proper licensing or copyright permissions – Might be expensive depending on the music choice and licensing agreement – Can harm your video’s credibility and reputation if used incorrectly |
In conclusion, selecting the right music for your YouTube video takes time, research, and an understanding of your target audience, your brand persona, and the music licensing and copyright laws. Ensure that your music choice is in line with your content, and it’s legal and licensed. The right music can turn an average YouTube video into an exceptional one that forms an emotional connection with your target audience.
The Best Websites to Find Free Music for Your YouTube Videos
Finding the perfect music to accompany your YouTube video can be a daunting task. You want to find something that matches the mood and tone of your video, but you also need to make sure that you have the rights to use the music without getting hit with a copyright claim. Thankfully, there are many websites that offer free music that you can use in your YouTube videos. In this article, we will explore some of the best websites to find free music for your YouTube videos, and provide tips on how to use the music legally.
1. YouTube Audio Library
YouTube Audio Library is a built-in feature of YouTube that offers a vast library of free music tracks that you can use in your videos without worrying about copyright infringement. The music library is accessible by simply clicking on the “Create” button on the YouTube homepage and selecting “Audio Library” from the drop-down menu. Some of the key features of the YouTube Audio Library include:
- Over 150,000 free music tracks in various genres
- Tracks can be sorted by genre, mood, instrument, duration, and attribution
- Easy to download and use the music tracks in your videos
- Tracks that require attribution include clear guidance on how to give credit to the artist
One of the best things about the YouTube Audio Library is that it is completely free to use, and the tracks are automatically cleared for use in YouTube videos. This saves you time and hassle of contacting individual artists for permission to use their music.
2. Free Music Archive
Free Music Archive is a popular website that offers a vast array of free music tracks that are ideal for use in YouTube videos. The website is run by WFMU, a radio station in New Jersey, and is supported by various organizations, including the National Endowment for the Arts. Here are some key features of Free Music Archive:
- A collection of over 10,000 free music tracks that can be used in various creative projects
- Tracks can be sorted by genre, mood, and instrument
- Easy to download and use tracks in your projects
- Tracks are available under various Creative Commons licenses, so be sure to check the license terms before using them
The Free Music Archive is a great resource for YouTubers who are looking for unique and eclectic music tracks to use in their videos. With a collection of over 10,000 tracks, there is sure to be something that matches your video’s tone and mood.
3. Bensound
Bensound is a popular website that offers a vast array of free music tracks that can be used in YouTube videos. The website is run by French musician Benjamin Tissot, who composes all the tracks himself. Here are some key features of Bensound:
- A collection of over 200 free music tracks that can be used in YouTube videos
- Tracks can be sorted by genre, mood, and length
- Easy to download and use tracks in your videos
- All tracks are royalty-free, which means that you can use them without worrying about copyright claims
Bensound is a great resource for YouTubers who are looking for professional and high-quality music tracks to use in their videos. With a collection of over 200 tracks, there is a good chance that you will find something that matches your video’s tone and mood.
4. Epidemic Sound
Epidemic Sound is a professional music library that offers a vast collection of high-quality music tracks that can be used in YouTube videos. The website is aimed at professionals, and the tracks are of excellent quality. However, they require a subscription fee to use. Here are some key features of Epidemic Sound:
- Over 30,000 high-quality music tracks that can be used in various creative projects, including YouTube videos
- Tracks can be sorted by genre, mood, and length
- Easy to download and use tracks in your videos
- A monthly or yearly subscription is required to use the tracks
Epidemic Sound is a great resource for professional YouTubers who are looking for high-quality music tracks to enhance their videos. While it does require a subscription fee, the quality of the tracks is well worth the cost.
Conclusion
With so many websites offering free music tracks for YouTube videos, there is no excuse for using copyrighted music without permission. By using one of the websites listed above, you can find the perfect music that matches your video’s mood and tone, while also staying legal and avoiding copyright claims. So go ahead and explore these websites and find the perfect music for your next YouTube video.
Best Practices for Adding Music to YouTube Videos While Avoiding Copyright Infringement
Adding music to your YouTube videos can enhance their quality, increase watch time, and make them more appealing to viewers. However, it’s essential to respect copyright laws and make sure that the music you use is not copyrighted. Here are some best practices for adding music to YouTube videos while avoiding copyright infringement.
Understand Copyright Law
Before you add any music to your YouTube videos, it’s crucial to understand copyright laws. Most music is protected by copyright, meaning the creator has exclusive rights to its use and distribution. Using copyrighted music without permission is illegal and can result in a copyright claim or strike against your video, leading to its removal from YouTube entirely.
Moreover, even if you have permission to use a particular piece of music, it’s essential to understand if there are any restrictions on how you can use it. For example, some music licenses may only allow a certain number of views, while others may require you to credit the artist in the video’s description or end credits.
Explore YouTube Audio Library
YouTube has an extensive library of music that creators can use for free. The YouTube Audio Library contains a vast collection of music that is safe to use in your videos without fear of copyright infringement. You can easily browse the library by genre, mood, instrument, duration, and more.
The music in the YouTube Audio Library is free to use, even for commercial purposes, as long as you follow the terms and conditions of the license. You can access the library by clicking on your channel icon, selecting “Creator Studio,” and then “Create” on the left menu. From there, select “Audio Library” to browse the available music.
Use Royalty-Free Music
If you decide not to use music from the YouTube Audio Library, you can opt for royalty-free music. These are tracks that you can purchase or download online, and the license granted allows you to use them in your videos without any restrictions or fees.
One great resource for royalty-free music is AudioJungle. AudioJungle features music tracks from thousands of independent composers and artists worldwide, making it easy to find a track that fits the tone and style of your video.
Another great resource for royalty-free music is Epidemic Sound. Epidemic Sound offers a subscription-based service that gives creators access to high-quality music tracks, sound effects, and more at a reasonable price.
Credit the Artist
If you’re using music that is not in the YouTube Audio Library or not royalty-free, it’s crucial to give proper credit to the artist. Credit can be given in the video’s description or in the end credits, but there are specific rules that you should follow to avoid any copyright infringement claims.
When crediting an artist, be sure to include the following information:
– The title of the song
– The name of the artist/composer
– A link to the original track
– The license terms (if applicable)
It’s essential to credit the artist accurately and consistently, as this can help to build relationships with other creators and artists, leading to potential collaborations in the future.
Use Cover Versions
An alternative to using copyrighted music is to use cover versions of popular songs. Cover versions are when artists record their own version of an existing song. While the song’s composition remains the same, the artist can put their own spin on it, making it unique.
Using a cover version reduces the risk of copyright infringement, as the cover artist will have secured the necessary licenses to produce and distribute the recording. However, it’s crucial to understand that there may still be some copyright implications if the cover version is particularly close to the original recording.
Conclusion
Adding music to YouTube videos can increase their appeal, but it’s crucial to do so while respecting copyright laws. Understanding copyright law, using the YouTube Audio Library, using royalty-free music, crediting the artist, and using cover versions are all ways to add music while avoiding copyright infringement. By following these best practices, you can create high-quality videos that resonate with your viewers and respect the rights of artists and creators.
FAQs: How to Add Music to YouTube Video
1. How do I add music to my YouTube video for free?
You can add music to your YouTube video for free by using YouTube’s Audio Library. Simply select the “Create” button in the top right corner of your page, and choose the “Audio Library” option. From there, you can search for music by genre, mood, and more. Once you find a song that you like, click “Download” to add it to your video.
2. How do I add music to my YouTube video that I already own?
If you already own the music you want to add to your YouTube video, you can upload it using the “Video Manager” tab. Simply select the video you want to add music to, and click the “Edit” button. Next, choose the “Audio” option, and click “Add or replace track”. From there, you can upload your own music file.
3. Can I use copyrighted music in my YouTube video?
You can use copyrighted music in your YouTube video, but you may receive a copyright claim or have your video muted if the owner of the music files a claim. To avoid this, you can use royalty-free music or purchase a license to use copyrighted music.
4. How do I know if a song is copyright-free?
You can search for copyright-free music on sites like YouTube’s Audio Library or Creative Commons. You can also look for songs that are labeled as “royalty-free” or “public domain”.
5. Can I add background music to my YouTube video?
Yes, you can add background music to your YouTube video. You may want to choose a song that fits the tone or mood of your video, or complements the visuals in some way.
6. How can I adjust the volume of my music in my YouTube video?
You can adjust the volume of your music in your YouTube video by using editing software, such as Adobe Premiere or iMovie. Import your video and music files into the editing software, and then use the audio mixer tool to adjust the volume levels.
7. How many songs can I add to my YouTube video?
You can add as many songs as you want to your YouTube video, but keep in mind that too many songs can affect the flow and coherence of your video.
8. Can I use the same song in multiple YouTube videos?
Yes, you can use the same song in multiple YouTube videos, as long as you have the rights to use that song.
9. Can I add music to my YouTube video after I’ve uploaded it?
Yes, you can add music to your YouTube video after you’ve uploaded it by using the “Video Manager” tab. Select the video you want to add music to, and click the “Edit” button. From there, you can follow the same steps as you would to add music to a new video.
10. How can I make sure that my video and music are in sync?
You can make sure that your video and music are in sync by using editing software that allows you to adjust the timing of your music. Most editing software provides a timeline view of your video and music, so you can easily manipulate the timing of your music to align with your visuals.
Conclusion
Adding music to your YouTube video can enhance the overall experience for your viewers. You can add music for free using YouTube’s Audio Library, or upload your own music files. Make sure to follow copyright guidelines, and use editing software to adjust the volume and timing of your music. After reading this article, you should feel confident in adding music to your YouTube videos. Experiment with different songs and genres, and have fun creating content for your viewers.
Thanks for reading! Check out our other articles on video editing and content creation tips.